Quba Mosque

Quba Mosque
Basic information
Location Medina, Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates 24°26′21″N 39°37′02″E / 24.43917°N 39.61722°E / 24.43917; 39.61722 (Quba Mosque)Coordinates: 24°26′21″N 39°37′02″E / 24.43917°N 39.61722°E / 24.43917; 39.61722 (Quba Mosque)
Affiliation Islam
Province Al Madinah
Region Hejaz
Country Saudi Arabia
Architectural description
Architectural type Mosque
Completed 622
Specifications
Dome(s) 6
Minaret(s) 4

The Quba Mosque (Arabic: مَسجد قُباء‎‎, Masjid Qubā’), in the outlying environs of Medina in Saudi Arabia, is the oldest mosque in the world that dates to the lifetime of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,[1] considering that the Great Mosques of Mecca[2][3][4][5] and Jerusalem,[6][7] which are believed to be even older, are associated with earlier Islamic Prophets. According to legend, its first stones were positioned by Muhammad as soon as he arrived on his emigration from the city of Mecca to Medina[1] and the mosque was completed by his companions. Muhammad spent 14 days in this mosque during the Hijra praying qasr (a short prayer) while waiting for Ali to arrive in Medina after the latter stayed behind in Mecca to carry out a couple of tasks entrusted to him by the Prophet.

According to Islamic tradition, performing wudu in one's home then offering two rakaʿāt of nafl prayers in the Quba Mosque is equal to performing one Umrah.

Muhammad used to go there, riding or on foot, every Saturday and offer a two rakaʿāt prayer. He advised others to do the same, saying, "Whoever makes ablutions at home and then goes and prays in the Mosque of Quba, he will have a reward like that of an 'Umrah." This hadith is reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Al-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Hakim al-Nishaburi.

Architecture

Quba as it appears from an adjacent road

When Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil was commissioned, in the 20th century, to conceive a larger mosque, he intended to incorporate the old structure into his design. But the old mosque was torn down and replaced with a new one.[8]

The new mosque consists of a rectangular prayer hall raised on a second story platform. The prayer hall connects to a cluster containing residential areas, offices, ablution facilities, shops and a library.

Six additional entrances are dispersed on the northern, eastern and western façades. Four minarets mark the corners of the prayer hall. The minarets rest on square bases, have octagonal shafts which take on a circular shape as they reach the top.

Prayer hall

Masjid al-Quba in Medina; rear view

The prayer hall is arranged around a central courtyard, characterised by six large domes resting on clustered columns. A portico, which is two bays in depth, borders the courtyard on the east and west, while a one-bayed portico borders it on the north, and separates it from the women's prayer area.

The women's prayer area, which is surrounded by a screen, is divided into two parts as a passageway connects the northern entrance with the courtyard.

When Quba Mosque was rebuilt in 1986, the Medina architecture was retained - ribbed white domes, and basalt facing and modest exterior - qualities that recalls Madina's simplicity. The courtyard, is flagged with black, red and white marble. It is screened overhead by day from the scorching heat with shades. Arabesque latticework filters the light of the palm groves outside. Elements of the new building include work by the Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil and the Stuttgart tensile architect Mahmoud Bodo Rasch,[9] a student of Frei Otto.

Landmarks

Imams and khateebs

Mentions in the hadith

Masjid Quba at dawn

The merits of Masjid Quba are mentioned in nineteen Sahih al-Bukhari hadiths; thirteen Sahih Muslim hadiths; two Sunan Abu Dawood hadiths; six Al-Muwatta hadiths.[10]

Muhammad frequented the mosque and prayed there. This is referred to in a number of hadith:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Dinar:

Ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding." 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) used to do the same

— Collected by Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 284[11]
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding. Added Nafi (in another narration), "He then would offer two Rakat (in the Mosque of Quba)."

— Collected by Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 285[12]

Mention in the Qur'an

It is believed to be the mosque which the Qur'an mentions as being founded on piety and devoutness (Masjid al-Taqwa):

Never stand (to pray) there (referring to a place of worship in which the hypocrites had used for harm and disbelief, as mentioned in the previous ayah). A place of worship which was founded upon duty (to Allah) from the first day is more worthy that thou should stand (to pray) therein, wherein are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loveth the purifiers.
— Qur'an, sura 9 (At-Tawba), ayah 108[13]

See also

References

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