The Al Tawba Mosque is a mosque in Tabuk, that was also referred to as the Castle Mosque as it is located near the Tabuk Castle. Due to its link with the Battle of Tabuk, the mosque is considered a very important landmark in the Tabuk region. During the Prophet’s Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) stay at the mosque in the 7th century AD, it was also referred to as the Messenger’s Mosque.
Importance in Islam
In 630 AD, for 20 days, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) camped at the location now known as Al Tawba Mosque as it was near a running spring at that time. The Prophet (PBUH) had arrived here with 30,000 men for the Battle of Tabuk. The famous battle was supposed to be fought against the Romans, but it did not take place. However, while the Prophet was praying during his stay, Surah At Tawba, the ninth chapter of the Quran, was revealed, which is why the mosque is called Al Tawba Mosque.
Architecture
Originally, the mosque was built out of bricks, mud, and palm-tree trunks during the rule of Caliph Omar bin Abdulaziz. In 1652 the Ottomans rebuilt it, and the most recent reconstruction was done in the early 20th century. Now it has one minaret, a traditional arched entrance, and a massive prayer hall with plush carpet and beautiful chandeliers.
