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Qubaa’ Mosque is the first mosque that was ever built
in Islam. It was designed by the hand of the Messenger of Allah,
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, after he reached that spot on
the way to Madinah during the Hijrah (migration from Makkah), as he
intended to offer prayer there. The first stones were positioned by
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the mosque was
completed by the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with
them all. After that, he favored Saturday as the day to visit Qubaa’
Mosque and offer prayer there.
Masjid Qubaa’ is very important to Muslims, so great
attention has been paid to it through the ages. It has been restored and
renovated many times, the last in the year 1405 A.H. (1984), which
adhered to its traditional Islamic architecture and form.
The Masjid is an open, colonnaded gallery on the south
and on the north, there are two galleries on the east and west, which
are separated by a large, open courtyard. The roof itself consists of
six large domes, each with a diameter of twelve meters and fifty-six
smaller domes, each with a diameter of six meters. Massive concrete
pillars inside each of the galleries support the domes. The floor of the
courtyard is covered with heat-resistant marble, while a moveable
sunshade, (that opens and closes mechanically) made of extremely sturdy
canvas, provides protection from the elements. Towering over the Masjid
are four, forty-seven meter high minarets.
The main prayer area now encompasses five thousand and
fifty-six square meters, while the entire Masjid complex of buildings
and accompanying secondary services, reaches one hundred and thirty-five
thousand square meters. Prior to this most recent expansion the Masjid
was only twelve hundred square meters. Attached to the Masjid are an
office, shopping area, visitors services and residences for the Imam
(prayer leader) and the Mu’adhin (the one who makes the call to
prayer).
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