مسجد محمد بن إبراهيم بن حماد

“Lost in thought, haven’t you noticed this architectural marvel?” a voice startled me. We stood before the Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque. This mosque, nestled in Riyadh’s Al Bat’ha district, isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a living testament to the city’s rich history and enduring faith. The Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque was originally known as the Dakhna Grand Mosque. It was established in 1773 by Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh. Imagine Riyadh back then, a walled town, ruled by Imam Abdulaziz ibn Muhammad. This mosque quickly became a hub for Hanbali Sunni scholars. It earned the surrounding Dakhna quarter the nickname, “Hayy al-Ulema”, meaning “neighborhood of the scholars”. The mosque we see today is the result of several renovations. The most recent one, between 2001 and 2005, was part of the Qasr Al Hukm District Development Project. The Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque has a unique square minaret attached to the main building, with a winding staircase wrapping around it. Inside, the prayer hall is a grid of twenty-five squares, each nine meters wide. The columns aren’t just structural supports. They cleverly house air conditioning channels, keeping worshippers comfortable. The mosque’s namesake, Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh, served as the imam here. He was appointed by King Abdulaziz ibn Saud himself, after the previous imam passed away in 1921. Later, Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh became Saudi Arabia’s first Grand Mufti, a prestigious position he held while continuing his duties at the mosque. So, the next time you’re near Souq al-Zal, take a moment to appreciate the Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque. It’s more than just a beautiful building. It’s a beacon of knowledge, a symbol of Riyadh’s past, and a testament to the enduring power of faith.