Overview of Development of Masjid Nabawi through the ages Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Overview of First Masjid Development of Masjid Nabawi Initial construction through the ages • Period: 1 A.H / 622 CE ﷺ Period of Rasulullah • • Description: • Took approximately 8 months . • Open building with small roofed area towards the front of the masjid. built ﷺ The rooms for the wives of the Prophet • on Eastern side. • An area also delineated for the Ahl-us-Suffah along the Southern wall. • Three major doors into Masjid Size: • Total Area: 1, 050 m2. • 30m from East to West, 35m North to South. • 1,5 to 2 m high. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Second MAsjid Overview of Development of Masjid Nabawi Change of Qiblah through the ages • Period: 2 AH / 623 CE ﷺ During period of Rasulullah • • Description: Change of Qiblah • The Qibla was initially facing north towards Jerusalem. • Remained in this direction for 16/18 months. • The prayer direction was then changed from north to south, towards the Ka’bah, and the original mihrab (prayer niche) was converted to a door. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Third Masjid Overview of Development of Masjid Nabawi ﷺ First Expansion by the Prophet through the ages • Period: 7 AH /628 CE ﷺ During Period of Rasulullah • • Description: • Masjid was used for various purposes where teaching was carried out, politics were discussed, delegations were received and the needy were catered for. • Population of Muslims increased significantly. • After the Battle of Khaybar (7AH), Sahabah requested permission from Rasulullah for the expansion of the Masjid. ,son-in-law ﷺ Uthman ibn Affan , the Prophet’s • purchased land next to the Masjid Nabawi and this land was used to significantly extend the area of the mosque. • New size: • Total area: increased to 2500 m2 • Height increased to about 3.5 m. • The masjid was extended to the north and west. • Each side now measured about 50 m. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Overview of Fourth Masjid Development of Masjid Nabawi During the Period of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq through the ages • Period: 11-13 AH (632-634 CE) • Under the Khilaafat of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq • Description: • No major alterations to the masjid during the caliphate of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, who ruled following the demise of the ﷺ. Prophet • He repaired the worn out palm pillars and roof • Masjid Nabawi remained as was until the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Overview of Fifth Masjid Development of Masjid Nabawi During Period of Umar ibn al-Khattab through the ages • Period: 13-24 AH (634-644 CE) • Under the rule of Umar ibn al-Khattab • Description: • Muslim Population increased. People requested of Umar to expand the Masjid. • In 17 AH (639 CE), he bought some houses surrounding the mosque and the Masjid was expanded on the Southern, Northern and Western sides • Three additional exterior doors were also added, bringing the total number of doors to six. • The columns, minbar (pulpit) and mihrab (prayer niche) from the previous construction remained intact despite the extensive renovation of Umar. • Small stones were scattered across the floor and woven palm fronds provided carpeting • Umar also introduced incense, which was used every Friday and during Ramadan. • In addition, he introduced an area on the east side of the courtyard known as al-Butayha, which allowed people to discuss their worldly affairs and to recite poetry, away from the ritual prayer. • New size: • The front of the mosque / south was increased by 5m • The back of the mosque / north was increased by 15m • The western side was increased by 10m • The masjid was now rectangular in shape again, • 60m from east to west and 70m from north to south/Ml Abdullah 4200 sq Jeenameters. seerah.co.za @madinahmemos • The roof was increased to a height of 5.5m. Overview of Sixth Masjid Development of Masjid Nabawi Period of Uthman ibn al-Affaan through the ages • Period: 29 AH (649 CE) • Under the rule of Uthman ibn al-Affaan • Description: • In the month of Rabi al-Awwal 29 Hijri, 12 years after the previous extension by Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman undertook a new expansion. • The Masjid was demolished and a brand new structure was built, taking 10 months to complete. • It was completed in Muharram 30 AH. • Uthman personally took part in the construction. • More durable materials were used in the construction of the mosque:. • The number of doors remained the same, as in the period of Umar. • Despite the large renovation, the original layout of the mosque was preserved. mihrabﷺ The mimbar (pulpit) remained in the same position, as did the Prophet’s • (prayer niche). However, a new mihrab was erected at the north wall where the imam led prayers from, allowing for more prayer space. .mihrab was no longer in use and now stood in the prayer areaﷺ The Prophet’s • • He made a protective enclosure around the area where he led the salat to avoid attack on him during the salat. • New size: • The new masjid remained rectangular in shape, increased by 5m on three sides. • 80m from North to South and 65m from East to West. • Total Area: over 5200 m2. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Seventh Masjid Overview of Development of Period of Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik Masjid Nabawi • Period: 88 AH (708 CE) through the ages • Under the rule of Ummayad Caliph Al-Walid / by Umar ibn Abdul Aziz • Description: • On the instruction of Waleed, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz enlarged and renovated the Masjid extensively. It was previously a simple structure. It was now built into an elaborate building with beautiful designs. • Approximately 60 years after the previous renovation by Uthman ibn al- Affan. • Begun in 88 hijri , it was completed in 91 AH, taking three years. Some historians believe the renovation was completed in 93 AH. • Overseen by the governor of Madinah at the time, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz - the great-grandson of Umar ibn al-Khattab. • New size: • Extended by on average, 10 to the West and 15 meters to the East and 15 meters to the North. However , the East to west expansion was less in front (70 m) and more at the back (85m). The masjid was thus now trapezoid in shape. • Just over 100m long. • All the sides were significantly extended - the North and South walls measured just over 68m and 59m respectively. • Total Area: almost 6,500 m2. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Number of key changes: burial place now located inside the Masjid, after the ﷺ The Prophet’s • east wall was repositioned. A pentagon-shaped wall was also built .sacred chamberﷺ around the four walls of the Prophet’s most of which ﷺ, The Hujarat belonging to the wives of the Prophet • had earlier been demolished, were now also incorporated within the mosque, the land being purchased from the families of the respective wives. By this time all the wives of the Prophet had passed away • The first minarets were added to Masjid al Nabawi. Four minarets, each measuring 27.5m in height, were erected at the four corners of the building. The call to prayer was made from these minarets. • New walls were constructed on a solid stone foundation. • Columns were built from stone and the walls and the columns were reinforced with iron and molten lead • A double roof was erected. The inner or lower ceiling was 12.5 meters high, made from teak and decorated with gold. There was a higher roof built on top of the inner roof. • The number of doors increased to 20. • The inside of the walls were decorated by gold, marble and mosaic tiles. • Porticoes or arched pathways and covered areas • were added, adjoining the northern section of the mosque and main prayer area. • There was an open-air courtyard in the middle of the mosque. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Eighth Masjid Overview of Development of Period of Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Mahdi Masjid Nabawi through the ages • Period: 159-169 AH (775-785 CE) • Under the rule of The third caliph of the Abbasid dynasty, Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Mahdi V by Abdullah bin Asim bin Omar bin Abdul Aziz • Description: • The caliph decided on the extension of the mosque after performing Hajj and visiting Masjid Nabawi in 160 AH. • Carried out between the years of 161 AH-165 AH, 70 years after the previous renovation. • 20 additional doors were added. Eight doors were added to the east and west while four were added to the north wall. • Several houses belonging to prominent Sahaba were incorporated inside the Masjid. These Sahaba included: • Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf • Abdullah ibn Masud • Shurahbil ibn Hasana • Al-Muaawar ibn Makhzama • No further extension needed till 654 AH Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos New size: The northern side of the mosque (the back) was extended by about 27m. Total Area: about 8,900 m2. The expansion was approximately 2400m in area. Ml Abdullah Jeena seerah.co.za @madinahmemos Ninth Masjid and various changes Overview of Development of the first major fire Masjid Nabawi through the ages • Period: 654 AH (1256 CE) • Under the rule of Al Mutasim Billah/Sultan Zahir Baybars V/Various • Description: • On the 1st Ramadaan 654 Hijri a fire caused by a candle or an oil lamp broke out. The fire spread to curtains, carpets, prayer mats and eventually engulfed the whole masjid. The original mushaf of Uthman was destroyed during this fire. • Many Muslim leaders participated in the reconstruction of the masjid, most significantly Mutasim.