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Qubaa’
Mosque
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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