Wadi Mullul
Wadi Mullul
A principal rest stop on the Prophetic Hajj route about twelve miles from Dhu al-Hulayfah. A sound hadith records that the Prophet performed cupping at Mullul while in ihram, and field surveys have revealed the remains of a large garrison fort and shops.
Plan your visit
Practical information verified separately from the historical record.
Before you go: Check with the operator or a local guide before departure; field access details have not yet been verified.
Why visit?
Follow the Prophetic Hajj road to a station authenticated in hadith and rediscovered through modern archaeological fieldwork.
Wadi Mullul lies about twelve miles from Dhu al-Hulayfah and twenty-three miles from Medina on the Prophetic Hajj route. The name appears in several forms, including Amlal and Mullul. A sound prophetic tradition, authenticated by al-Albani, states that the Prophet Muhammad performed cupping at Mullul while in ihram on the back of his foot.
In December 2017 the Desert Team (Fariq al-Sahra) surveyed the wadi and found the remains of a large garrison fort, a row of old shops, and residential structures pointing to a once-thriving historical station. No ancient wells were identified, yet the site's position on the route confirms that water sources must once have supported travelers. Pre-Islamic and early Islamic poets also sang of Mullul; Kathir said, "When we were on the highlands of Amlal," and Ibn Hurmaz addressed "the dwelling of Sa'da at the cliff of Mullul." Caravans of the Prophet passed through in campaigns such as the expedition toward Badr.
Wadi Mullul stands out as both a religious and archaeological landmark. Its mention in authentic hadith and the survival of its ruins make it one of the best-documented stops on the road from Medina to Mecca.