Dumat al-Jandal
Marid Castle is the ancient stone fortress of Dumat al-Jandal, an important oasis town on the routes between Arabia, Syria and Iraq. In 9 AH, during the Tabuk…
Marid Castle is the ancient stone fortress of Dumat al-Jandal, an important oasis town on the routes between Arabia, Syria and Iraq. In 9 AH, during the Tabuk expedition, Nabi Muhammad ﷺ sent Khalid ibn al-Walid with a force of horsemen to Dumat al-Jandal, where he captured its Christian ruler, Ukaydir, and brought him to the Prophet ﷺ, who made a treaty of peace with him. The castle is far older than Islam, with parts dating back to Nabataean times, and it was used and rebuilt over many centuries. It stands above the old quarter of Dumat al-Jandal beside the Mosque of Umar, and both have been restored as heritage sites.