Eight Interesting Facts About the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque
When the Hajj season approaches, millions of pilgrims from around the world will visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The hearts of all Muslims arriving in radiant Medina are drawn to the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque. Let us share some facts about this mosque that are little known to the general public.
- The area of the modern mosque is larger than that of old Medina
The size of the modern mosque is one hundred times that of the very first structure built as the House of Allah on this site. In fact, the mosque now encompasses the entire area of the old city. This is evidenced by the location of the Jannat al-Baqi‘ cemetery; during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, it lay on the outskirts of the city, whereas today it adjoins the mosque walls.
- There used to be no dome over the Prophet’s ﷺ grave; now there are two
For nearly 650 years after the Prophet ﷺ passed away, there was no dome over the chamber where the Messenger of the Almighty ﷺ and his Caliphs rest. It was first erected by a Mamluk Sultan in 1279. The initial dome was made of wood. The green dome seen today is an outer shell; beneath it lies a smaller dome, the interior of which bears the inscribed names of the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and Umar.
- The dome used to be blue-violet
The dome acquired its current appearance about 150 years ago. Prior to that, it underwent numerous repairs and color changes. At one time, the dome was white, but for the most part, it was blue-violet – a colour favored by the Arabs of the Hejaz.
- What lies within the chamber of the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter, Fatima?
The Prophet’s ﷺ belongings were kept in his room as well as in the room of his daughter, Fatima. During a major expansion project, these two rooms were merged. During World War I, Medina was under siege and the Ottomans secretly evacuated many valuable relics to Istanbul, where they remain housed in the Topkapi Palace to this day.
- The electrification of the Arabian Peninsula began with the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque
When electrification work began on the Arabian Peninsula, the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque was the first site to be connected to the power grid. This took place in 1910. Notably, electricity was not installed in the Sultan’s palace in Istanbul until several years later.
- Zamzam water is delivered daily from Mecca to the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque
120 tons of Zamzam water are transported daily from Mecca to the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque. The water arrives in massive tanker trucks and is used to fill plastic containers that are then distributed throughout the mosque. During the Hajj season, when the number of people surges, the volume of water delivered increases accordingly; up to 250 tons of Zamzam water are brought in daily during this period.
- The Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque houses one of the best places on Earth
The most honoured area within the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque is the Rawdah, which is considered one of the best places on Earth. The word Rawdah translates from Arabic as “Garden of Paradise”. It is bordered on the east by the room of Aisha, on the west by the Prophet’s ﷺ minbar (pulpit), on the south by the mosque wall containing the mihrab (prayer niche), and on the north by the passageway extending from the edge of Aisha’s home. A hadith states: “Between my house and my pulpit lies the Rawdah – one of the gardens of Paradise.” (Narrated by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Scholars interpret the word Rawdah in the following ways:
- In this place, the worshiper experiences peace and happiness derived from the divine mercy being bestowed. 2. Worship performed here becomes a means of attaining Paradise in the Eternal Life. 3. In the Hereafter, this very spot will be one of the places within Paradise.
- The reward for prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ equals the reward for 1,000 prayers in other mosques
A prayer performed in the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque is equivalent to a thousand prayers performed elsewhere, with the exception of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Other good deeds performed here are also multiplied a thousandfold.
The Messenger of the Lord ﷺ said, “A prayer in the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque is better than a thousand prayers performed in other mosques, except for the Mosque of the Kaaba.” (Narrated by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Some Hadith state that a prayer performed in this mosque is equivalent to one hundred thousand prayers performed elsewhere.
Therefore, one should cherish this opportunity and strive in worship and good deeds while present in the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque.
May the Almighty grant us all this opportunity! Amin.
