MOSQUE OF QUBA
The first mosque in Islam.
The Cornerstone
When the Prophet ﷺ laid the first stone of this mosque, he was not merely laying the foundation of a building. He was laying the foundation of a civilization.
Before Quba, there was no Muslim mosque. None. Nowhere in the world. Quba is the very first mosque built in Islam. It is here that the congregational salah finds its first roof. Here that the orientation towards the qibla takes its first inscription in stone. Here begins visible Islam.
The Quranic Verse
Allah immortalized this mosque in His revealed word: "A mosque founded from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein. In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves." (Surah At-Tawbah, 108)
It is one of the few mosques in the world explicitly named and praised by the Quran itself. Not by the Prophet ﷺ. By Allah.
The Construction by the Hands of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ carried the stones himself. He transported the bricks on his back. He refused the help of the companions who wanted to spare him. He said: "Go and fetch other stones, you too." The Seal of the Prophets built with his blessed hands the first mosque of the Muslim humanity.
Authentic Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever performs ablution in his house, then comes to the Mosque of Quba and prays therein, will have the reward of an 'Umrah." (Sunan Ibn Majah no. 1412 · Tirmidhi no. 324 · Nasa'i no. 699 — sahih chain according to Al-Albani)
'Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported: "The Prophet ﷺ used to visit the Mosque of Quba every Saturday, either walking or riding. And he would pray two rakats there." (Sahih al-Bukhari no. 1193 · Sahih Muslim no. 1399)
The Reward of an 'Umrah Within Reach
At Quba, 6 km from the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ, in 5 minutes of prayer, you obtain the reward of an 'Umrah. With one condition: you must perform your ablution at home before coming, and walk or ride with the clear intention of coming to pray in this blessed mosque. It is a prophetic gift of immense generosity. Do not miss it.
Architecture Today
The current mosque dates back to 1986. It has 4 minarets, 6 main domes + 56 small domes, a capacity of 20,000 worshippers, and an area of 13,500 m². A new expansion underway will increase the capacity to 66,000 worshippers.