The First Mosque — Quba’ and Masjid al-Nabawi
“The first mosque established for the people was that at Mecca [Makkah — the Ka’ba], followed by Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.” (Quran 3:96 — referring to the Ka’ba’s sanctity)
But the first mosque built as a mosque by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself was Masjid Quba’ — constructed when he stopped at the outskirts of Medina on the Hijra. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Prayer in Masjid Quba’ is like prayer in any other mosque, and whoever purifies himself in his house and then goes and prays two rak’ah in Quba’, he will have a reward like ‘Umra.” (Ibn Majah, Nasa’i)
Masjid al-Nabawi: The Prophet (SAW) immediately built his mosque in Medina upon arrival. He participated physically in its construction — carrying bricks alongside the Companions while they chanted:
“O Allah, there is no good except the good of the Hereafter / So help the Ansar and the Muhajirin.”
The original structure was simple: palm trunk columns, a roof of palm leaves, earthen floor, three doors. The Prophet’s private chambers (hujarat) were attached to the mosque’s side — his family lived adjacent to the center of worship and community affairs.
The Multi-Function Institution
Education
The Prophet (SAW) taught in the mosque. The Companions sat in circles (halaqat) around teachers. The mosque was the first madrasa — the Prophet’s mosque in Medina was simultaneously his house, his court, his school, and his mosque.
“The Messenger of Allah came out to us while we were in the mosque and said, ‘Which of you would like to go out in the morning to the valley of Buthan or Al-Aqiq and bring back two large-humped camels without any sin or severing the ties of kinship?’ We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, all of us would like that.’ He said, ‘Why does one of you not go to the mosque and learn two verses from the Book of Allah?’” (Abu Dawud) — The mosque and learning were synonymous.
The great universities of Islamic civilization grew from mosque circles: al-Azhar in Cairo (founded 970 CE) and the Nizamiyya in Baghdad (founded 1065 CE) both originated from mosque teaching circles.
Community Governance and Judiciary
The Prophet (SAW) received delegations, resolved disputes, and announced community decisions from the mosque. Judgments (qada’) were often delivered in or near the mosque. The mosque was the seat of early Islamic governance in a way that had no parallel in other civilizations.
Social Welfare
The Ahl al-Suffah (People of the Bench): a group of destitute Companions who had no home. They lived in the mosque’s shaded area (suffah). The Prophet (SAW) directed charitable donations toward them; wealthier Companions housed and fed them. The mosque was, in effect, the first community shelter in Islamic civilization.
The Architecture of the Masjid
The architecture of the masjid evolved significantly from the simple Medinan original, but certain elements became canonical:
The Qibla Wall and Mihrab: The wall that faces Mecca (qibla) contains the mihrab — a semicircular niche that indicates the direction of prayer. The imam stands in front of the mihrab.
The Minbar: The raised pulpit from which the khutbah (sermon) is delivered at Jum’ah (Friday prayer). The Prophet (SAW) originally delivered the sermon standing near a palm trunk; when a minbar was built, the trunk reportedly wept at its replacement — a famous report demonstrating the mosque’s living spiritual energy.
The Minaret: The ma’dhana (minaret, from adhan) — the tower from which the adhan is called. It developed architecturally into one of Islam’s most recognizable visual symbols.
The Sahn (Courtyard): Many historic mosques feature an open central courtyard surrounded by arcades — providing space, airflow, and ablution facilities.
Mosque Etiquette (Adab al-Masjid)
- Enter with the right foot, saying “Bismillah, Allahumma iftah li abwab rahmatik” (the dua of entering the mosque)
- Pray two rak’ah tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the mosque) before sitting
- Lower the voice — except where dhikr or instruction is happening
- Do not conduct buying and selling (al-Bay’ wa’l-Shira’) inside the mosque
- Keep the mosque clean — the Prophet (SAW) said: “Clearing the mosque of what harms and removing the obstacles from it is sadaqah.”
- Exit with the left foot, saying the exit du’a
See also: Understanding Namaz, Al Masjid Al Aqsa, Kaaba Ibrahim, Seerah Medina, Fatimid Caliphate, Islamic Civilization, Friday Prayer