Masjid-e-Nabwi is a Mosque created by the Prophet (SAW) during his relocation from Mecca to Medina. except the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Masjid-e-Nabwi is revered as the second largest Mosque in the world.
Migration to Madinah, Muslims in Yathrib, who by then were numerous, and who loved Muhammad exceedingly, had gathered every day at the way of approach from Mecca, eager to see their Prophet arriving in their town. Many of the them were to see him for the first time.
On 24 September 622, 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal, of the first year of the Islamic Era, Muhammad was seen coming with his party. The Yathribites accorded him a most enthusiastic welcome, chanting, together with their women and children, songs in his praise. Everyone wanted to be Prophet Muhammad (SAW) host, but on his request the she-camel he was riding was left alone until she knelt down in the court-yard of the house of Abu Ayyub, Khalid Ibn Zaid. There the Prophet stayed till he purchased a plot of land, where he built his mosque in Yathrib with two rooms beside it for his residence. His wife, Sawdah, occupied one of the two rooms, and when he married Aisah, she occupied the other room.
The mosque of the Prophet was built of simple material, and its roof, which was made of leaves and stalks of date-palm, was just above the height of an ordinary man. The mosque served asa place of public gathering, a place of devotion and prayer, and as a school where the Companions received guidance and instruction in their religion from their inspired leader.
Soon after, the Prophet replaced the name Yathrib by that of Madinah. By changing the denomination of the town, perhaps he intended to obliterate the memories of the heathen era. The journey from Mecca to Madinah became known as the Hijrah, and the lunar year in which it occurred was later chosen by the second Caliph, Umar, as the first year in the Islamic Calendar.
On arriving at Yathrib, Muhammad Immediately set about his task. He did not allow the truimph of his escape from the Meccan persecution in reaching the safety of Madinah, or the enthusiasm and hospitality accorded to him by his followers, to blind him to the great difficulties he had to face In Madinah. In Mecca, although he was a spritual guide to his followers, and was concerned over their prosperity and well-being, Muhammad (SAW) nevertheless was just an ordinary citizen, holding no authority and shouldering no formal responsibilty. On reaching Madinah, he became the leader of a large community who looked upon him, not only as their deliverer, but also as their guide both in material and spiritual affairs. In other amongst them, and for their safety and protection against all dangers.
Masjid was built twice during the life of the Prophet (SAW). The first time was shortly after he made the Hijra to Medina in 622 CE, while the size of the mosque was approximately 35 x 30 meters, and its height was 2.5 meters. It was restored seven years after the Fath (opening) of Khaibar. A growing number of Muslims by that time demanded an increase in the area of ??the mosque to accommodate more worshipers. Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) paid for the land to accommodate the expansion, which made the mosque about 50 x 50 meters. The height was also increased to 3.5 meters.
When the revelation came to change Qibla to Mecca in 624, the whole mosque was reoriented to the south.
Masjid also served as a religious school, community center, court, and prison for prisoners.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (SAW) said: “One salah offered in my mosque exceeds one thousand salah offered in other mosques besides Masjid al-Haram (Mecca al-Mukarrama)”. [Bukhari]
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Anyone who performs forty salah in my mosque, does not miss a single salah in the mosque, for he is granted liberation from the fire of hell and liberation from punishment.” and he will remain free from hypocrisy. ” [Ahmad]