Beneath the Saudi Arabian sun stands Masjid as-Salah. It is a place of profound importance. Masjid as-Salah is not just a building. It is a testament to faith and history.
Masjid as-Salah is deeply connected with the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. These pilgrimages draw millions to Mecca each year. The Hajj occurs in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijja. Umrah can be performed anytime. Both are central to Islam.
The Great Mosque hosting Masjid as-Salah has a rich history. It contends with the Masjid As-Sahabah in Massawa and Quba Mosque in Medina. All claim to be the oldest. Islamic tradition states that Islam predates Muhammad. Prophets like Abraham are central to it. Islamic scholars say Abraham built the Kaaba in Mecca. The Kaaba’s sanctuary is viewed as the first mosque ever. Other scholars date Islam to Muhammad’s 7th century CE.
In 630 CE Muhammad returned victoriously to Mecca. Ali broke the idols in and around the Kaaba. This ended polytheistic use of the Kaaba. Monotheistic rule began.
Major renovations began in 692 on the orders of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. Before this the mosque was a small open area with the Kaaba at its center. By the 8th century marble columns replaced wooden ones. Prayer hall wings extended. A minaret was added on Al-Walid I’s orders.
In 1570 Sultan Selim II commissioned Mimar Sinan to renovate. Sinan replaced the flat roof with domes decorated with calligraphy. He also placed new support columns. These features are the oldest surviving parts.
Heavy rains in 1621 and 1629 damaged the Kaaba and mosque. In 1629 Sultan Murad IV renovated the mosque. A new stone arcade was added. Three more minarets were built. Marble flooring was retiled. The mosque remained unchanged for nearly three centuries.
Between 1955 and 1973 major renovations occurred under the Saudi kings. Four more minarets were added. The ceiling was refurnished. The floor was replaced with artificial stone and marble. As-Safa and Al-Marwah gallery was included in the Mosque. Ottoman support columns were demolished during this renovation.
November 20 1979 saw the Great Mosque seized by extremist insurgents. They called for the Saudi dynasty’s overthrow. Hostages were taken. Violence is strictly forbidden within the mosque. The events shocked the Islamic world.
King Fahd initiated new wings and outdoor prayer areas to the mosque. The new wing is reached through the King Fahd Gate. This happened between 1982 and 1988.
From 1987 to 2005 more minarets were built. A King’s residence overlooked the mosque. More prayer areas were added. Eighteen more gates were added. Three domes corresponded to each gate. Nearly 500 marble columns were installed. Modern features included heated floors and air conditioning.
The King Fahd expansion included prayer halls for people with disabilities. These halls have ramps and dedicated paths. Free electric and manual carts are available.
In 2008 the Saudi government announced another expansion. It covered 300000 square meters. At that time the mosque covered 356800 square meters including prayer spaces. 40 billion riyals were allocated for the project.
In August 2011 the government announced further expansion details. It would cover 400000 square meters. It could accommodate 1.2 million worshipers. This included a multi-level extension and new stairways. The Mataf around the Kaaba was expanded. All closed spaces received air conditioning. The mosque’s capacity increased to over 2.5 million worshippers.
In July 2015 King Salman launched five megaprojects. The project was carried out by the Saudi Binladin Group.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mosque closed at night. The Umrah pilgrimage was suspended.
Masjid as-Salah stands as a beacon of faith. It has survived centuries of change. It continues to welcome millions of pilgrims each year. It is a testament to Islamic history. It offers a space for prayer and reflection.