Located in the holy city of Madinah, Masjid An Nabawi (SAWS) is the second holiest mosque in Islam and hosts hundreds of thousands of Muslims from all over the world every year. The mosque was built by Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) himself after he migrated to Madinah in 622 AD, and it is the second largest mosque after Masjid al-Haram.
It is also the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) which is why Pilgrims from all over the world flock here to get a glimpse of the tomb. Besides, the tomb is the final resting place of the Prophet’s closest friend and companion, Abu Bakar. To the southeast of the Masjid, are the Rawdhas (resting places) of some of the family members and friends of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). This particular section is called Jannat al-Baqi and is the oldest and first Islamic cemetery of Madinah.
Architecture and Attractions
Made up of white marble, the mosque has many minarets. One of the distinguishing features of the mosque is its green dome, which is located over the center of the mosque, where the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is located. Over the years, the mosque has been extended multiple times in order to accommodate the worshippers.
It has dozens of giant umbrellas installed in its courtyard that provide shade to the worshippers from the harsh weather. The floors of the mosque are paved with red stone and marble, and are covered with thick carpets. Near the mosque are many markets, hotels, and apartment complexes, where pilgrims can stay comfortably as their lifelong dream of visiting Madinah comes true.
