Masjid al-Nabavi (Masjid E Nabavi)

 

Masjid al-Nabavi (Masjid E Nabavi) 

Masjid an-Nabavi (Arabic: المسجد النبوي‎), also called the Prophet's Mosque, is a historic mosque originally established and built by prophet Muhammad, situated in the city of Medina. al-Masjid an-Nabawi was the second mosque built, first being the Quba Mosque, in the history of Islam and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. The current plan of the mosque dates back to the early years of 1990s and incorporates the constructions from late Ottoman era to early and modern Saudi periods. Today the Mosque of the Prophet is an extensive complex of buildings and structures that not only covers nearly all of the Medina of the early seventh century CE; it also incorporates several other sites like Jannatul Baqi and Saqifah Bani Saidah that were located clearly outside of the city bounds.

Muhammad himself was involved in the construction of the mosque. At the time, the mosque's land belonged to two young orphans, Sahl and Suhayl, and when they learned that Muhammad wished to acquire their land to erect a mosque, they went to Muhammad and offered the land to him as a gift; Muhammad insisted on paying a price for the land because they were orphaned children. The price agreed upon was paid by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, who thus became the endower or donor (Arabic: وَاقِف, romanized: waqif) of the mosque, on behalf or in favor of Muhammad. al-Ansari also accommodated Muhammad upon his arrival at Medina in 622.

Originally an open-air building, the mosque served as a community center, a court of law, and a religious school. It contained a raised platform or pulpit (minbar) for the people who taught the Quran and for Muhammad to give the Friday sermon (khutbah). Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated the mosque, naming its walls, doors and minarets after themselves and their forefathers. After an expansion during the reign of the Umayyad caliph Al-Walid I, it now incorporates the final resting place of Muhammad and the first two Rashidun caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Al-Khattab. One of the most notable features of the site is the Green Dome in the south-east corner of the mosque, originally Aisha's house, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. Many pilgrims who perform the Hajj also go to Medina to visit the Green Dome.

In 1909, under the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, it became the first place in the Arabian Peninsula to be provided with electrical lights. From the 14th century, the mosque was guarded by eunuchs, the last remaining guardians were photographed at the request of then-Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, and in 2015, only five were left. It is generally open regardless of date or time and has only been closed to visitors once in modern times, as Ramadan approached during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

• The masjid was built twice during the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ). The first time was shortly after he had made the Hijra to Madinah in 622 CE, with the size of the masjid being approximately 35 x 30 meters and the height 2.5 meters. It was rebuilt seven years later after the Fath (opening) of Khaybar. The increasing number of Muslims by then necessitated an increase in the area of the mosque to accommodate more worshippers. Usman (رضي الله عنه) paid for the land to accommodate the extension which made the masjid approximately 50 x 50 meters. The height was also increased to 3.5 meters.
   
• When the revelation came down to change the Qibla to Makkah in 624 CE, the whole masjid was re-orientated to the south.
• The masjid also served as a religious school, community center, court and also as a confinement for prisoners.
• Anas (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever performs forty salah in my masjid, not missing one salah in the masjid, for him is granted exemption from the fire of Hell, and exemption from punishment and he shall remain free of hypocrisy.” [Ahmad]
• Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "One salah offered in my masjid is superior to one thousand salah's offered in other masjids except Masjid al-Haram (Makkah al-Mukarramah).” [Bukhari]