What echoes within these walls? It is not just prayer but history. Welcome to Masjid As Salam in Medina. This is no ordinary mosque. Masjid As Salam is a window into the soul of Islam’s second holiest city.
Masjid As Salam is near the Prophet’s Mosque. Its location is not just geographical. It is deeply symbolic. The museum aims to enrich visitors’ experience. It highlights Saudi efforts in Mecca and Medina.
Imagine this museum complete. Ten halls will offer rich insights. One hall will detail the Prophet’s move to Medina. Another will showcase the Prophet’s Mosque. A third hall will explore Medina’s historic areas. A hall dedicated to peace in Islam underscores the religion’s core values.
Though construction is currently paused, the vision remains. The Al-Salam Museum will cover 17,400 square metres. Its objective is clear. It will be a cultural landmark for visitors. It enhances their understanding of Medina’s rich past.
Al-Salam Museum aims to bridge the gap between devotion and knowledge. It allows pilgrims to deepen their appreciation. They can learn about Islam’s history and culture.
The Prophet’s Mosque is central to Medina’s identity. Muhammad himself helped build it. The land belonged to orphans. He insisted on paying for it. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari paid the price. He became the mosque’s endower.
Initially, the mosque was an open-air space. It served as a community center. It was a court and a school. Rulers expanded it over time. They added walls, doors and minarets. The Green Dome marks Muhammad’s tomb. Pilgrims visit it during Hajj.
In 1909, the mosque got electric lights. Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II made it happen. Eunuchs guarded the mosque since the 14th century.
Muhammad built the original mosque in 622 AD. He rode his camel Qaswa to the site. It was then a burial ground. The mosque took seven months to build. It had three doors. The qiblah faced Jerusalem initially.
Later expansions changed the mosque. Umar demolished houses to enlarge it. Uthman rebuilt it with a face toward Mecca.
The Umayyad caliph al-Walid I greatly enlarged the mosque. He used materials from the Byzantine Empire. He incorporated Muhammad’s tomb.
The Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi extended it northward. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilt walls. He added a minaret. Sultan Mahmud II built “the Purified Residence”. He covered it with the Green Dome.
Wahhabis once took Medina in 1805. They destroyed tombs but spared the Green Dome. Saudi Arabia later made major changes. King Abdulaziz added new wings. King Fahd expanded the area in 1985.
Today, the mosque is a vast structure. It can accommodate millions. It has sliding domes and umbrella tents. These were designed by Mahmoud Bodo Rasch.
The Rawdah is between the minbar and Muhammad’s tomb. It is considered a garden of paradise.
The mosque has two mihrabs. One was built by Muhammad. Another was built by Uthman. The mosque also features multiple minarets.
Masjid As Salam is not just a museum. It is a testament to Medina’s enduring legacy. Its construction reflects a commitment. It shows a commitment to preserving and sharing Islamic culture. As you leave, remember the stories. They echo within these walls. They connect the past to the present. They offer a vision of peace for the future.