al-Na‘urah al-Muhammadiyah is one of a number of famous Na‘urahs (pl. Nawa‘ir) that have been present in northern Syria for centuries. Mention of them first appeared in Vitruvius’, De Architectura, Book 10, Ch. 5.;1 however, more frequent mention of them occur within Islamic texts, due to their extensive use within the Islamicate world. The al-Muhammadiyah dates back to the 14th century.

Na‘urahs were present from Islamic Spain (al-Andalus) to Iran and were used to irrigate lands or supply drinking water via aqueducts to towns and cities.

The Na‘urahs of Hamah, Syria, of which the al-Muhammadiyah is one, are very famous till today in the region. They are popular among tourists, as well as to the many old and new emigrants who return home.