HISTORIC MOSQUES IN MADINAH ADD TO THE ISLAMIC GLORY OF THE CITY
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara is a place of historic and spiritual density. The landmarks that mark this landscape are so numerous they can hardly be mentioned. Yet each and every mosque and field of this holy sanctuary symbolises an event in Islamic history that is too significant to let pass.
Beyond the Prophetic Mosque - initially built by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) himself and one of the largest mosques in the world with a capacity of up to 1 million people during the Hajj season - there are over 30 mosques where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions, prayed in Madinah.
The Masjid Al-Juma is where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed his first Friday congregational after he left Quba village for Madinah.
It was also known as the Bani Salim Mosque and the Wadi Mosque as the area was part of the Wadi Al-Ranouna. Another name for the same mosque is Atikah mosque.
Of great significance is the Al-Qiblatain mosque, which stands in the village of Bani Salma. Traditions hold that it is from this mosque that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was ordered to turn to the Kaaba as the direction of prayers.
The word “Qiblatain” means two prayer directions. It was in this mosque that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers, who initially prayed facing the “Beit Al-Maqdis” in Jerusalem, changed their direction in the midst of their prayer to the Kaaba following a revelation of a verse. Masjid Al-Fatah is one of the group of mosques known as “the Seven Mosques” which includes the Salman Al-Farsi, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, Umar bin Khattab, Ali bin Abi Talib and Saad bin Muadh mosques. Another ancient mosque is the Sajdah (Prostration) mosque. This was where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) made a lengthy prostration of thanks. The Al-Suqya mosque is close to an ancient well and is now within the walls of an abandoned railway station.
The Al-Sheikhain mosque is located on the road between Madinah and Uhud Mountain: its historical importance lies in the fact that Muslim soldiers camped there the night before the Battle of Uhud against Abu Sufyan’s Makkan forces took place. Another famous ancient mosque is Masjid Al-Ijabah or Banu Muawiyah, which is situated north of the Al-Baqee graveyard.
The Dhul Hulaifah Mosque, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) sat under a tree, has other names such as Masjid Al-Shajarah, Masjid Al-Ihram and Masjid Abyar Ali.
