Learn About Mohammad A clear, welcoming introduction to the life of the Prophet Mohammad

Heart of Medina

The Prophet's Mosque in Medina

Soon after reaching Medina, Mohammad built a simple mosque from palm trunks and fronds. It served as a place of prayer, a community center, and his home, with small chambers for his family along one side. Today the greatly expanded mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Its origin and purpose

Building the mosque was one of the Prophet's first acts in Medina in 1 AH (622 CE). The original structure was modest — an open courtyard with walls of mud brick and a roof of palm fronds. It was not only for worship: it hosted teaching, community decisions, and the welcome of visitors.

The original layout

The qibla wall
The wall facing Mecca, toward which the congregation prayed.
The minbar
The pulpit from which the Prophet delivered sermons.
The chambers
Small rooms for the Prophet's family, including Sawda, Aisha, Hafsa, and others, built along the eastern side.
The gates
Several entrances, two of which were associated with his close companions Abu Bakr and Ali.

The Rawdah

Mohammad was buried in the chamber of his wife Aisha, which now lies within the mosque. The site has been rebuilt and enlarged many times over the centuries and today can hold hundreds of thousands of worshippers.

Common questions

What is the Rawdah?

The Rawdah is the area between the Prophet's former home and his pulpit inside the mosque in Medina. Based on his saying that it is “a garden from the gardens of Paradise,” Muslims consider it especially sacred and try to pray there when visiting.

Where is Mohammad buried?

He is buried in Medina, in the chamber of his wife Aisha, which is now enclosed within the Prophet's Mosque. The green dome above this area is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Islamic world.

Was the first mosque grand?

No. The original mosque was deliberately simple — an open courtyard with mud-brick walls and a palm-frond roof. Its modesty reflected the community's early circumstances. Centuries of expansion have since made it one of the largest mosques on earth.