2017_JJ_Grade34_MasjidNabawiFacts

Facts about Masjid an-Nabawi

Majid an-Nabwi means “Prophets Mosque” and was built by Prophet Muhammad (SW) in 622 AD.
The oringial size was 100 feet x 116 feet, the roof was supported by palm trunks and made of beaten clay and palm leaves
It’s the 3^rd mosque built in the history of Islam and situated in Medina
It’s the 2^nd holiest site in Islam after Masjid Al-Haram in Makka
Most notable exterior feature is the Green Dome constructed by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II

Original mosque situated next to Prophet Muhammad (SW) house which is now inside the mosque
In 1909, it became the first place in Arabian Penisula to be provided with electrical lights
After full expansion, this mosque houses the tomb of Prophet Muhammad and the first two calips Abu Bakr and Umar. A fourth grave is reserved for Isa (AS). All located under Green Dome
The tomb of Prophet Muhammad (SW) is located in Aisha’s house which is inside the mosque and under the Green Dome
The Rawdah (means ‘garden’) is an area between the minbar and burial chamber of Muhammad (SW) and is designated by a green carpet and is considered part of Jannah (Paradise) where anyone can make a prayer
This is a picture of a mihrab (semicircular indentation in prayer hall in direction of qibla):

There are two mihrabs in Masjid an-Nawbi, one built by the prophet and another by the 3^rd caliph, Uthman, which is larger and acts as the current functional mihrab
This a picture of the minbar (pulpit where imam stands to deliver sermons):

The original mimbar that Muhammad (SW) used was a ‘wood block of date tree’ with a 3 step ladder. The first 2 caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, did not use the 3^rd step due to respect for the Prophet
This is a picture of some of the minarets or tower used for the calling of prayer:

The first 4 minarets were constructed by Umar. Today there are 10 total minarets.
The mosque enclosure today is 100 times bigger than the first mosque built by the Prophet and can accommodate a half million worshippers