Was it here that the Prophet Muhammad insisted on paying for land owned by orphans? This is the story of \u0645\u0633\u062c\u062f \u0627\u0644\u0648\u0642\u064a\u0635\u064a in Medina. It is closely linked to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. This great mosque was built by the Prophet Muhammad. It stands as the second largest and holiest site in Islam. Only Masjid al-Haram in Mecca is more important.
The land where Al-Masjid an-Nabawi now stands belonged to two young orphans. Their names were Sahl and Suhayl. When they learned that Muhammad wanted their land for a mosque they offered it as a gift. But Muhammad insisted on paying for it because they were orphans. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari paid the agreed price. He became the endower of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi on behalf of Muhammad. Al-Ansari also gave Muhammad a place to stay when he arrived in Medina in 622.
Originally Al-Masjid an-Nabawi was an open-air building. It served as a community center. It was also a court of law and a religious school. People taught the Quran there. Muhammad gave his Friday sermons from a raised platform. Later Islamic rulers expanded and decorated the mosque. They named its walls doors and minarets after themselves and their ancestors.
The Umayyad caliph al-Walid I expanded the mosque between 705 and 715. It now includes the final resting place of Muhammad. Also buried here are the first two Rashidun caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar. A key feature is the Green Dome. It stands in the southeast corner of the mosque. This was originally Aisha’s house. The tomb of Muhammad is located here. Many pilgrims visit the Green Dome when they perform Hajj.
In 1909 Al-Masjid an-Nabawi became the first place in the Arabian Peninsula with electric lights. This happened during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Eunuchs guarded the mosque from the 14th century. In 2015 only five remained.
The mosque is usually open all the time. It closed to visitors only once in modern times. This was as Ramadan approached during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Muhammad built the mosque in 622 AD after arriving in Medina. He rode a camel called Qaswa to the site. It was being used as a burial ground. He bought the land from the two orphans. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari paid for it.
It took seven months to build the mosque. It measured 30.5 m × 35.62 m. The roof was made of beaten clay and palm leaves. It was 3.60 m high and supported by palm trunks. The mosque had three doors. Bab ar-Rahmah was to the south. Bab Jibril was to the west. Bab an-Nisa’ was to the east. The qiblah wall faced north to Jerusalem. The Suffah was along the northern wall.
In the year 7 AH after the Battle of Khaybar the mosque was expanded. It became 47.32 m on each side. Three rows of columns were built beside the west wall. This became the place of praying. The mosque stayed the same during the reign of Abu Bakr.
Umar demolished houses around the mosque except those of Muhammad’s wives. This expanded the mosque further. The new mosque measured 57.49 m × 66.14 m. Sun-dried mud bricks were used for the walls. The roof’s height was increased to 5.6 m. Umar added three more gates. He also added Al-Buhaidah for people to recite poetry.
Uthman demolished the mosque in 649. The new rectangular mosque faced the Kaaba in Mecca. It measured 81.40 m × 62.58 m. The number of gates and their names remained the same. The enclosure was made of stones laid in mortar. Stone columns replaced the palm trunk columns. They were joined by iron clamps. Teakwood was used in reconstructing the ceiling.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi stands as a testament to faith community and history. Its story began with a selfless act. It continues with every prayer offered within its walls. It is a place of peace reflection and profound historical significance.