Al-Masjid an‑Nabawi (Arabic: ٱلْمَسْجِد النَّبَوِيّ, "the Prophet's Mosque") is a major Islamic holy site located in the city of Medina in the Hejazi region of western Saudi Arabia. Constructed in 622 CE under the direction of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, it is the second‑largest mosque in the world after the Masjid al‑Harām in Mecca and serves as a principal destination for pilgrims undertaking the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Historical background
The mosque was originally founded shortly after Muhammad's migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. The initial structure consisted of a simple open‑air courtyard surrounded by a wall and a roofed prayer hall supported by palm trunks. Upon Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, he was buried adjacent to the mosque, establishing his grave as a focal point of veneration. Subsequent caliphs, notably Umar ibn al‑Khaṭṭāb, Uthmān ibn Affān, and Abd al‑Malik ibn Marwān, expanded the mosque, adding new aisles, domes, and a minaret.
Architectural evolution
Over the centuries the mosque underwent numerous enlargements under various Islamic dynasties, including the Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottomans, and the modern Saudi state. Contemporary expansions, initiated in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, have increased its total area to approximately 400,000 m² (4.3 million sq ft). The present‑day complex features:
- A large central courtyard surrounded by colonnades.
- The Green Dome (Arabic: القبة الخضراء), a gilded dome erected in 1817 that marks the location of the Prophet’s tomb, which is housed in a marble chamber beneath it.
- Four minarets, the tallest reaching 105 m.
- Multiple prayer halls capable of accommodating up to one million worshippers simultaneously.
- Ancillary facilities, including libraries, museums, and a large ablution area.
Religious significance
Al-Masjid an‑Nabawi holds profound spiritual importance for Muslims worldwide. It is the site of the Prophet’s burial and the location where many of his sayings (hadith) were transmitted. The mosque is associated with several key Islamic rituals, such as the visitation (ziyarah) of the Prophet’s grave and the performance of prayers within its precincts. While the Qur'an does not prescribe visitation of the Prophet’s tomb, the practice has been a longstanding tradition among many Muslim communities.
Administration and governance
The mosque is administered by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which oversees daily operations, maintenance, security, and the provision of services to pilgrims. The Saudi government regulates the number of visitors, especially during peak pilgrimage periods, to manage crowd flow and ensure safety.
Cultural and economic impact
The Prophet’s Mosque is a central component of Medina’s economy, drawing millions of visitors annually. It has stimulated the development of hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors in the surrounding area. The site also features prominently in Islamic art, literature, and educational curricula.
References
- Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, “Al-Masjid an‑Nabawi – History and Development,” official publications (2022).
- J. W. McAuliffe, The Architecture of Islamic Mosques, Routledge, 2015.
- A. H. Al‑Maqdisi, “The Evolution of Al‑Masjid an‑Nabawi,” Journal of Islamic Studies 28(3), 2019.
This entry reflects widely documented historical and contemporary information about the mosque commonly known in English as the Prophet’s Mosque.
