Meaning of the Hadeeth, “Faith retreats to Madeenah”
Question

                What is the meaning of the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “Faith retreats to Madeenah like a snake returns to its hole”?
Praise be to Allah.
    In this 
    hadeeth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Faith 
    retreats to Madeenah like a snake returns to its hole.” The word “retreats 
    to” means to return and settle in Madeenah, just as a snake, when it goes 
    out from its hole, returns to it. Here the Prophet (peace and blessings of 
    Allah be upon him) was saying that this religion will retreat to Madeenah 
    after all other countries become corrupt, just as a snake comes out of its 
    hole and wanders about the land, then it goes back to its hole.  
    

    This 
    hadeeth also indicates that just as Islam spread from Madeenah, it will 
    return to it. Islam with its strength and authority spread from Madeenah, 
    although its roots stemmed from Makkah. Makkah was the place where the first 
    Revelation came down, but the Muslims did not have a state and power, and 
    engage in jihad (battle), until after they migrated to Madeenah. Hence Islam 
    with its power and authority, spread from Madeenah and will retreat to it at 
    the end of time.  

    Some of 
    the scholars said: this hadeeth refers to something that has already 
    happened, i.e., the people came in delegations to Madeenah and went back 
    there again to learn about sharee’ah (Islamic law) and the teachings of 
    Islam from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon 
    him). But the first meaning is the apparent meaning of the hadeeth and is 
    more correct.