| Known as the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad, Masjid
al-Nabawi is located in the holy city of Medina
in Saudi Arabia. Regarded as the second holiest mosque in Islam, Masjid al-Nabawi
is the final abode of Muhammad. In terms of visitors and importance, Masjid
al-Nabawi in Medina is second only to the mosque called Al-Masjid
al-Haram, located in the holy city of Mecca.
Built by Prophet Muhammad himself, the Masjid al-Nabawi has undergone a number
of renovations and extensions under the reign of various Islamic rulers. This
mosque houses the tomb of Muhammad in a green-colored dome positioned over its
center. Known as the 'Dome of the Prophet', this dome was constructed in the year
1817. The initial building of Masjid al-Nabawi was Muhammad's residence,
where he settled after his Hijrah to Medina in 622 AD. He later constructed a
mosque on the grounds of his house, and was actively involved in the whole process.
Originally, the Masjid al-Nabawi was an open-air building with a special platform
meant for the reading of Holy Quran. It also served as a court, religious school
and community center for early Muslims who inhabited the city of Medina.
Rectangular in shape, the Masjid al-Nabawi has an Ottoman prayer hall that juts
out in the southern direction and occupies the whole of first floor of the mosque.
Capable of accommodating more than five lakh worshippers, the mosque has an enclosure
than is hundred times bigger than the one built by Muhammad. The roof of
Masjid al-Nabawi, Medina is adorned with 24 domes that have square-shaped bases.
These bases have holes that light up the interiors of the mosque. The Masjid al-Nabawi
is splendidly decorated with polychrome marbles and stones. The new Mosque
of the Prophet houses the old mosque as well. The latter is adorned with myriad
forms of decorations and tiny pillars, whereas the former glistens through its
white marble and is clearly more modernized. 
Ar Rawdah, a small area located in the center of the Masjid al-Nabawi, stretches
between the Prophet's tomb and his pulpit. Muslims believe that prayers said here
are never rejected and hence always make it a point to visit this little section
of the mosque. After their Hajj
Pilgrimage in Mecca, most of the pilgrims make it a point to visit the Masjid
al-Nabawi in Medina as a mark of respect to the Prophet.
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