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Masjid al-Quba - 3D Virtual Tour
Masjid al-Quba virtual tours can be started by clicking the preview window or by downloading the stand-alone versions. Just drag the mouse to the direction you want to look. Use the scroll wheel to zoom at the details. Press F9 to get a list of the 3D sites you downloaded (residing in the same directory). To install the listed sites as a screensaver press F5. Our advise is to install all the sites, including Masjid al-Quba, as a screensaver. When the screensaver starts, a random site is chosen and shown around automatically (this gives the impression of looking at a documentary in HD quality). To see the usage of other keys press F1. Press Ecs to exit.
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First mosque ever built in Islam
The Quba Mosque (Quba' Masjid or Masjid al-Quba) just outside Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is the first mosque ever built and the oldest mosque of Saudi Arabia. Its first stones were positioned by the prophet Muhammad (saw) on his emigration from the city of Mecca to Madinah and the mosque was completed by his companions. Muhammad (saw) spent more than 20 nights in this mosque (after migrating) praying qasr (a short prayer) while waiting for Ali whose house was behind this mosque.
According to Islamic tradition, offering 2 Raka'ahs of nafl prayers in the Quba Mosque is equal to performing one Umra.
Mentions in the Qur'an and hadith
The prophet Muhammad (saw) frequented the mosque and prayed there. This is referred to in a number of hadith:
Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Dinar:
Ibn 'Umar said, “The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding.” 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) used to do the same. Vol 2, Book 21, Number 284 Sahih Bukhari
Narrated by Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding. Added Nafi (in another narration), “He then would offer two Rakat (in the Mosque of Quba).” Vol2, Book21, Number 285 Sahih Bukhari
Whoever purifies himself (take wudhu') in his house then comes to Masjid Quba' and prays in it has the reward like that of Umrah. (an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah) It is mentioned in the Qur'an as the mosque founded on piety and devoutness (Masjid al-Taqwa):
Never stand (to pray) there. A place of worship which was found upon duty (to Allah) from the first day is more worthy that thou shouldst stand (to pray) therein, wherein are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loveth the purifiers. (At-Tawbah Sura 9:108). Pickthal translation.
Architecture
When Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil was commissioned, in the 1980's, to conceive a larger mosque to replace the old mosque, he intended to incorporate old structure into his design. But it was decided to tare down the old nineteenth century mosque and replace it with a new one.
The new mosque consists of a rectangular prayer hall raised on a second storey platform. The prayer hall connects to a cluster containing: residential areas, offices, ablution facilities, shops, and a library. Six additional entrances are dispersed on the northern, eastern and western façades. Four minarets mark the corners of the prayer hall. The minarets rest on square bases, have octagonal shafts which take on a circular shape as they reach the top.
The prayer hall is arranged around a central courtyard, characterised by six large domes resting on clustered columns. A portico, which is two bays in depth, borders the courtyard on the east and west, while a one-bayed portico borders it on the north, and separates it from the women's prayer area.
The women's prayer area, which is surrounded by a screen, is divided into two parts as a passageway connects the northern entrance with the courtyard.
When Quba Mosque was rebuilt in 1986, the Madinah architecture was retained - ribbed white domes, and basalt facing and modest exterior - qualities that recalls Madinah's simplicity. The courtyard, is flagged with black, red and white marble. It is screened overhead by day from the scorching heat with shades. Arabesque latticework filters the light of the palm groves outside.
Source: Wikipedia
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This work is part of a project we did in the Holy Lands, as invitees of
al-Madinah Municipality. |
