Imagine the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. This is not just a building. It is a center of faith. It is also a place with deep historical roots.
The Prophet’s Mosque stands as the second holiest site in Islam. Only Masjid al-Haram in Mecca is holier. Muhammad himself helped build this mosque in 622 AD. It became a key part of Medina.
Originally, the Prophet’s Mosque was a simple open-air space. It served many purposes. It was a community center. It was a court of law. Also, it was a religious school. Muhammad taught here. He shared the Quran. The mosque’s land belonged to two young orphans. They offered it as a gift. But Muhammad insisted on paying for it. He did not want to take advantage of them.
Over time, Islamic leaders expanded the Prophet’s Mosque. They added decorations. They named walls and doors after themselves. One major change was during the rule of Caliph al-Walid I. He added the final resting place of Muhammad. Also, he added the first two Rashidun caliphs. These were Abu Bakr and Umar.
One striking feature of the Prophet’s Mosque is the Green Dome. It sits in the southeast corner. This was once Aisha’s house. Now, it marks Muhammad’s tomb. Pilgrims often visit Medina to see the Green Dome.
In 1909, the Prophet’s Mosque became the first place in Arabia with electric lights. This was under Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Eunuchs guarded the mosque for centuries. The last ones were photographed in 2015.
Muhammad arrived in Medina on a camel named Qaswa. He built the mosque on a burial ground. It took seven months to build. The mosque measured 30.5 m × 35.62 m. Its roof was made of clay and palm leaves.
The Prophet’s Mosque had three doors. These were Bab ar-Rahmah. Also, Bab Jibril. And Bab an-Nisa. The qiblah wall faced Jerusalem at first. Later, it changed to face the Kaaba in Mecca.
Caliph Umar demolished houses around the mosque. He wanted to expand it. The new mosque was 57.49 m × 66.14 m. He added three more gates. Also, he added Al-Butayhah for reciting poetry.
Caliph Uthman rebuilt the mosque in 649. It now faced the Kaaba. The mosque measured 81.40 m × 62.58 m. Stone columns replaced palm trunks.
Caliph al-Walid I enlarged the mosque significantly. He used materials from the Byzantine Empire. Mosaics and craftsmen came from Greece and Egypt. The mosque’s area increased greatly.
Al-Walid I included the graves of Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Umar. Minarets were also built. These may be the first minarets in Islamic architecture.
The Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi extended the mosque to the north. Caliph al-Ma’mun did unspecified work on the mosque. Al-Mutawakkil lined Muhammad’s tomb with marble.
In 1269, Mamluk sultan Baybars rebuilt the sanctuary. Sultan al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri built a stone dome over Muhammad’s grave in 1476.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilt the east and west walls. He added a new minaret. Also, he placed a steel-covered dome on Muhammad’s tomb.
In 1817, Sultan Mahmud II built “the Purified Residence.” It was covered with a new dome. This dome was painted green in 1837. It became known as the “Green Dome.”
When Saud bin Abdul-Aziz took Medina in 1805, his followers destroyed tombs and domes. They saw it as preventing their veneration. However, they preserved the Green Dome.
In modern times, the mosque has undergone many changes. Kings of Saudi Arabia have expanded it. They have added new wings and minarets. The mosque can now hold millions of worshippers.
Today, the Prophet’s Mosque has sliding domes and umbrella tents. These were designed by Mahmoud Bodo Rasch.
The Rawdah is a special area in the mosque. It is considered one of the “Gardens of Paradise.”
The Prophet’s Mosque has two mihrabs. One was built by Muhammad. The other by Uthman. The mosque also has multiple minbars.
The Prophet’s Mosque stands as a testament to history. It also shows deep religious meaning. It remains a central place for Muslims worldwide. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and its history.