Located in modern-day Aqaba, Jordan, Ayla was the first Islamic city established outside the Arabian Peninsula. Founded in the mid-7th century AD during the rule of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, Ayla became an important trade hub and naval base connecting Arabia, the Levant, and Egypt.

The city was designed with a rectangular layout, featuring fortified walls, four gates, and a central mosque. Excavations have uncovered foundations of houses, market areas, and an extensive water system, showcasing its advanced urban planning. Inscriptions and artefacts found at the site reveal Ayla’s role in early Islamic commerce and administration. Though the city declined after a major earthquake in the 12th century, its ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into early Islamic architecture, trade, and daily life.