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المسجد النبوي
المسجد النبوي (النبي's المسجد) in المدينة is the second holiest مسجد in Islam. Built by Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in 622 CE after his migration from مكة, it houses his tomb beneath the iconic Green Dome. A الصلاة here equals 1,000 الصلوات elsewhere. The Rawdah Sharif is described as a garden of Paradise.
المسجد النبوي was founded by النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in 622 CE (1 AH) upon his arrival in المدينة following the Hijrah (migration) from مكة. النبي participated personally in its construction, carrying mud bricks and stones alongside his companions. The original مسجد was a simple, open-air structure approximately 30 by 35 meters, with walls made of mud bricks and a roof of palm fronds supported by palm trunk columns. The القبلة initially faced Jerusalem before being redirected to the الكعبة in مكة in 624 CE (2 AH). The مسجد served not only as a place of الصلاة but as the center of the nascent Muslim community — it was a school, a court, a social welfare center, and the seat of government. The Suffah, a covered area at the back of the مسجد, housed the poorest companions who dedicated themselves to learning. Adjacent to the مسجد were the chambers (hujurat) of النبي's wives. It was in the chamber of Aisha (رضي الله عن her) that النبي passed away on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, 11 AH (June 632 CE), and was buried where he died, in accordance with the prophetic tradition that prophets are buried where they pass. Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عن them) were later buried alongside him. The first expansion was carried out by النبي himself in 7 AH after the conquest of Khaybar, roughly doubling the مسجد's area. The Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab expanded it further in 638 CE, and Uthman ibn Affan undertook a major reconstruction in 649 CE, replacing the mud brick walls with carved stone and the palm trunk columns with stone columns. The Umayyad Caliph al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik (705-715 CE) commissioned the most transformative early expansion, quadrupling the مسجد's size, incorporating النبي's tomb within the مسجد structure, and introducing elaborate architectural elements including marble columns, gold mosaics, and the first minarets. The Ottoman Empire lavished attention on the مسجد for over four centuries. The iconic Green Dome was originally built as a white dome by the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun in 1279 CE over the tomb of النبي, and was painted green by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II in 1837 — it has been green ever since, becoming perhaps the most recognized Islamic landmark in the world. The Ottomans also built the ornate mihrab, elaborate calligraphy panels, and the beautiful Bab as-Salam (Gate of Peace). The Saudi expansions have been the most extensive in the مسجد's تاريخ. King Abdulaziz's expansion (1951-1955) introduced mechanical cooling and expanded the الصلاة area. King Fahd's expansion (1985-1994) was monumental, increasing the مسجد's capacity to over 600,000 worshippers. It added the iconic retractable umbrella-shaped canopies in the courtyard, multiple new minarets (bringing the total to 10, each 105 meters tall), underground parking for 4,500 vehicles, and the vast outdoor marble plazas with electrically operated sunshade umbrellas. Further expansion under King Salman aims to increase capacity to 1.6 million worshippers.
المسجد النبوي is one of the three مسجدs to which Muslims may undertake special religious journeys, as stated in the hadith of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم): 'Do not set out on a journey except to three مسجدs: المسجد الحرام, my مسجد, and Masjid al-Aqsa' (Bukhari and Muslim). Prayer in المسجد النبوي carries immense reward — النبي said: 'One الصلاة in my مسجد is better than one thousand الصلوات elsewhere, except المسجد الحرام' (Bukhari and Muslim). The Rawdah Sharif holds a uniquely blessed status. النبي said: 'Between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my minbar is upon my hawd (basin in Paradise)' (Bukhari and Muslim). Scholars encourage الزوار to pray two ركعة in the Rawdah and make extensive الدعاء there, as it is considered among the most likely places on Earth for الصلوات to be accepted. Visiting النبي's grave and offering salaam is considered a highly مستحب act by all four schools of jurisprudence. The entire city of المدينة is a haram (sacred precinct) declared by النبي, and spending time there in worship, learning, and spiritual reflection is encouraged as part of the complete الحج experience.
المسجد النبوي is open 24 hours a day, year-round, with no entry fee. The مسجد is يقع في the heart of المدينة and is accessible via numerous gates. Visitors must pass through security screening and remove their shoes before entering the carpeted الصلاة halls. The مسجد is fully air-conditioned indoors, and the outdoor plazas feature the famous giant retractable umbrellas that provide shade during the day. The Rawdah Sharif (the area between النبي's tomb and his minbar) is the most sought-after الصلاة area, described by النبي as 'a garden from the gardens of Paradise' (Bukhari and Muslim). Access to the Rawdah is managed through a reservation and queuing system, with separate sessions for men and women. Visitors should expect to wait, and visits are limited in duration to allow maximum access. The Rawdah is identified by its distinctive green carpet (the rest of the مسجد has red carpet). Visiting النبي's tomb involves passing by the gilded enclosure and offering salaam (greetings of peace) to النبي, Abu Bakr, and Umar. المدينة is also home to several other historically significant مسجدs and sites, including Masjid Quba (the first مسجد in Islam), Masjid al-القبلةtain (where the القبلة was changed), and the Uhud battlefield. Many الحجاج visit these sites during their stay in المدينة, either before or after their الحج or العمرة in مكة. Most الحج packages include several days in المدينة. The area around the مسجد has numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers catering to الزوار from around the world.