- Al Masjid al-Haram ‘The Sacred Mosque’
Al-Haram Mosque, also known as Al-Masjid al-Haram “The Sacred Mosque”, is the largest mosque in the world, and surrounds the Islamic Qibla “direction of prayer”, that is the Kaaba in Mecca – Saudi Arabia. The Mosque receives millions of Muslim worshipers each year to perform Hajj and Umra pilgrimage. It is the first place of worship on earth where people can gather in praying and remembering Allah.
It was said that angels put the first foundations of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, then God ordered Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) to set the first stones of the Mosque as a place of worship for him and his children. Over the years, Abraham rebuilt and renewed the foundations of the mosque.
God Almighty said,
“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” [Quran.com/3/96]
Allah also said,
“And [mention] when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.'”[Quran.com/2/127]
Check the interior of the Sacred Mosque. Please click the CC button for English subtitles:
- Al-Masjid al-Nabawi
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi or the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, is the second holy mosque for Muslims. Prophet Muhammad chose his place himself and ordered his companions to build it with him. The first step that Prophet Muhammad took was building a new society after his arrival in Medina. This first act was building a Mosque. The Prophet himself participated in building it and he carried the bricks and the building materials. His actions made the companions much more energetic and inspired to work. He was a great role model for them. The Mosque was not just a place for performing prayers, but it was like a university gathering Muslims and educating them about Islamic teachings. It was a minaret where different tribes can negotiate and communicate with one another after a long time of pre-Islamic wars and years of division and hostility.
The Mosque was also a center for all kinds of management and initiatives. It was a parliament where Muslims held executive and counseling meetings. Moreover, the mosque was a shelter for a big number of poor Muhajireen (refugees from Mecca) who have no money, home or family as they had lost all their material possessions in Mecca.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (one of Prophet Muhammad’s companions) said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘Whoever comes to this mosque of mine, and only comes for a good purpose, such as to learn or to teach, his status is like that of one who fights in Jihad in the cause of Allah.” [Ibn Majah]
Abu Hurairah also narrated that the Prophet said,
“Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah’s Messenger, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem).” [Al Bukhari]
Check the interior of the Prophet’s Mosque:
- Al-Masjid al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known in Arabic as Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, is considered a historical landmark and one of the most famous holy Mosques for Muslims. It is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Its holiness comes from religious incidents and deep faith that represent Muslim’s beliefs and spirituals. This connection is not only to the geographical place of Palestine, the land of various religious cultures as many Prophets visited and lived in Palestine. And it’s one of the Miracles when Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al-Aqsa during the Night Journey.
Allah Almighty said,
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Quran.com/17/1]
Prophet Moses said to his people:
“O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned to you and do not turn back [from fighting in Allah ‘s cause] and [thus] become losers.” [Quran.com/5/21]
It was narrated that Maimunah, the freed (female) slave of the Prophet, said:
“- I said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell us about Baitil- Maqdis.”
= He said: “It is the land of the Resurrection and the Gathering. Go and pray there, for one prayer there is like one thousand prayers elsewhere.”
– I said: “What if I cannot travel and go there?”
= He said: “Then send a gift of oil to light its lamps, for whoever does that is like one who goes there.”[Ibn Majah]
The marvelous interior of Al-Aqsa Mosque, check: