teradesa.com The Prophet’s Mosque is one of the mosques that contains an important history for Muslims. This mosque was built by the Prophet Muhammad SAW and it was from this mosque that he began to develop the da’wah and syiar of Islam to various parts of the country.
The mosque, which is located in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, is now the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and the early Islamic caliphs. The Prophet’s Mosque is also the center of worship, religious activities in Medina, and as one of the destinations commonly visited by Muslims when performing Hajj or Umrah.
In the book The Miracle of the Prophet’s Mosque by M. Irawan, it is told that the Nabawi Mosque is the second mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad after the Quba Mosque. The following is the history of the establishment of the Nabawi Mosque and its virtues from other mosques.
The Early History of the Nabawi Mosque
Still in the same source, the Nabawi Mosque was built by the Prophet Muhammad SAW since he first set foot in the city of Medina, precisely where the camel riding the Prophet Muhammad SAW stopped his journey. Previously, the location was a drying place for dates belonging to two orphan brothers, Sahl and Suhail bin ‘Amr, who were later purchased by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Initially, the mosque was only about 50 x 50 meters with a roof height of about 3.5 meters. The Prophet built it with his own hands and then assisted by his companions and other Muslims.
On the wall side, the four sides of the mosque are made of bricks and soil. While the roof of the mosque is made of date palm leaves and part of the roof is left open with pillars made of date palm trunks. For nine years, the mosque was used without lighting at night. However, during Isha time, a little light was made by burning straw.
On one side of the mosque, the residence of the Prophet Muhammad was built. The Prophet’s residence was not too big and no more luxurious than the state of the mosque, it was just built more closed.
Later in the reign of Umar bin Khattab, the walls of this room were repaired with permanent buildings. There is also a part that is used as a residence for the poor who do not have a home.
Renovation and Expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque
After the initial construction by the Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet’s Mosque had undergone several renovations to expand the mosque. According to Abdul Shukur al-Azizi’s The Complete History of Islamic Civilization, the Prophet’s Mosque underwent repairs for the first time in the 4th year H. After that, the Prophet’s Mosque repeatedly underwent repairs and expansion.
In the year 7 AH, the Prophet Muhammad made a policy to expand the Prophet’s Mosque because the number of Muslims was increasing and the mosque became full. He added 20 cubits each to the length and width of the mosque.
The renovation that resulted in the most significant improvement occurred in 1265 AH during the reign of Sultan Abdul Majid. The construction took 12 years. The walls and columns of the mosque began to be beautified with beautiful carvings and calligraphy that can still be seen today.
In modern times, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz had a considerable role in the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. As a result, the area of the entire mosque building is now 165,000 m2. The number of minarets which were originally 4 pieces was increased to 10 pieces. Four of them are 72 meters high and 6 others are 92 meters high. The number of mosque doors was also increased to 95 doors. Now, the Prophet’s Mosque is increasingly appearing magnificent and can accommodate around 535,000 people.
The virtues of the Prophet’s Mosque
The Prophet’s Mosque also has different virtues from other mosques. Ahmad Hawassy in the book Mengais Berkah di Bumi Sang Rasul explains that praying at the Prophet’s Mosque has a reward that is many times that of other mosques. This is also mentioned in the hadith from Jabir RA, that the Prophet Muhammad said:
“One prayer in my mosque is more rewarding than a thousand prayers in other mosques, except the Grand Mosque. And one prayer in the Grand Mosque is better than one hundred thousand prayers in other mosques.” (HR. Ahmad).
In addition, in the Muslim Encyclopedia book by Abu Bakr Al-Jazairi, it is also explained that the Prophet SAW gave special privileges at the Prophet’s Mosque that other mosques did not have, namely the noble Raudhah (garden). This is as said by the Prophet Muhammad:
مَا بَيْنَ بَيْنِي وَمِنْبَرِي رَوْضَةٌ مِنْ رياض الْجَنَّةِ.
Meaning: “Between my house and my pulpit is one of the Raudhahs of the gardens of Paradise.” (Muttafaq Alaih).
Thus, that is the history of the Prophet’s Mosque as the second mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad. Hopefully Muslims can have the opportunity to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and perform worship with multiple rewards.
