The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
Madinah An-Nabawiyyah
The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
One of the largest mosques in the world and the second holiest site in Islam, built by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, or the Prophet's Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in the world and the second holiest site in Islam (after the Great Mosque in Makkah). It is the mosque built by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah after his migration in 1 AH (622 CE), adjacent to his house and following the construction of the Quba Mosque. The mosque underwent numerous expansions throughout history, spanning the eras of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman empires, and finally during the Saudi era, which saw its largest expansion in 1994. The Prophet's Mosque was also the first place in the Arabian Peninsula to be illuminated using electric bulbs in 1327 AH (1909 CE).
Following the expansion by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz in 91 AH, the chamber of Aisha (currently known as the 'Sacred Prophetic Chamber,' located in the southeastern corner of the mosque) was incorporated into the mosque. This chamber contains the resting places of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and Umar ibn al-Khattab. The famous Green Dome, one of the most prominent landmarks of the Prophet's Mosque, was built over it. The mosque played a major role in political and social life, serving as a community center, a court, and a religious school. It is located in the center of Madinah, surrounded by many nearby hotels and old markets. Many people performing Hajj or Umrah visit the mosque and the Prophet's grave to send greetings upon him.
Virtues of the Prophet's Mosque
Many prophetic traditions (Hadiths) highlight the immense virtue and status of the Prophet's Mosque among Muslims. These include:
It is considered by many commentators to be the mosque mentioned in the Quranic verse: 'A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.' This is supported by a narration from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri where the Prophet ﷺ, when asked which mosque was founded on righteousness, picked up a handful of pebbles, struck the ground with them, and said, 'It is this mosque of yours (meaning the mosque of Madinah).'
It is one of the three mosques to which a journey may be specifically undertaken. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri narrated that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques: Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, and this Mosque of mine.'
A prayer performed in it is equivalent to 1,000 prayers elsewhere. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'One prayer in this Mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers in any other mosque, except Al-Masjid Al-Haram.'
It contains a section called the 'Blessed Rawdah.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'What is between my house and my pulpit is a garden (Rawdah) from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is situated on my pool (Al-Hawd).'
It is the best place people can travel to. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best places to which mounts are ridden are this Mosque of mine and the Ancient House (the Kaaba).'
Whoever comes to it seeking to learn is akin to one struggling in the path of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever comes to this Mosque of mine, coming only for the good to learn it or teach it, is like the one who struggles in the cause of Allah. And whoever comes for anything else is like a man looking at someone else's property.'
There is a narration stating that whoever prays 40 consecutive prayers in it is granted salvation from the Fire. It is narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever prays forty prayers in my Mosque, not missing a single prayer, will have immunity from the Fire, immunity from punishment, and will be cleared of hypocrisy.' (Note: This is considered a weak Hadith by some scholars).