Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī

Upon arriving in Madīnah, the first task was the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī. The place where the camel of the Holy Prophet(sa) chose to rest, was the property of two children from Madīnah named Sahl and Suhail, who lived in the guardianship of Ḥaḍrat As‘ad bin Zurārah(ra). This was a vacant land, on which a few date palms had been planted in one area. In another area, there were ruins, etc. The Holy Prophet(sa) selected this plot to construct the Masjid-e-Nabawī, and his own livings quarters. This plot of land was purchased for 10 Dinar, or approximately 90 Rupees. The surface was levelled and cleared of trees, after which the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī began. The Holy Prophet(sa) supplicated to Allāh, and laid the foundation stone himself. Just as in the construction of the mosque at Qubā’, the Companions worked as builders and labourers. The Holy Prophet(sa) would also participate at times. Occasionally, while lifting bricks, the Companions would recite the following couplet of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāhah(ra):

“This burden is not the burden of Khaibar’s commercial goods, which arrive loaded on the backs of animals; Rather, O our Lord! This is the burden of virtue and purity, which we bear for your pleasure.”

At times, the Companions would recite the following couplet of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāhah(ra):

“O Our Allāh! True reward is merely that of the hereafter. By Your Grace, send down Mercy upon the Anṣār and Muhājirīn.”

When the Companions would recite this couplet, at times, the Holy Prophet(sa) would also join in. In this manner, after a long period of hard work, the mosque was completed.1 The structure of the mosque was made from slabs and bricks, which were assembled between wooden pillars. The roof was covered by trunks and branches of date palms. Trunks of date palms were placed inside the mosque to support the roof. Until the building of a pulpit was proposed, the Holy Prophet(sa) would lean upon one of these trunks when delivering his sermon. The floor of the mosque was unpaved, and since the roof would leak after heavy rainfall, the floor of the mosque would become muddy. As such, in light of this difficulty, later on a floor of gravel was paved. Initially, the direction of the mosque was towards Baitul-Maqdas, but after the alteration of the Qiblah, this orientation was changed. At that time, the height of the mosque was 10 feet, the length was 105 feet, and the width was 90 feet. Later on, however, this was extended.

To one corner of the mosque, a veranda was built, which was referred to as Ṣuffah. This was for those destitute Muhājirīn who were homeless. These people would stay here, and were known as the Aṣḥābuṣ-Ṣuffah. As such, they would remain in the company of the Holy Prophet(sa) day and night, perform worship, and recite the Holy Qur’ān. These people possessed no means of permanent subsistence. The Holy Prophet(sa) would take care of them personally and whenever the Holy Prophet(sa) would receive a gift, etc., or there was something available at home, he would especially separate their share. As a matter of fact, at times, the Holy Prophet(sa) would himself starve and send whatever was in his home to the Aṣḥābuṣ-Ṣuffah. The Anṣār would also remain engaged in their hospitality in as much as possible, and would often attach clusters of dates within the mosque.2 However, despite all this, they lived in a state of adversity, and would often reach a state of starvation. This state continued until some found work, due to the expansion of Madīnah, and others began receiving support from the National Baitul-Māl.3

A place of residence was constructed for the Holy Prophet(sa) adjacent to the mosque. His home was a small chamber of merely ten to fifteen feet. A single entrance led from this chamber to the mosque, from which the Holy Prophet(sa) would enter the mosque to lead the Ṣalāt, etc. When the number of his wives increased, additional living quarters were also built for the Holy Prophet(sa) alongside the first. The homes of various other Companions were also built in close proximity of the mosque.

This was the Masjid-e-Nabawī, which was constructed in Madīnah. In that era, since there was no other public building where tasks of national importance could be performed, the mosque also served as the headquarters of administration. The assembly of the Holy Prophet(sa) would take place here. It was here that all types of consultation took place. Legal verdicts were passed from here. It was from here that injunctions would be issued forth. This was the official guesthouse and, if required, it would be used as a confinement for prisoners as well.

Alluding to this mosque, Sir William Muir writes:

“But though rude in material, and comparatively insignificant in dimension, the Mosque of Mahomet is glorious in the history of Islâm. Here the Prophet and his companions spent the greater portion of their time : here the daily service, with its oft-recurring prayers, was first publicly established : here the great congregation assembled every week, and trembled often while they listened to the orations of the Prophet and his messages from Heaven. Here he planned victories. From this spot he sent forth envoys to kings and emperors with summons to embrace Islâm. Here he received embassies of contrite and believing tribes ; and from hence issued commands which carried consternation amongst the rebellious to the very outskirts of the Peninsula. Hard by, in the room of Ayesha, he yielded up the ghost ; and there he lies buried.”4

This mosque and its adjoining chambers were constructed in a period of seven months, more or less. The Holy Prophet(sa) took up residence in his new home along with his wife Ḥaḍrat Saudah(ra). Various other Muhājirīn also acquired land from the Anṣār, and built homes in close proximity of the mosque. Those who could not obtain land near the mosque constructed their homes at a distance from the mosque. Others were fortunate enough to procure pre-constructed houses from the Anṣār.