Quba Mosque was the first mosque to be built by Muslims. The Prophet himself laid the foundation stone of the mosque and laid its first tiles and his Companions completed it.
Quba was originally a well surrounded by a village. It was inhabited by the Bani Amr tribe. On his way to Madinah, the Prophet stayed at the home of Bani Amr Bin Auf and built a mosque in the area, which he named Quba.
Historical references indicate that the Prophet and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) built the mosque in the first year of Hijrah.
The mosque stands out along the Hijrah Road that links Makkah and Madinah. Located about 3.5 km south of the Prophet’s Mosque, the mosque can be seen from quite a distance.
The mosque witnesses an influx of worshippers throughout the year, but the numbers increase in Ramadan.
The Prophet used to visit Quba quite often to pray at the mosque, especially on Saturdays. It is described in the Holy Qur’an as the first mosque founded on piety.
According to a saying of the Prophet, whoever makes ablution at his home, travel to Quba Mosque and pray will receive a reward equal to performing one Umrah.
The Saudi government has given special care to this mosque and reconstructed it in the best form following Islamic architectural designs, considering its stature and position in the minds of Muslims around the world. It is currently the second largest mosque in Madinah after the Prophet’s Mosque.
The first renovation of the mosque took place during the time of Caliph Othman. Later, Caliph Omar Bin Abdul Aziz added a corridor and a minaret to the mosque. It was the first minaret for any mosque in the history of Islam.
In 435 AH (1043 AD), Abu Yaala Al-Hussaini and in 555 AH (1160 AD) Jamaluddin Al-Esfahani renovated the mosque. It was Al-Husaini who constructed a prayer niche known as the “mihrab” in the mosque.
Quba witnessed several successive renovations between the years 671 and 881 AH (1272-1476 AD), all carried out by philanthropists. During the Ottoman period, it was reconstructed several times, the last of which was during the rule of Sultan Abdul Majeed in 1245 AH (1829 AD).
During the Saudi era, Quba’s outside walls were renovated in 1388 AH (1968 AD).
In 1405 AH (1984 AD) King Fahd ordered a massive project to reconstruct the mosque completely, doubling its area. The king inaugurated the opening of the mosque after its expansion two years later.
The modern Quba Mosque is an architectural feat equipped with the latest amenities while maintaining its Islamic character. The mosque has been expanded to accommodate more than 20,000 worshipers.
The mosque was designed with an inner courtyard with several entrances. The northern section is reserved for women worshippers.
In order to preserve the precious heritage, parts of the old mosque was added to the new structure.
The new mosque has four minarets with a height of 47 meters as well as six large domes with a radius of 12 meters each and 56 smaller domes. Its floor is paved with high quality marble while its courtyards have been covered with sunshades to protect worshippers from the sweltering sun.
The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has deployed additional staff at Quba Mosque to provide various services to worshippers during Ramadan.
THOUSANDS of Muslims, from local worshippers to foreign pilgrims, gather at the Quba Mosque to break their fast and take part in Maghreb, Isha and Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan.
Quba Mosque is the first ever mosque built in Islam. It is located in the southwest of Al-Madinah city. When the Messenger of Allah, (peace be upon him), arrived to Quba, he stayed at Beni Amr Ibn Awf and established the first mosque there. Holy Prophet built it himself with his hands. Even after he left to Al-Madinah he used to visit Quba and pray in the mosque. This he did until his death. Then, his companions continued to do the same. The mosaque had a well for Abi Ye’qob AL-Ansari. Expansions to the mosque have been made during the early Islamic periods. The final expansion was on the latest architectural styles during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, (may Allah merciful to him).
Quba — the first mosque in the history of Islam
Quba Mosque to the south of Madinah is the second largest and prestigious mosque in the city after the Prophet’s Mosque, but claims the first place owing to its importance in Islamic history having been built in the first year of the Islamic calendar.
The mosque contained a well which belonged to Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). It became a blessed place as the Prophet’s she-camel first knelt down there to take a long draught of water after the Prophet’s journey.
The prestigious and unique characteristics of Quba Mosque compared to other mosques are cited in this Hadith narrated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever makes ablutions in this house and offers one prayer therein, will be rewarded the equivalent of one Umrah.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) made it a habit to come to Quba Mosque every Saturday, either riding his camel or on foot and offer two rak’at prayers.
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to go to Quba Mosque sometimes walking, sometimes riding,” narrated by Ibn Umar, and in another narration: “He would then offer two Rak’at”. ‘Abdullah (Ibn ‘Umar) used to do the same.
In the past centuries, Muslims have accorded Quba Mosque much attention. It was renovated by a number of caliphs of the period. The third Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) made the first renovations. Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz built the mosque’s first minaret. It was renovated again in 435 AH by Abu Yali Al-Husaini who constructed a prayer niche known as the “Mihrab.”
In the year 555 AH, several additions were made to the mosque by Kamal Al-Din Al-Isfahani. Successive renovations of the mosque took place in the years 671, 733, 840, 881 AH, and the latest changes were made in the era of Sultan Abdul Majid in the year 1245 AH during the time of the Ottoman Empire.
In modern times, the Saudi regime has taken charge of the mosque by endowing the responsibility to the Ministry of Haj Affairs which made further renovations and added structures to the original design.
The modern day Quba Mosque is an architectural feat equipped with the latest facilities while maintaining its Islamic identity. The mosque has been expanded to accommodate more than 20 thousand worshipers.
In 1984, the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz laid the foundation stone for the historic expansion of the Quba Mosque. Two years later, he inaugurated the opening of the mosque after its expansion.
The Mosque was designed with an inner courtyard with several entrances. The northern section was reserved for women worshippers.
The mosque now has four minarets and 56 domes and adjoined to it is the residence of Imams and muezzins, a library, lodging for the guards in an area of 112 sq. meters, and a commercial center with 12 shops covering an area of 450 sq. meters. The mosque has 7 main entrances and 12 subsidiary ones.
The mosque has 64 toilets for men and 32 toilets for women, and 42 units for ablution.
The mosque is cooled by three central units each with a capacity of one million and eighty thousand thermal units. Quba Mosque is a unique landmark and its white building can be clearly seen from a distance.
