“… A mosque based on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand up. There are people in it who like to cleanse themselves; And Allah loves those who purify themselves “(Quran 9: 108).
This verse from the Holy Quran is a testament to the importance of the Holy Prophet’s Mosque (PBU) for all believers. It is the second largest and second most important mosque after the Masjid al-Haram and is widely known as Masjid al-Nabwi.
There are many facts about this revered building, of which you are still not familiar. 10 things you need to know about this mosque:
1. Qaswa decided the place for the mosque
The Prophet’s Mosque (PBUH) was built in 622 on arrival in Medina. The Prophet (PBUH) rode the camel of Qaswa, and he allowed his camel to decide where his modest abode was. Famous personalities of Medina wanted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to stay with them, but he refused them, saying:
“[This camel] will be commanded by Allah; Wherever he stops, it will be my home. “
When Qaswa stopped at the place where the Moque is now, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked who owned the land and bought it from the owners of Sahal and Suhail and arranged for himself.
2. The old city is smaller than the mosque
The size of the mosque has grown significantly: the current size is more than 100 times the original building. This makes the current mosque covered the entire area of the city of Medina from ancient times. Evidence that Jannat al-Baki once lay on the outskirts of the city during the time of the Prophet (PBUH), but now he lies on the borders of the current area of the mosque.
3. There is an empty grave in the Prophet’s room
There was a legend in the mosque that near the graves of the Prophet (PBU), Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) there is an empty grave. This legend was confirmed in the 1970s, when the cover of hujrah was changed.
The controversial theory is that this grave is for Isa (AS), but there is no consensus as to why the mosque has an empty grave.
4. The mosque once caught fire
Centuries after the death of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the majority of the old mosque, including the mimbar (from where the Prophet addressed his people) was destroyed in the fire. The fire was so intense that the roof, like some walls, collapsed, opening the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) resting place for the first time in many years.
5. There is no dome, then two
There was no dome above the Prophet’s tomb (PBUH) more than 650 years after his death. The first dome was wooden, built by the Sultan Mamluk in 1279. The dome, which we apparently are in fact an outer dome; There is another much smaller dome inside with the name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) inscribed inside.
6. The color of the dome was not always green
The dome changed color several times due to repair before it reached its present green shape about 150 years ago: it was white, and then it became purple and remained thus for a long time.
7. Prayers are never rejected in Riad ul Jannah
In the center of the mosque, known as Riad ul Jannah (Paradise), stretching from the Prophet’s tomb (PBUH) to its chair (mimbar), there is a small but special area. According to tradition, prayers and supplications spoken in this particular place are never rejected, therefore pilgrims often try to visit the boundaries of this area.
8. Fatima’s Room (RA)
The items of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were either housed in his own room, or the room of Fatima (RA), which was included in the Prophet’s room (PBUH) after the expansion. During the First World War, the Commander of the Ottoman Empire evacuated many artifacts to Istanbul, and many of them can be found today in the Topkapi Palace, but several items remain without documents.
9. There are many signs in the mosque
The mosque is full of signs for those who believe: every pillar, dome and window have a history and have great historical and spiritual significance. It is known that changes in the design of surrounding objects indicate important parts of the mosque – the signs are not marked so as not to distract from the main purpose of the mosque.
10. There are three mihrabs
In a mosque around the world, there is usually one mihrab, but there are three in the Prophet’s Mosque (PBUH). Imams use the current Mihrab for prayers. Another mihrab came back and is called Anahar mihrab: it was made by the order of Sultan Solomon for the Hamafi-Imam to lead the prayers. Maliki-Imam leads prayers from the prophet mihrab.
The Prophet’s Mosque (PBUH) was more than a mosque: it was a learning center, a stage for many trials and triumphs for the Muslim nation and was a safe haven for homeless people. Its importance in Muslim history has not been placed.