The Prophet’s Mosque Over the Ages

Tracing the Development of Masjid an-Nabawi

over the First Five Centuries of Islam
 Background
• Blessed place- picked up by Rasool (SAW) and
he participated in its contruction
• Reward for visiting
• As mosque expanded it included his grave
• Construction was always treated with love and
affection
3
4
 ‫مساحة البناء أو العهد الذي تمت فٌه‬
‫التوسعة‬ ‫التوسعة‬

‫•‬ ‫‪1. Abu Ayub‬‬ ‫بناه النبً صلى هللا علٌه‬

‫وسلم فً السنة األولى‬
‫من الهجرة‬ ‫‪ 1050‬م‪2‬‬
‫•‬ ‫)‪7. Jaafar bin Abi Talib (RA‬‬ ‫توسعة النبً صلى هللا‬
‫علٌه وسلم بعد مقدمه‬
‫‪ 1425‬م‪ 2‬من خٌبر سنة ‪ 7‬هـ‬
‫•‬ ‫‪8. Abbas‬‬ ‫زٌادة عمر بن الخطاب‬
‫رضً هللا عنه سنة‬

‫•‬ ‫‪9 Abdullah bin Omar‬‬ ‫زٌادة عثمان بن عفان‬

‫‪ 1100‬م‪ 17 2‬هـ‬

‫رضً هللا عنه سنة‬

‫•‬ ‫‪Osman bin Affan (RA) and his‬‬ ‫‪29‬ــ‪ 30‬هـ‬
‫زٌادة الولٌد بن عبد‬
‫‪ 496‬م‪2‬‬

‫‪houses.‬‬ ‫الملك األموي سنة ‪ 88‬ــ‬

‫‪ 2369‬م‪ 91 2‬هـ‬

‫•‬ ‫)‪Abu Bakr (RA‬‬ ‫زٌادة المهدي العباسً‬

‫سنة ‪161‬ــ‪ 165‬هـ‬ ‫‪ 2450‬م‪2‬‬

‫•‬ ‫)‪Omar (RA‬‬ ‫زٌادة السلطان أشرف‬

‫قاٌتباي سنة ‪ 888‬هـ‬ ‫‪ 120‬م‪2‬‬
‫زٌادة السلطان‬
‫عبدالمجٌد العثمانً سنة‬
‫‪1265‬ــ ‪ 1277‬هـ‬ ‫‪ 1293‬م‪2‬‬
‫زٌادة جاللة الملك عبد‬
‫العزٌز سنة ‪ 1372‬هـ‬
‫(التوسعة السعودٌة‬
‫األولى)‬ ‫‪ 6024‬م‪2‬‬
‫زٌادة خادم الحرمٌن‬
‫الشرٌفٌن الملك فهد بن‬
‫عبد العزٌز (التوسعة‬
‫السعودٌةالثانٌة)‬ ‫‪ 82000‬م‪2‬‬
‫مساحة الساحات‬
‫المحٌطة بالمسجد النبوي‬
‫(ضمن توسعة خادم‬
‫الحرمٌن الشرٌفٌن)‬ ‫‪ 235000‬م‬
 Houses: #1 Abu Ayoub
• His name was Khaled but was known as Abu Ayyub. He was son of Zaid bin Kulaib bin Najjar. He belonged to
Khazraj tribe. He took part in all the battles. Ali (RU) appointed him governor of Madina. He took part in the
battle of Qabras during the period of Muawiya (RU). In spite of his old age he joined the army led by Yazeed bin
Muawiya to attack Constantinople (Istanbul).
• He remembered the prediction of the Prophet (SAS) and hence very eagerly joined this army. He became
seriously ill during this journey. He requested his brothers to bury him only after they have penetrated into
enemy’s territory. Hence he was buried inside the walls of the city of Constantinople. His grave is well known in
the present city of Istanbul in Turkey. He died in 52H and the commander of his army, Yazeed bin Maawiya, led
his Salat-ul-Janaza.
• As seen in the map his house was in the southeastern corner of the Prophet’s Mosque. When the Prophet (SAS)
migrated to Madina, he stayed in the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari (RU) till the Hujrat for his wives were built.
• Aisha (RUA), “When the Prophet (SAS) arrived in Madina, he got down from his camel near the house of Abu
Ayyub Ansari (RU). He asked, ‘Whose house is nearest from my mother’s relatives?’ Abu Ayyub Ansari (RU) said,
‘This is my house and here is its door. The Prophet (SAS) said, ‘Go ahead and make arrangements for my rest
there.’”
• Aflah, the freed slave of Abu Ayyub (RU) said, “Initially the Prophet (SAS) Occupied the ground floor of this
house and Abu Ayyub’s (RU) family stayed in the floor above it.”
• It is mentioned in Muslim that one night Abu Ayyub Ansari (RU) realised that he was walking on a floor that
happened to lie above the Prophet (SAS). He considered it a matter of disrespect to the Prophet (SAS). He
huddled his family into a corner of the floor he was occupying. Next morning he expressed his serious concern
to the Prophet (SAS). He said to the Prophet (SAS), “I cannot stay in a floor which happened to lie above you.”
Hence the Prophet (SAS) transferred to the top floor while Abu Ayyub’s (RU) family moved to the ground floor.
This shows Abu Ayyub’s deep respect for the Prophet (SAS).
• This house went through many changes in due course of time.
• Malik Shahab-ud-Din purchased it and converted it into an institution that provided education for the four
schools of thought of Islamic jurisprudence. It was known as Shehabia Institute.
• During the thirteenth century of Hijrah, it was rebuilt with a dome and a mehrab and looked like a mosque. A
stone was displayed on it with the following writing: This is the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari (RU) and first
residence of the Prophet. (Rebuilt in 1291H).
 Abdullah Bin Omar
• His house was just east of mehrab as seen in the map. Bilal (RU) used to call
Adhan while standing on a pillar of this house as mentioned in Vafa-ul-Vafa. This
was one of the houses on the south side of the Mosque whose doors opened into
the Mosque. The door of this house was called “a small door of family of Omar
(RU).”
• It is described in Umdat-ul-Akhbar that when all the houses in the south side of
the Prophet’s Mosque were removed this house was treated differently. Walls of
baked bricks enclosed the land of this house and a door was installed in one
wall. It was written on top of this door “the residence of the family of Omar
(RU)”. Beautiful flowers were planted inside these four walls. This garden was
just in front of the face of the Prophet (SAS).
• The site of the house of Abdullah bin Omar is clearly known because of these
boundary walls. These walls were removed very recently in 1375 H during the
first Saudi extension of the Prophet’s Mosque. At present, a small part of this
house is in the southern hall of the Mosque and the remaining is included in the
open space adjacent to this hall.
• The iron window in the visitors’ gallery for Salam is the site of the door of the
house of the family of Omar (RU). This door of this house went through several
changes during the last fourteen hundred years.
 Abbas’ House and Expansion
• An Interesting Event:
• Omar (RU) purchased several houses for the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque. Abbas’ (RU) house was adjacent to the Mosque.
Hence Omar (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Abu Fadhl, the Mosque needs extension. Please sell your house for it and I shall pay you for
your house generously from the government treasury.” Abbas (RU) refused to sell his house. Omar (RU) asked him to pick one of the
following three choices. Sell your house and I shall pay for it fully. Secondly, I am willing to build a house for you in Madina at a site
of your choice. Thirdly, donate your property for the benefit of the Muslims. Abbas (RU) refused to accept any of the above options.
Omar (RU) suggested to him to pick an arbitrator between them to solve this problem. Abbas (RU) nominated Obai bin Kaab (RU)
who used to write the revelations for the Prophet (SAS). Omar (RU) said, “We have both appointed you our arbitrator. We both will
accept your judgment.”
• Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Please relate your side of the story.” Abbas (RU) said, “The land on which I built my house,
was granted to me by the Prophet (SAS). Even the Prophet (SAS) took part in construction of the house. He fixed this spout with his
own hands.” After this Omar (RU) narrated his side of the story. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to both of them, “Permit me to relate to
you a Hadith of the Prophet (SAS).” Both eagerly agreed. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to them that I personally heard that the Prophet
(SAS) saying, “Allah (SWT) ordered Dawud (AS) to build a house where people may do worship. A site was also earmarked for it that
happened to be where Masjid Aqsa is. This piece of land was not a perfect square. There was a house of an Israelite on one corner of
it. Dawud (AS) requested this owner to sell his house in order to build a house for the worship of Allah (SWT). The owner flatly
refused. Dawud (AS) said to him, “I shall take this corner of the house by force to achieve the noble task.” Allah (SWT) said to Dawud
(AS), “O Dawud, I only asked you to build a house for the worshippers. You wish to use force for it. This is not appropriate for My
Highness. Consequently you better give up the intention of building the mosque for the worshippers.”
• On hearing this Omar (RU) said, “You have related something even more stringent than my intention to extend the Mosque.” Omar
(RU) brought them to the Mosque where they saw a few companions sitting together as a group. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to the
participants of this group meeting. “Did anyone of you hear the Hadith about Dawud (AS) pertaining to the construction of Masjid
Aqsa from the Prophet (SAS)?” Abu Dhur Gaffari (RU) promptly said, “I heard this Hadith from the Prophet (SAS).” Another
companion said, “I heard it too.” Now Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Omar (RU). “You blamed me about the authenticity of this Hadith.”
Omar (RU) said, “O Abu Mundhar, I did not mean to blame you. I only wanted that the Hadith become more clear to us.” Omar (RU)
now said to Abbas (RU), “You may go. I shall never say to you anything concerning your house.” At this Abbas (RU) said, “I willingly
donate my house for the extension of the Mosque without any compensation for it. If however you try to seize it by force, I shall not
let you have it.” Omar (RU) got a house built for Abbas (RU) at another site in Madina from the government treasury and part of
Abbas’ house was included in the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque.
1. Resting place of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi
wasallam.
2. Grave of Abu Bakr As-Saddiq RadhiAllahu anhu.
3. Grave of Umar Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu.
4. Place reserved for Isa Alaihis Salam. There are two
narrations regarding the position, hence the two
places marked, however the stringer narration is
that he will be beside Umar Al-Khattab
RadhiAllahu anhu. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
5. House of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha. When
the room contained our Beloved Prophet
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and her noble father
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu our Lady
Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha would not wear the
veil, but once Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu
anhu joined them she covered and then arranged
for the room to be divided. The zig zag line
represents the wall built to divide the house into
two parts, one for her residence and the other
housing the three graves.
6. Place where Jibreel Alaihis Salam often came with
revelations.
7. Walls of the room of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu
anha that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
assisted in building, and which still stands within
the security walls.
8. Pentagonal walls (solid black) built by Umar ibn
Abdul Aziz Rahmatullah alaihi. Made of stone and
having five sides so as not to have the shape of
the Ka’abah. This barrier wall is 80cm wide.
9. Wall built by Sultan Qaitabai Rahmatullah alaihi.
(grey shaded) around the walls built by Umar ibn
Abdul Aziz Rahmatullah alaihi.
10. Columns (green dot) supporting the walls (of #9)
which are covered by green curtains around the
Sacred Hujrah.
11. First window on the western side which originally
was part of the Rowdha Shareef and included in
the Maqsurah, restricted area, during the time of
Sultan Al-Zahir Baibars, the ruler of Egypt in the
year 668 A.H. (the first double set of circular
motifs in the grill on the left in the above photo)
12. Extension of Rowdha Shareef.
13. Now part of the Masjid.
14. (pink dot) House of Sayyidatuna Fatima RadhiAllahu
anha.
15. Mihrab inside the house of Sayyidatuna Fatima
RadhiAllahu anha. 21. Place of the rooms of Ummahatul Mu’mineen. The home of Sayyidatuna Hafsa RadhiAllahu anha was so close to the home of our Lady
16. blue dot, (no number) place of Tahajjud when Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha (on the southern side) that they would exchange conversations while both were inside their homes.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed 22. The column of the bed.
alone, and Almighty Allah Ta’ala knows best.
23. The delegation column.
17. Place of Tahajjud behind the house of Sayyidatuna 24. The guard column.
Fatima RadhiAllahu anha with Ahl Suffa. (and 25. Door of Tawbah. 25B. Door of our Lady Ayeshah RadhiAllahu anha.
Allah Almighty knows best)
26. Window opposite the Mubarak head of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
18. Muwajahah.
19. The circular motif indicating the position of the 27. Direction of Mubarak feet of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Mubarak face of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllahu 28. Doors that are within the Maqsurah.
anhu. 29. Circumference of the inner small dome (blue dot).
20. The circular motif indicating the position of the 30. Circumference of the blue inner dome.
Mubarak face of Umar ibn Al-Khattab
RadhiAllahu anhu 31. Circumference of the Green Dome.
32. External walls of the Maqsurah.
10
Asymmetry of Imam Location
‫•‬ ‫قبر الرسول صلى هللا )‬
‫•‬ ‫قبر أبً بكر الصدٌق رضً هللا عنه ) ‪2‬‬
‫•‬ ‫قبر عمر بن الخطاب رضً هللا عنه ) ‪3‬‬
‫•‬ ‫المكان المخصص لسٌدنا عٌسى علٌه السالم ) ‪4‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مكان إقامة السٌدة عائشة رضً هللا عنها ) ‪5‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مهبط الوحً ) ‪6‬‬
‫•‬ ‫جدار حجرة السٌدة عائشة رضً هللا عنها ) ‪7‬‬
‫•‬ ‫جدار مخمس األضالع ) ‪8‬‬
‫•‬ ‫جدار بناه الخلٌفة قاٌتباي ) ‪9‬‬
‫•‬ ‫األعمدة المدعمة لبناء جدار قاٌتباي ) ‪10‬‬
‫•‬ ‫الشباك األول من المقصورة ) ‪11‬‬
‫•‬ ‫امتداد الروضة الشرٌفة ) ‪12‬‬
‫•‬ ‫جزء من المسجد النبوي ) ‪13‬‬
‫•‬ ‫بٌت السٌدة فاطمة الزهراء رضً هللا عنها ) ‪14‬‬
‫•‬ ‫محراب داخل بٌت فاطمة ) ‪15‬‬
‫•‬ ‫محراب التهجد ) ‪16‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مكان تهجد أهل الصفة ) ‪17‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مواجهة قبر النبً الكرٌم ) ‪18‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مواجهة قبر أبً بكر ) ‪19‬‬
‫•‬ ‫مواجهة قبر عمر ) ‪20‬‬
‫•‬ ‫الحجرات ) ‪21‬‬
‫•‬ ‫اسطوانة السرٌر ) ‪22‬‬
‫•‬ ‫اسطوانة الوفود ) ‪23‬‬
‫•‬ ‫اسطوانة الحرس ) ‪24‬‬
‫•‬ ‫باب التوبة ) ‪25‬‬
‫•‬ ‫شباك تجاه الرأس الشرٌف ) ‪26‬‬
‫•‬ ‫اتجاه األقدام الشرٌفة ) ‪27‬‬
‫•‬ ‫أبواب المقصورة ) ‪28‬‬
‫•‬ ‫استدارة القبة الصغٌرة على القبور ) ‪29‬‬
‫•‬ ‫استدارة القبة الزرقاء ) ‪30‬‬
‫•‬ ‫استدارة القبة الخضراء ) ‪31‬‬
‫•‬ ‫باقً المقصورة الشرٌفة ) ‪32‬‬
‫•‬ ‫جدار المقصورة ) ‪33‬‬

‫‪14‬‬
• Each Hujrah consisted of a small room
and a tiny backyard. The backyard was
enclosed by the branches of palm trees
and unbaked bricks. Blankets of hair
were thrown on them to ensure
privacy in the yard. The door of each
Hujrah was not built from an expensive
wood. Each door had a rough blanket
hanging there for privacy. Hence each
Hujrah reflected humbleness and
modesty.
• Dimension of each Hujrah was
approximately 5m × 4m and the
backyard was 5m × 3½m. A person
standing in a Hujrah could touch the
ceiling by his hand. Hasan Basri (RU)
said, “I had not yet come of age and I
used to visit the Hujrah. I could touch
the ceiling with my hand when I was
standing in a Hujrah”
 Hujuraat..cont
• If Prophet Mohammad (SAS) wished he could have built lofty
palaces. He did not like to occupy himself with worldly life. His
focus was on the Hereafter.
• He wished to teach us that the pomp and show of this life is not
the criterion of success. The real success is the success of life to
come. Hujrat were an extraordinary symbol to teach this lesson to
us.
• Because of this Saeed bin Musayyab (RU) wished that these Hujrat
should not have been demolished during the extension of the
Prophet’s Mosque. He said, “I earnestly wished that these Hujrat
were left as they were, to remind the visitors as well as the new
generations of Madina about the life style of Prophet Mohammad
(SAS) and his contentment with so very little. Owners of lofty
buildings would hopefully avoid bragging about their worldly
assets after their visit to these humble cottages.”
 Why Dome
• To cover large area without columns in the
middle, and in the absence of concrete and
steel bars
• Used for 1000’s of years
• Single and multitier domes are used
Domes in Tiers
Aderne Domeby Senan Pasha
 The Green Dome
• First time it was built during the time of King Qalawoun in 678AH. It was square at the bottom and
octagon at the top. Made out of wood and supported by columns that surround the chamber.
• On top of the wood, lead sheeths were hammered which was then covered by waxed sheets for water
protection.
• Then there was fire during the reign of Sultan Hasan bin Muhammad bin Qalawoon and among the
things that got burned were the lead sheaths. These were replaced during his time. These were also
rebuilt during the reign of Sultan Shaban year 765AH
• The second fire happened during the reign of Sultan Qayitbai in year 886AH. He ordered the complete
rebuilding of the mosque including the dome.
• He ordered the wooden dome to replaced by carved black stones and made its height 18 cubits. Then
built on top of it another dome that contains the inner dome. The stones were sealed by using gypsum.
– Gypsum was not known in Hijaz, so it was carried all the way from Egypt.
• During the reign of Ottoman Sultan Ghazi Mahmood, the outer dome cracked, so he ordered it to be
removed and replaced. He ordered a barrier to be placed between the two inner dome and the
outerdome during the construction so that workers can not see the inner chamber and also to protect
the inner dome from any damage.
• Most people of Madina participated in this blessed mission and the Sultan did not prohibit that. At the
end of the construction the Sultan came to see the achievement and distributed gifts to the people of
Madina and gave each 250 Quirsh 1233AH and it was colored BLUE
• In year 1253AH the sultan ordered to be colored green and from that day it is green.
• It is an annual tradition to recolor. The inner dome remained with its original color of black stones
• There is an opening in the outer dome which on top of the opening in the inner dome. The servants of
Haram used to open it during Istisqa
• ‫ انظروا إلى قبر‬:‫فقد روى الدارمي في صحيحه عن أبي الجوزاء قال قحط أهل المدينة فشكوا إلى السيدة عائشة بنت الصديق فقالت‬
‫الرسول صلى هللا عليه وسلم فاجعلوا منه كوة إلى السماء حتى ال يكون بينه وبين السماء سقف ثم استسقوا ففعلوا فأمطرت السماء‬.
22