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{{short description|Historic mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name                  = Prophet's Mosque
| native_name           = {{transliteration|ar|Al-Masjid Al-Nabawī}} ({{lang|ar|ٱلْمَسْجِد ٱلنَّبَوِي}})
| image                 = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Masjid Nabawi The Prophet's Mosque, Madina.jpg
| photo2a = Umbrellas for the Piazza of the Prophet’s Holy Mosque, Madinah, SA.jpg
| size = 320
| spacing = 0
| border = 0
}}
|caption=Top: Picture of the mosque from the south with the [[Green Dome]] visible to the right. <br />
Bottom: A picture of the mosque from the north with the [[Medina]] in the background.
| map_type              = Saudi Arabia
| coordinates           = {{coord|24|28|6|N|39|36|39|E|type:landmark_region:SA|display=inline,title}}
| map_size              = 250
| map_caption           = Location in Saudi Arabia
| map_relief            = 1
| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]]
| location              = Al-Haram, Al-[[Medina]]h 42311, Al-[[Hejaz]]
| tradition             = [[Ziyarat|Ziyarah]]
| established           = {{start date and age|623}} CE (1 [[Anno Hegirae|AH]])
| country               = {{KSA}}
| administration        = [[General Presidency of Haramain]]
| status                = [[Mosque|Masjid]]
| functional_status     = Active
| leadership            = {{ubl|[[Abdul-Rahman Al-Sudais]] {{small|(President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques)}}|[[Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman al Hudhaify]] {{small|(Chief [[Imam]])}}|Esam Bukhari {{small|(Chief Mu'athin)}}}}
| architecture_type     = [[Sacral architecture|Religious architecture]]
| architecture_style    = [[Islamic architecture]]
| religious_features_label = Religious features
| religious_features    = [[Green Dome]]
| founded_by            = [[Muhammad]]
| capacity              = 1,000,000 worshippers<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmn.gov.sa/public/?page=page_927618|title=WMN|access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref>
| dome_quantity         = Many
| minaret_quantity      = 10
| minaret_height        = {{convert|105|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| inscriptions          = Verses from the [[Quran]] and the [[Names of God in Islam|names of Allah]] and [[Names and titles of Muhammad|Muhammad]]
| website               = {{URL|https://wmn.gov.sa/}}
}}

The '''Prophet's Mosque''' ({{langx|ar|{{Script|Arab|ٱلْمَسْجِد ٱلنَّبَوِي}}|translit=al-Masjid al-Nabawī|lit=Mosque of the Prophet}}) is the [[List of the oldest mosques|second mosque]] built by the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]] in [[Medina]], after the [[Quba Mosque]], as well as the second [[List of large mosques|largest mosque]] and [[Holiest sites in Islam|holiest site in Islam]], after the [[Masjid al-Haram]] in [[Mecca]], in the [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] region of the [[Hejaz]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |title=The Siege of Mecca: The 1979 Uprising at Islam's Holiest Shrine |place=New York |year=2008 |page=79 |isbn=978-0-307-47290-8}}</ref> The mosque is located at the heart of Medina, and is a major site of [[Ziyarat|pilgrimage]] that falls under the purview of the [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]].

[[Muhammad]] himself was involved in the construction of the mosque. At the time, the mosque's land belonged to two young orphans, Sahl and Suhayl, and when they learned that Muhammad wished to acquire their land to erect a mosque, they went to Muhammad and offered the land to him as a gift; Muhammad insisted on paying a price for the land because they were orphaned children. The price agreed upon was paid by [[Abu Ayyub al-Ansari]], who thus became the endower or donor ({{Langx|ar|وَاقِف|translit=wāqif}}) of the mosque, on behalf or in favor of Muhammad.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} al-Ansari also accommodated Muhammad upon [[Hijrah|his arrival at Medina]] in 622.

Originally an open-air building, the mosque served as a [[Community centre|community center]], a court of law, and a religious school. It contained a raised platform or pulpit (''[[minbar]]'') for the people who taught the [[Quran]] and for Muhammad to give the Friday sermon (''[[khutbah]]''). Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated the mosque, [[Eponym|naming its walls, doors and minarets after themselves]] and their forefathers. After an expansion during the reign of the [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyad]] [[caliph]] [[al-Walid I]] ({{Reign|705|715}}), it now incorporates the final resting place of Muhammad and the first two [[Rashidun Caliphate|Rashidun caliphs]] [[Abu Bakr]] ({{Reign|632|634}}) and [[Umar]] ({{Reign|634|644}}).<ref name="Syed">{{harvnb|Ariffin|2005|pp=88–89,109}}</ref> One of the most notable features of the site is the [[Green Dome]] in the south-east corner of the mosque,<ref name="Peterson">{{Cite book |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-20387-3 |last=Petersen |first=Andrew |title=Dictionary of Islamic Architecture |date=11 March 2002 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofisla00andr/page/183 183] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofisla00andr/page/183 }}</ref> originally [[Aisha]]'s house,<ref name="Syed" /> where the tomb of Muhammad is located. Many pilgrims who perform the [[Hajj]] also go to Medina to [[Ziyarat|visit]] the Green Dome.

In 1909, under the reign of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Sultan]] [[Abdul Hamid II]], it became the first place in the [[Arabian Peninsula]] to be provided with [[electric light|electrical lights]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The History of Electrical lights in the Arabian Peninsula|url=http://www.suhuf.net.sa/2001jaz/jul/3/ec19.htm|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001160159/http://www.suhuf.net.sa/2001jaz/jul/3/ec19.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> From the 14th century, the mosque was guarded by [[eunuch]]s, the last remaining guardians were photographed at the request of then-[[House of Saud#Third Saudi state|Prince]] [[Faisal bin Salman Al Saud]], and in 2015, only five were left.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=Portrait of Saeed Adam Omar |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_2014-6048-8 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The British Museum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-12 |title='The Guardians' at Leighton House Museum |url=http://theparkgallery.com/exhibition/theguardians-leightonhouse/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The Park Gallery |language=en-US}}</ref> It is generally open regardless of date or time, and has only been closed to visitors once in modern times, as Ramadan approached during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia|COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Farrell|first=Marwa Rashad, Stephen|date=24 April 2020|title=Islam's holiest sites emptied by coronavirus crisis as Ramadan begins|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-ramadan-idUKKCN22612J|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424095439/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-ramadan-idUKKCN22612J|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 24, 2020|access-date=12 September 2020}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|Muhammad in Medina}}
{{See also|History of Islam}}

=== Under Muhammad and the Rashidun (622–660 AD) ===
[[File:Hadith Masjid an-Nabawi Calligraphy 1.png|thumb|A [[hadith]] inscribed in the mosque which says "A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers anywhere else, except for ''Al-[[Masjid al-Haram]]''."]]

The mosque was built by Muhammad in 622 AD after his arrival in Medina.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Prophet's Mosque [Al-Masjid An-Nabawi]|url=http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/articles/154991/the-prophets-mosque-al-masjid-an-nabawi|publisher=Islam Web|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> Riding a camel called Qaswa, he arrived at the place where this mosque was built, which was being used as a burial ground.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=49}} Refusing to accept the land as a gift from the two orphans, Sahl and Suhayl, who owned the land, he bought the land which was paid for by Abu Ayyub [[Ansar (Islam)|al-Ansari]], and it took seven months to complete the construction of the mosque. It measured {{convert|30.5|×|35.62|m|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=49}} The roof which was supported by palm trunks was made of beaten clay and palm leaves. It was at a height of {{convert|3.60|m|abbr=on}}. The three doors of the mosque were the ''Bāb ar-Raḥmah'' ({{Lang|ar|بَاب ٱلرَّحْمَة}}, "Gate of the Mercy") to the south, ''Bāb Jibrīl'' ({{Lang|ar|بَاب جِبْرِيْل}}, "Gate of [[Gabriel]]") to the west, and ''Bāb an-Nisāʾ'' ({{Lang|ar|بَاب ٱلنِّسَاء}}, "Gate of the Women") to the east.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=49}} At this time point in the history of the mosque, the wall of the ''[[qibla]]h'' was facing north to [[Jerusalem]], and the [[Suffah]] was along the northern wall. In the year 7 AH, after the [[Battle of Khaybar]], the mosque was expanded{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=50}} to {{convert|47.32|m|abbr=on}} on each side, and three rows of columns were built beside the west wall, which became the place of praying.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=51}} The mosque remained unaltered during the reign of Abu Bakr.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=51}}

Umar demolished all the houses around the mosque, except those of [[Muhammad's wives]], to expand it.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Atiqur Rahman|title=Umar Bin Khattab: The Man of Distinction|year=2003|publisher=Adam Publishers|isbn=978-81-7435-329-0|page=53}}</ref> The new mosque's dimensions became {{convert|57.49|×|66.14|m|abbr=on}}. Sun-dried mud bricks were used to construct the walls of the enclosure. Besides strewing pebbles on the floor, the roof's height was increased to {{convert|5.6|m|abbr=on}}. Umar constructed three more gates for entrance. He also added ''Al-Buṭayḥah'' ({{Lang|ar|ٱلْبُطَيْحَة}}) for people to recite poetry.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=54}}

The third Rashidun caliph [[Uthman]] demolished the mosque in 649. Ten months were spent in building the new rectangular shaped mosque whose face was turned towards the [[Kaaba]] in Mecca. The new mosque measured {{convert|81.40|×|62.58|m|abbr=on}}. The number of gates as well as their names remained the same.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=55}} The enclosure was made of stones laid in mortar. The palm trunk columns were replaced by stone columns which were joined by iron clamps. [[Teakwood]] was used in reconstructing the ceiling filza.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=56}}

=== Under subsequent Islamic states (660–1517) ===
[[File:Medina Grab des Propheten.JPG|thumb|The mosque during the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Era]], in the 19th century]]

In 706 or 707, the [[Umayyad]] caliph [[al-Walid I]] ({{reign|705|715}}) instructed his governor of Medina, the future caliph [[Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz]], to significantly enlarge the mosque.{{sfn|Hillenbrand|1994|p=73}}{{sfn|Munt|2014|p=106}} According to the architectural historian Robert Hillenbrand, the building of a large scale mosque in Medina, the original center of the caliphate, was an "acknowledgement" by al-Walid of "his own roots and those of Islam itself" and possibly an attempt to appease Medinan resentment at the loss of the city's political importance to [[Bilad al-Sham|Syria]] under the Umayyads.{{sfn|Hillenbrand|1994|p=73}}

It took three years for the work to be completed. Raw materials were procured from the [[Byzantine Empire]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=NE McMillan|title=Fathers and Sons: The Rise and Fall of Political Dynasty in the Middle East|date=18 June 2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-29789-1|page=33}}</ref> Al-Walid lavished large sums for the mosque's reconstruction and supplied mosaics and Greek and [[Copts|Coptic]] craftsmen.{{sfn|Bacharach|1996|p=35}} The area of the mosque was increased from the area {{convert|5094|m2|ft2}} of Uthman's time, to {{convert|8672|m2|ft2}}.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=62}} Its redevelopment entailed the demolition of the living quarters of [[Wives of Muhammad|Muhammad's wives]] and the expansion of the structure to incorporate the graves of Muhammad, Abu Bakr and Umar.{{sfn|Kennedy|2002|p=127}}{{sfn|Bacharach|1996|p=35}}{{sfn|Munt|2014|pp=106–108}} The vocal opposition to the demolition of Muhammad's home from local religious circles was dismissed by al-Walid.{{sfn|Hillenbrand|1994|p=73}} A wall was built to segregate the mosque and the houses of the wives of Muhammad. The mosque was reconstructed in a trapezoid shape with the length of the longer side being {{convert|101.76|m|ft}}. For the first time, [[porticoes]] were built in the mosque connecting the northern part of the structure to the sanctuary.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=62}}

According to the 10th-century writer [[Ibn Rusta]], [[minaret]]s were also built for the first time during al-Walid's expansion as four towers were added to the mosque's corners.{{Sfn|Bloom|2013|p=49}} They may be the first minarets in [[Islamic architecture]],{{Sfn|Ettinghausen|Grabar|Jenkins-Madina|2001|p=21}} though it is not clear exactly what purpose these towers served in this early period.{{Sfn|Bloom|2013|p=49 (see also the rest of this chapter for context)}} At the time of Ibn Rusta's writing, only one of the original four towers remained standing. The southwest minaret was demolished in 716 on the orders of [[Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik]].{{Sfn|Bloom|2013|p=49}}

The [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid]] caliph [[al-Mahdi]] ({{reign|775|785}}) extended the mosque to the north by {{convert|50|m|ft}}. His name was also inscribed on the walls of the mosque. He also planned to remove six steps to the ''minbar'', but abandoned this idea, fearing damage to the wooden platforms on which they were built.{{sfn|Munt|2014|p=116}} The project required the demolition of the two northern minarets of al-Walid's time but they were replaced by two new towers at the northern corners of the new expansion.{{Sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=49–50}} According to an inscription of [[Ibn Qutaybah]], the caliph [[al-Ma'mun]] ({{reign|813|833}}) did "unspecified work" on the mosque. [[Al-Mutawakkil]] ({{reign|847|861}}) lined the enclosure of Muhammad's tomb with marble.{{sfn|Munt|2014|p=118}}

In 1269, the [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluk]] sultan [[Baybars]] sent dozens of artisans led by the eunuch Emir Jamal al-Din Muhsin al-Salihi to rebuild the sanctuary, including enclosures around the tombs of Muhammad and of Fatima.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Marmon|first=Shaun Elizabeth|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHbmCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA51|title=Eunuchs and Sacred Boundaries in Islamic Society|date=1995|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-507101-6|pages=51|language=en|chapter=Madina: Sultan and Prophet}}</ref> The Mamluk sultan [[al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri]] ({{reign|1501|1516}}) built a dome of stone over his grave in 1476.<ref name="AMN">{{cite book|author1=Wahbi Hariri-Rifai, Mokhless Hariri-Rifai|title=The Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|year=1990|publisher=GDG Exhibits Trust|isbn=978-0-9624483-0-0|page=161}}</ref>

=== Ottoman period (1517–1805 and 1840–1919) ===
[[File:Masjid an-Nabawi 1750.jpg|thumb|alt=An illustration of the Mosque, 18th century|An illustration of the mosque in the 18th century]]{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2024}}
Sultan [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] (r. 1520–1566) rebuilt the east and west walls of the mosque, and added the northeastern minaret known as ''Süleymaniyye''. He added a new altar called Ahnaf next to Muhammad's altar, Shafi'iyya, and placed a new steel-covered dome on the tomb of Muhammad. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent wrote the names of the [[Ottoman sultans]] from [[Osman I|Osman Ghazi]] to himself ([[Suleiman the Magnificent|Kanuni]]) and revived the "Gate of Mercy" (''Bab ur-Rahme'') or the west gate. The pulpit that is used today was built under Sultan [[Murad III]] (r. 1574–1595).{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In 1817, Sultan [[Mahmud II]] (r. 1808–1839) completed the construction of "the Purified Residence" (''Ar-Rawdah Al-Muṭahharah'' ({{Lang|ar|ٱلرَّوْضَة ٱلْمُطَهَّرَة}}) in [[Arabic]], and ''Ravza-i Mutahhara'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]) on the southeast side of the mosque, and covered with a new dome. The dome was painted green in 1837, and has been known as the "[[Green Dome]]" (''Kubbe-i Khadra'') ever since.<ref name="Syed" /> Sultan Mahmud II's successor, Sultan [[Abdülmecid I|Abdulmecid I]] ({{reign|1839|1861}}), took thirteen years to rebuild the mosque, beginning in 1849.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=64}} Red stone bricks were used as the main material in reconstruction of the mosque. The floor area of the mosque was increased by {{convert|1293|m2|ft2}}.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The entire mosque was reorganized except for the tomb of Muhammad, the three altars, the pulpit and the Suleymaniye minaret. On the walls, verses from the [[Quran]] were inscribed in [[Islamic calligraphy]]. On the northern side of the mosque, a ''[[madrasah]]'' was built for teaching the Qur'an.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=65}} An [[Wudu|ablution]] site was added to the north side. The prayer place on the south side was doubled in width, and covered with small domes. The interiors of the domes were decorated with verses from the Qur'an and couplets from the poem ''[[Qasida al-Burda|Kaside-i Bürde]]''. The ''[[Qibla|qibli]]'' wall was covered with polished tiles with lines inscribed from the Qur'an. The places of prayer and courtyard were paved with marble and red stone. The fifth minaret, ''Mecidiyye'', was built to the west of the surrounded area. Following the "Desert Tiger" [[Fakhri Pasha]]'s arrest by his own officers having resisted for 72 days after the end of the [[Siege of Medina]] on 10 January 1919, 550 years of Ottoman rule in the region came to an end.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==== Saudi insurgency (1805–1811) ====
When [[Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud|Saud bin Abdul-Aziz]] took Medina in 1805, his followers, the Wahhabis, [[Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia|demolished nearly every tomb]] and dome in Medina to prevent their veneration,<ref name="Weston2008">{{cite book|author=Mark Weston|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEFsVYLko4C&pg=PA102|title=Prophets and princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammad to the present|publisher=John Wiley and Sons|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-18257-4|pages=102–103}}</ref> except the Green Dome.<ref name="Behrens-AbouseifVernoit2006">{{cite book|author1=Doris Behrens-Abouseif|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A4q58Af5zAoC&pg=PA22|title=Islamic art in the 19th century: tradition, innovation, and eclecticism|author2=Stephen Vernoit|publisher=BRILL|year=2006|isbn=978-90-04-14442-2|page=22}}</ref> As per the sahih hadiths, they considered the veneration of tombs and places, which were thought to possess supernatural powers, as an offence against ''[[tawhid]]'', and an act of ''[[Shirk (Islam)|shirk]]''.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|edition=2nd|publisher=Brill Academic Publishers|volume=11|pages=40, 42|last=Peskes|first=Esther|title=Wahhābiyya|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]|year=2000|isbn=90-04-12756-9}}</ref> Muhammad's tomb was stripped of its gold and jewel ornaments, but the dome was preserved either because of an unsuccessful attempt to demolish its complex and hardened structure, or because some time ago, [[Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab]], founder of the [[Wahhabism|Wahhabi]] movement, wrote that he did not wish to see the dome destroyed.<ref name="Weston2008" />

=== Saudi rule and modern history (1925–present) ===
[[File:View of Masjid-e-Nabawi Gate 21, 22.jpg|thumb|View of Gates 21 and 22, as seen from the north. The gate with two minarets is ''Bāb Al-Malik Fahd'' ({{langx|ar|بَاب الْمَلِك فَهْد|lit=Gate of the [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]]}})]]

The Saudi takeover was characterized by events similar to those that took place in 1805, when the Prince Mohammed ibn Abdulaziz retook the city on 5 December 1925.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-islam.org/shrines/baqi.htm|title=History of the Cemetery Of Jannat Al-Baqi|work=Al-Islam.org|date=23 December 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Weston2008b">{{cite book|author=Mark Weston|title=Prophets and princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammad to the present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EEEFsVYLko4C&pg=PA136|year=2008|publisher=John Wiley and Sons|isbn=978-0-470-18257-4|page=136}}</ref><ref name="Cornell2007">{{cite book|author=Vincent J. Cornell|title=Voices of Islam: Voices of the spirit|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dNKFLJVvNkC&pg=PA84|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-98734-3|page=84}}</ref><ref name="Ernst2004">{{cite book|author=Carl W. Ernst|title=Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DOWn22EkJsQC&pg=PA1173|year=2004|publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press|isbn=978-0-8078-5577-5|pages=173–174}}</ref> After the foundation of the Kingdom of [[Saudi Arabia]] in 1932, the mosque underwent several major modifications. In 1951, [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|King Abdulaziz]] (1932–1953) ordered demolitions around the mosque to make way for new wings to the east and west of the prayer hall, which consisted of concrete columns with pointed arches. Older columns were reinforced with concrete and braced with copper rings at the top. The ''Suleymaniyya'' and ''Mecidiyye'' minarets were replaced with two minarets in [[Neo-Mamluk architecture|Mamluk revival]] style. Two additional minarets were erected to the northeast and northwest of the mosque. A library was built along the western wall to house historic Qurans and other religious texts.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=65}}<ref>{{cite web|title=New expansion of Prophet's Mosque ordered by king|date=30 June 2012|url=http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/new-expansion-prophet%E2%80%99s-mosque-ordered-king|publisher=Arab News|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref>

In 1974, [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|King Faisal]] added {{cvt|40,440|m2}} to the mosque.<ref name="Arabnews2012">{{cite news|title=Prophet's Mosque to accommodate two million worshippers after expansion|url=http://www.arabnews.com/prophet%E2%80%99s-mosque-accommodate-two-million-worshippers-after-expansion|access-date=27 November 2016|work=Arab News|date=26 September 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307071616/http://www.arabnews.com/prophet%E2%80%99s-mosque-accommodate-two-million-worshippers-after-expansion|archive-date=7 March 2017}}</ref> The area of the mosque was also expanded during the reign of [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]] in 1985. [[Bulldozer]]s were used to demolish buildings around the mosque.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expansion of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah (3 of 8)|url=http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/main/h202.htm|publisher=King Fahd Abdulaziz|access-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040815/http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/main/h202.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> In 1992, when it was completed, the mosque took over {{cvt|160,000|m2}} of space. Escalators and 27 courtyards were among the additions to the mosque.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expansion of the two Holy Mosques|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/2002-Winter/Expansion.htm|publisher=Saudi Embassy|access-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114653/http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/2002-Winter/Expansion.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> A$6&nbsp;billion project to increase the area of the mosque was announced in September 2012. After completion, the mosque should accommodate between 1.6&nbsp;million to 2 million worshippers.<ref name="Arabnews2012" /> In March of the following year, the ''[[Saudi Gazette]]'' reported that demolition work had been mostly complete, including the demolition of ten hotels on the eastern side, in addition to houses and other utilities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prophet's Mosque to house 1.6m after expansion|url=https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/photos/prophet-mosque-house-1-6m-expansion-photo-093409538.html?nf=1|publisher=Saudi Gazette|access-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222115254/https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/photos/prophet-mosque-house-1-6m-expansion-photo-093409538.html?nf=1|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
[[File:Gumbad e Khizarah.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Green Dome]] was given its signature color in 1837]]

The modern-day mosque is situated on a rectangular plot and is two stories tall. The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] prayer hall, which is the oldest part of the mosque, lies towards the south. It has a [[flat roof|flat paved roof]] topped with 27 sliding [[dome]]s on square bases.<ref>{{citation |last=Otto |first=Frei |publisher=Bodo Rasch |title=Finding Form: Towards an Architecture of the Minimal |year=1996 |isbn=3-930698-66-8}}</ref> Holes pierced into the base of each dome illuminate the interior when the domes are closed. The sliding roof is closed during the afternoon prayer (''[[Zuhr prayer|Dhuhr]]'') to protect the visitors. When the domes slide out on metal tracks to shade areas of the roof, they create light wells for the prayer hall. At these times, the courtyard of the Ottoman mosque is also shaded with umbrellas affixed to freestanding [[column]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Archnet|url=http://archnet.org/sites/3789|work=archnet.org}}</ref> The roof is accessed by stairs and [[escalator]]s. The paved area around the mosque is also used for prayer, equipped with umbrella tents.<ref>{{cite web|author=MakMax (Taiyo Kogyo Group)|title=Large scale umbrellas (250 units) completed, covering the pilgrims worldwide with membrane architecture : MakMax|url=http://www.makmax.com/news/2012/nw0214.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026072356/http://www.makmax.com/news/2012/nw0214.html|archive-date=26 October 2015|access-date=10 June 2013|work=makmax.com}}</ref> The sliding domes and [[Medina Haram Piazza|retractable umbrella-like canopies]] were designed by the German Muslim architect [[Mahmoud Bodo Rasch]], his firm [[SL Rasch GmbH Special and Lightweight Structures|SL Rasch GmbH]], and [[Buro Happold]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Derek|title=The Confidence to Build|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1998|isbn=0-419-24060-8|location=p 69|page=176}}</ref>

=== The Green Dome ===
{{main|Green Dome}}
The chamber adjacent to the ''Rawdah'' holds the tombs of Muhammad and two of [[Companions of the Prophet|his companions]] and [[Family tree of Muhammad|fathers-in-law]], Abu Bakr and Umar. A fourth grave is reserved for [[Jesus in Islam|ʿĪsā]] (Jesus), as Muslims believe that [[Second Coming|he will return]] and will be buried at the site. The site is covered by the Green Dome. It was constructed in 1817 CE during the reign of the Ottoman sultan [[Mahmud II]] and painted green in 1837 CE.<ref name="Syed" />

=== The Rawdah ===
[[File:Rawdah by Uleke.jpg|thumb|''Ar-Rawdah ash-Sharifah'' is mostly crowded with worshippers, and movement is restricted by policemen at all times]]

''Ar-Rawḍah ash-Sharīfah'' ({{langx|ar|ٱلرَّوْضَة ٱلشَّرِيْفَة|lit=The Noble Garden}}) is an area between the ''minbar'' and the burial-chamber of Muhammad. It is regarded as one of the ''Riyāḍ al-[[Jannah]]'' ({{langx|ar|رِيَاض ٱلْجَنَّة|lit=Gardens of the Paradise}}).<ref>{{cite book|author=Malik ibn Anas|author-link=Malik ibn Anas|title=[[Muwatta Imam Malik]]|chapter=14.5.11|chapter-url=http://sunnah.com/urn/404650}}</ref><ref name="Syed" /> A green carpet was used to distinguish the area from the red carpet used in the rest of the mosque, though it is now also green.

=== Mihrabs ===
[[File:Qibla Nabvi mosque.jpg|thumb|upright|The old mihrab constructed by Muhammad. It was remodeled several times over the centuries, and is currently set in marble.]]

There are two [[mihrab]]s or niches indicating the ''qiblah'' in the mosque, one was built by Muhammad and another was built by Uthman. The one built by the latter was larger than that of Muhammad's, and it acts as the functional mihrab, whereas Muhammad's mihrab is a "commemorative" mihrab.{{sfn|Ariffin|2005|p=57}} Besides the ''mihrab'', the mosque also has other niches which act as indicators for praying. This includes the ''Miḥrāb Fāṭimah'' ({{langx|ar|مِحْرَاب فَاطِمَة|links=no}}) or ''Miḥrāb at-[[Tahajjud]]'' ({{langx|ar|مِحْرَاب ٱلتَّهَجُّد|links=no}}), which was built by Muhammad for the late-night prayer.<ref name="PM">{{cite web|title=The Prophet's Mosque|url=http://www.lastprophet.info/the-prophet-s-mosque-%E2%94%82-masjid-al-nabawi|access-date=19 June 2015|publisher=Last Prophet|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915021948/http://www.lastprophet.info/the-prophet-s-mosque-%E2%94%82-masjid-al-nabawi|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is currently a dead link and may not be sufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=January 2024}}

=== Minbars ===
[[File:Minbar at Masjid Nabvi, Medina.JPG|thumb|upright|The ''minbar'' commissioned by Sultan [[Murad III]] is still in use at the mosque today]]
The original ''minbar'' ({{lang|ar|مِنـۢبَر}}) used by Muhammad was a block of [[date palm]] wood. This was replaced by him with a [[tamarisk]] one, which had dimensions of {{convert|50|x|125|cm|abbr=on}}. In 629 CE, a three staired ladder was added to it. Abu Bakr and Umar did not use the third step as a sign of respect to Muhammad, but Uthman placed a fabric dome over it, and the rest of the stairs were covered with [[ebony]]. The ''minbar'' was replaced by [[Baybars I]], by [[Shaykh al-Mahmudi]] in 1417, and by [[Qaitbay]] in 1483. In 1590 it was replaced by the Ottoman sultan [[Murad III]] with a marble ''minbar'', while Qaytbay's minbar was moved to the Quba Mosque. As of 2013, the Ottoman minbar is still used in the mosque.<ref name="PM" />{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is currently a dead link and may not be sufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=January 2024}}

=== Minarets ===
[[File:Prophet’s Mosque Minaret 2021.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Minaret]] in Prophet's Mosque]]
The first recorded [[minaret]]s, four in number, were constructed between 707 and 709 during the reign of al-Walid I.{{Sfn|Ettinghausen|Grabar|Jenkins-Madina|2001|p=21}} They were {{convert|26|ft|m}} high.<ref name="PM" />{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is currently a dead link and may not be sufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=January 2024}} In 1307, a minaret titled ''Bāb as-Salām'' ({{lang|ar|بَاب ٱلسَّلَام}}, "Gate of the [[Peace in Islamic philosophy|Peace]]") was added by [[al-Nasir Muhammad]] which was renovated by [[Mehmed IV]]. After the renovation project of 1994, there were ten minarets which were {{convert|104|m|ft}} high. The minarets' upper, middle, and bottom portions are cylindrical, octagonal, and square shaped respectively.<ref name="PM" />{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is currently a dead link and may not be sufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=January 2024}}

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery |title=Pictures related to al-Masjid an-Nabawi |width=200 |height=190 |align=center
|File:'Madinah Sharif' Indian token.jpg|alt1=|An 18th century bronze token depicting the original [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluk era]] dome, where the Green Dome stands today.
|File:SaudiArabiaP25-100Riyals-(1984)-donatedth b.jpg|alt2=|The mosque on the reverse side of a 1993 100-''[[Saudi riyal|riyal]]'' paper bill. The Masjid an-Nabawi is used on the reverse of all 100-''riyal'' notes in Saudi Arabia, with the [[Green Dome]] on the obverse side.
|File:Green Dome of Madinah.jpg|The [[Green Dome]] over Muhammad's tomb, and the smaller silver dome next to it.
|File:Masjid e Nabawi Interior 2.jpg|Interior of the new section
|File:Masjid e Nabawi Interior.jpg|Inner courtyard
|File:Masjid e Nabawi Courtyard Umbrellas.jpg|Courtyard
|File:Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi umbrella.jpg|The umbrellas protect pilgrims from the harsh summer temperatures of Medina. Fans spraying water are also attached to each umbrella pillar, to keep the square and pilgrims alike cool.
|File:Al-Masjid AL-Nabawi Door.jpg|alt3=|"Muhammad the Messenger of God"
inscribed on the gates of the mosque.
|File:Masjid Nabawi Library.jpg|alt4=|The library at the mosque houses several old manuscripts, books and specializes in the preservation of [[Islamic history]].
}}

== List of current and former Imams ==

=== Current Imams ===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steve |date=2022-05-14 |title=List of 8 Imams of Masjid al Nabawi |url=https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/list-of-imams-of-masjid-al-nabawi/#Sheikh_Ahmed_Bin_Talib |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Life in Saudi Arabia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Imam Schedule For Masjid al Haram and Nabawi (Updated) |url=https://theislamicinformation.com/more/imam-schedule-masjid-al-haram-nabawi/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman al Hudhaify]] — chief of imams at Prophet's Mosque.
* [[Salah Al Budair]] — deputy chief of imams at the Prophet's Mosque
* [[Abdulbari ath-Thubaity]]
* Ahmad bin Talib Hamid
* [[Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim]]
* Abdullah bin Abdurahman al-Bu'ayjaan
* Ahmad bin Ali al-Hudhaify, son of [[Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman al Hudhaify]]
* Khalid al Muhanna
* Muhammad Burhaji, guest imam in [[Ramadan]] 2024, appointed permanent imam in October 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=Four new imams appointed at the Two Holy Mosques |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573829/saudi-arabia |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>
* Abdullah Qarafi, appointed in October 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=Sheikh Badr Al-Turki among four imams appointed at Two Holy Mosques |url=https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/645981/SAUDI-ARABIA/Sheikh-Badr-Al-Turki-among-four-imams-appointed-at-Two-Holy-Mosques |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Saudigazette |language=English}}</ref>
* Hussain Aal Sheikh

=== Former Imams ===

* [[Muhammad Ayyub]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taj |first=Ejaz |date=2016-04-16 |title=The Passing of Sheikh Muhammad Ayyoub |url=https://www.islam21c.com/editorials/the-passing-of-sheikh-muhammad-ayyoub/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Islam21c |language=en-GB}}</ref> appointed as Imam from 1990 to 1997 and Guest Imam for 2015 to lead [[Tarawih|taraweeh]] prayers.
* [[Saad al Ghamdi]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shakeel |first=Vajiha |date=2022-01-11 |title=Saad Al-Ghamdi - Biography, Age, Facts, Family, Son, Wife |url=https://thecognate.com/saad-al-ghamdi/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=The Cognate |language=en-GB}}</ref> Guest Imam for Ramadan for 2009 to lead [[Tarawih|taraweeh]] prayers.
* Ibrahim Akhdar appointed as Imam from 1986 to 1995.
* [[Maher al-Mu'aiqly]] Guest Imam for Ramadan for 2005 and 2006, now Imam of [[Masjid al-Haram|Masjid Al-Haram]].
* [[Abdullah Al-Juhani|Abdullah Awad Al-Juhani]], now Imam of [[Masjid al-Haram]].
* Abdul Wadood Haneef appointed as Imam for 1993 only.
* Imad Zuhair Hafez
* [[Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Qari|Mahmood al Qari]] Guest Imam for Ramadan for 2017 and 2018 to lead [[Tarawih|taraweeh]] prayers.
* Muhammad al Qari
* Ali Sudais, Brother of Sheikh As-Sudais

== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|Islam|Saudi Arabia|Architecture}}}}
* [[Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes]]
* [[Holiest sites in Shia Islam]]
* [[Holiest sites in Sunni Islam]]
* [[Islamic art]]
* [[List of burial places of founders of religious traditions]]
* [[List of mosques in Saudi Arabia]]

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jP850CjN_voC |title=Architectural Conservation in Islam: Case Study of the Prophet's Mosque |first=Syed Ahmad Iskandar Syed |last=Ariffin |year=2005 |publisher=Penerbit UTM |isbn=978-983-52-0373-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bacharach |first1=Jere L. |author-link=Jere L. Bacharach |editor1-last=Necpoğlu |editor1-first=Gülru |title=Muqarnas: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, Volume 13 |date=1996 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=90-04-10633-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NdCTI5FqayAC |chapter=Marwanid Umayyad Building Activities: Speculations on Patronage}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bloom |first=Jonathan M. |title=The Minaret |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0748637256 |location=Edinburgh |language=en |oclc=856037134}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ettinghausen |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1uWZAzN_VcC |title=Islamic Art and Architecture: 650–1250 |last2=Grabar |first2=Oleg |last3=Jenkins-Madina |first3=Marilyn |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2001 |isbn=9780300088670 |edition=2nd |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hillenbrand |first1=Robert |title=Islamic Architecture: Form, Function and Meaning |date=1994 |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |isbn=0-231-10132-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=81uo8Vc04gQC }}
* {{EI2 |article=al-Walīd (I) |last=Kennedy |first=H. |volume=11 |pages=127–128}}
* {{cite book|title=The Holy City of Medina: Sacred Space in Early Islamic Arabia|first=Harry|last= Munt|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-04213-1|date=31 July 2014}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|last=Fahd|first=Salem Bahmmam|title=Pilgrimage in Islam: A description and explanation of the fifth pillar of Islam|date=30 January 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=63nBAgAAQBAJ&q=prophet%27s+mosque|publisher=Modern Guide, 2014|isbn=978-1-78338-174-6|ref=none}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=spwm_KmDsikC&q=prophet%27s+mosque|title=Hasrat Muhammad the Prophet of Islam|publisher=Adam Publishers|isbn=978-81-7435-582-9|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xuC1AwAAQBAJ&q=prophet%27s+mosque|title=The Road To Mecca|publisher=The Book Foundation, 1954|last=Muhammad|first=Asad|year=1954|isbn=978-0-9927981-0-9|ref=none}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JnOjC-r2GbwC&q=prophet%27s+mosque|title=Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah, Volume 2|last=Sir|first=Richard Francis Burton|date=January 1964|publisher=Dover Publications |isbn=978-0-486-21218-0|ref=none}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Prophets-Mosque Prophet's Mosque: mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia], in ''Encyclopædia Britannica Online'', by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Brian Duignan, Kanchan Gupta, John M. Cunningham and Amy Tikkanen

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q486080|n=Annual Islamic pilgrimage takes place|voy=Medina|species=no|mw=no|wikt=no|m=no|q=no|b=no|v=no|s=no}}
*''[http://mecca.net/masjid-al-nabawi-in-madinah-live-prayers/ Watch Live Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]''
*''Detailed information on [http://islamicencyclopedia.org/public/index/topicDetail/id/644 Masjid Al-Nabawi الْمَسْجِد النَّبَوي]'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920064246/http://islamicencyclopedia.org/public/index/topicDetail/id/644 |date=2016-09-20 }}
* ''[http://jamiat.org.za/the-curious-tale-of-the-abyssinian-guardians-of-masjid-nabawi-saw/ The curious tale of the Abyssinian Guardians of Masjid Nabawi SAW]''
*''[https://www.spinattic.com/1481/12833 prophet muhammad's mosque 360º Virtual Tour]''

{{Characters and names in the Quran}}
{{Mosques in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Hajj topics}}
{{Holiest sites in Shia Islam}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nabawi}}
[[Category:622 establishments]]
[[Category:8th-century establishments in the Umayyad Caliphate]]
[[Category:7th-century mosques]]
[[Category:Al-Masjid an-Nabawi| ]]
[[Category:Islamic holy places]]
[[Category:Mausoleums in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Mosques in Medina]]
[[Category:Umayyad architecture]]
[[Category:Abbasid architecture]]
[[Category:Mamluk mosques in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures of the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Ziyarat]]
[[Category:Muhammad]]
[[Category:Mosque buildings with domes in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Mosque buildings with minarets in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in the 600s]]