Interesting Facts about Al Masjid an Nabawi

Al Masjid an Nabawi is the world’s second-largest mosque and is also referred to as the Prophet’s Mosque. This holy site holds religious and historical importance in the Islamic community and is located in the heart of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Every year, millions of Muslims visit here to pay their respect and seek forgiveness for their sins. Are you curious to learn more about this mosque? Then scroll down below to attain insights on Al Masjid an Nabawi.

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History of Al Masjid an Nabawi

Al Masjid an Nabawi was built by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) after he migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the mosque’s construction. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) migration, the Muslim community welcomed him and asked the Messenger of Allah to stay with them. However, the camel, al-Qaswa, on which Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was riding, was blocked by the people, to which the Prophet said, asking the people to allow the camel to go, for she is heading towards a destination under the command of Allah. Then al-Qawsa stopped at a large courtyard, owned by two orphans, Sail and Suhayl.

As the two boys learned about the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) intention of building a mosque, they offered the land as a gift. However, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) bought the land with 10 dinars, which was paid by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq. After purchasing the land, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) ordered the Muhajireen and Ansar to clean the bushes and land, and the graves of the idolaters were exhumed, after which the construction work for the Al Masjid an Nabwi started.

Development of the Mosque Over Time

The expansion of the mosque occurred over time, as after the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) completed the mosque’s construction, a series of renovations took place, resulting in it becoming the second-largest mosque in the world.

The first expansion took place in the 7th century, when Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab expanded the space of the mosque to accommodate the growing number of worshippers.
The second expansion took place in the 8th century, which was done by Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, by reconstructing the mosque architecture with wood and stone.
The mosque underwent decorative additions and minor renovations back in the Umayyad & Abbasid eras.
The third expansion during the Ottoman era, by Sultan Abdulmajid I, involved redesigning the mosque and adding a green dome to the structure.
The last expansion was undertaken by the Saudi rulers and King Abdulaziz between the 20th and 21st centuries, accommodating 1 million worshippers and featuring modern amenities such as retractable domes, escalators, and air conditioning systems.

Importance of Al Masjid an Nabawi

Al Masjid an Nabawi is the second largest and holiest mosque in the world, which welcomes millions of pilgrims from different corners of the world. The architectural styles of the mosque and other amenities help in serving the Muslim pilgrims and allowing them to recite the Holy Quran and offer their prayers to Allah. As stated in Surah Al-Taubah, 108 of the Holy Quran, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy where the people stand to pray. The pilgrims in it love to clean and purify themselves, which makes Allah happy, as he loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. It is also considered sacred as the burial of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), along with Abu Bakr and Umar, is placed inside the Green dome. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has also stated that “Whoever visits me after my death is like he who has visited me during my life”.

10 Interesting Facts about Al Masjid an Nabawi

Here are the seven interesting facts about Al Masjid an Nabawi that will help you learn about this historical landmark.

The expansion and remodelling occurred many times, turning it from a mud structure to the second-largest mosque in the world.
It was one of the first buildings in the Arabian Peninsula to get electricity.
The Green Dome present in Al Masjid an Nabawi was earlier white, but was later turned green during the Ottoman era.
The first imam of the Al Masjid an Nabawi was Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who delivered many sermons and prayers.
The burial place of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is called Roda Rasool.
Non-muslims are forbidden to enter Al Masjid an Nabawi, as it is a sacred ground in the Islamic religion.
It is believed that Allah rewards pilgrims for praying at Al Masjid an Nabawi rather than praying at other mosques a thousand times.
In the premises of Al Masjid an Nabawi, there are 27 movable domes that are not just decorative elements but are featured with technologies like ventilation, temperature control and light management.
One can witness the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, weighing around 35 tons, at the mosque.
There is a fourth empty grave beside Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Abu Bakr and Umar, reserved for Isa.

Conclusion:

The mosque, initially constructed by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, has become the second-largest mosque in the world, allowing Muslims from different corners of the world to visit it. Over the years, it has undergone many expansions and modifications, resulting in its present structure. One can visit and pray here to seek the blessings of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

So if you are eager towards travelling to this holy site to gain spiritual reward, besides elevating your belief and cleansing your soul, you can check our Umrah packages. We offer a wide array of Umrah packages based on comfort, travel and accommodation. You can also contact our travel expert to design an itinerary based on your budget and preferences.