Al-Madeenah is a blessed land, purified by Allah from impurities and evils, and preserved from destructive perils. In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us of the distinct honor conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, on Al-Madeenah, favoring it over other lands, namely its routes and entrances being guarded by angels. Neither the plague nor Al-Maseeh Al-Dajjaal can enter, it being protected by the angels who shall prevent him from entering it. It has been narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ stated that Al-Dajjaal will stop at the Sabakhah (i.e., a barren place adjacent to Madeenah), which retains pools of flood water in the northwest of Al-Madeenah. As he arrives there, Al-Madeenah will be shaken with its people, and no hypocrite, male or female, will be left therein. All hypocrites will come out to him. [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. However, he will not be able to enter Al-Madeenah. The emergence of Al-Maseeh Al-Dajjaal is one of the major signs of the Hour. Al-Dajjaal, linguistically, means concealment, because he is a liar who covers up the truth and conceals it, and reveals falsehood. Allah, Exalted is He, will grant him some abilities that are exclusive to Him such as: the resurrection of the dead person whom he shall kill, the time of prosperity and affluence that he will usher in, his heaven and fire, and his two rivers. Moreover, the treasures of the land will follow him, and he will command the sky to rain and plants to grow, and they will comply. All of that shall happen by the power and will of Allah, Exalted is He, as a fitnah and trial for people. It has been narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There will be no land which would not be tread by Al-Dajjaal but Makkah and Al-Madeenah.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. This is a distinct honor conferred upon these two great cities, Makkah and Al-Madeenah. The plague is a fatal disease that causes wounds and ulcers on the body (and often leads to death). It has been narrated on the authority of Aboo Moosaa Al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “My nation shall perish due to Ta‘n (killing) and Taa‘oon (plague).” People asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah; we know the Ta‘n, but what is Taa‘oon?’ He ﷺ said: “It is the mortal strike of your enemies form the Jinn, and there is martyrdom in both.” [Musnad Ahmad]. Reality has attested the words of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, as the plague has spread in multiple lands throughout history, and has not emerged in Al-Madeenah, confirming the words of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. So, this hadeeth also highlights a sign of his prophethood and underlines the virtues of Al-Madeenah and the merits of residing therein..