Sîrah Series: The Virtues of Masjid Al-Qubâ

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

When the Masjid was built

When the Messenger of Allâh (ﷺ) left Makkah to make Hijrah, he arrived at Qubâ (outskirts of Medînah) on Monday the 12th of Rabî’ al-Awwal.

He (ﷺ) reached the dwellings of Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf in Qubâ and stayed with Kulthûm ibn Hadm for four days (Monday to Thursday).

It was during this time that Masjid Al-Qubâ was built.

(See Sîrah of Ibn Hishâm & Ar-Rahîq Al-Makhtûm of Safî Ar-Rahmân Mubârakpurî)

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The virtues of Masjid Al-Qubâ

• Verse 108 of Sûrah At-Tawbah [9] was revealed in relation to Masjid Al-Qubâ

ا تَقُمۡ فِيهِ أَبَدٗاۚ لَّمَسۡجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنۡ أَوَّلِ يَوۡمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٞ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ ٨٠١

Never stand you therein. Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allâh loves those who make themselves clean and pure. [9:108]

Imâm Ibn Kathîr said: Allâh encouraged His Prophet to pray in Masjid Qubâ’ which, from the first day, was built on Taqwa, obedience to Allâh and His Messenger , for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people. (Tafsîr Ibn Kathîr)

Imâm As-Sa’dî said:… This is a reference to Masjid Al-Qubâ, whose foundation was laid on sincerity of Allâh’s religion, establishing His remembrance, and built on His ordained principles and practises. This mosque is the oldest mosque in the place and is very blessed, enjoying excellence. (Tafsîr As-Sa’dî)

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي أَهْلِ قُبَاءَ ‏{‏ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوا ‏}‏ قَالَ كَانُوا يَسْتَنْجُونَ بِالْمَاءِ فَنَزَلَتْ فِيهِمْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ

Narrated by Abû Hurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The following verse was revealed in connection with the people of Quba’: “In it are men who love to purify themselves” (9:108). He said: They used to cleanse themselves with water after relieving themselves. So the verse was revealed in connection with them. (Sunan Abû Dawûd 44. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî)

• Visiting the Masjid every Saturday & praying therein

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْتِي مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءٍ كُلَّ سَبْتٍ مَاشِيًا وَرَاكِبًا‏.‏ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَفْعَلُهُ‏

Narrated ‘Abdullâh ibn Dinâr: Ibn ‘Umar said, “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to the Mosque of Qubâ every Saturday (sometimes) walking and (sometimes) riding.” ‘Abdullah (Ibn ‘Umar) used to do the same. (Sahîh Bukhârî 1193)

In another narration “… And he (the prophet) would offer 2 rak’ah of prayer” (Sahîh Muslim 1399)

In another narration Ibn ‘Umar said:… “when he (the prophet) entered the mosque, he used to dislike to leave without offering a prayer…” (Sahîh Bukhârî 1192)

• A reward like that of ‘Umrah

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَبْرَدِ، مَوْلَى بَنِي خَطْمَةَ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أُسَيْدَ بْنَ ظُهَيْرٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّ، وَكَانَ، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ “‏ صَلاَةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَاءٍ كَعُمْرَةٍ ‏”‏

Abul-Abrad, the freed slave of Banû Khatmah, said that he heard Usaid ibn Dhuhayr al-Ansârî who was one of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) narrating that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:“One prayer in the Quba’ Mosque is like ‘Umrah.” (Sunan ibn Mâjah 1411. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî)

قَالَ سَهْلُ بْنُ حُنَيْفٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءٍ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ صَلاَةً كَانَ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ عُمْرَةٍ

Sahl ibn Hunaif said:“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Qubâ’ Mosque and offers one prayer therein, will have a reward like that for ‘Umrah.” (Sunan Ibn Mâjah 1412. Declared Sahîh by Al-Albânî)