The Bani Unayf Mosque is one of the historical mosques in the city of Medina, built at the location where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to pray. This mosque is situated near the Quba Mosque. The Bani Unayf Mosque is also known as the Masjid Musabbih or Morning Mosque. Although it had been in ruins throughout history, it was reconstructed in the year 1442 Hijri (2021 CE).
Location
The location of the mosque is next to the fortresses of the Bani Unayf tribe on a hill, a few hundred meters southwest of the Quba Mosque, alongside the Ghassan Warehouses and behind the water purification facility for drinking water.
Names
The reason for naming this mosque Bani Unayf is because its construction is located in the settlement area of the Bani Unayf tribe. Bani Unayf was a branch of the Bani Qilah tribe and, according to some accounts, were remnants of the 'Amaleeq. Additionally, the mosque is renowned as Masjid al-Musabbih or al-Subh(morning) Mosque due to the Prophet (PBUH) performing the Fajr (dawn) prayer there.
The Story of the Mosque
There are three narrations regarding the prayer of the prophet in this mosque:
first narration
The Prophet (PBUH) performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer in the location of this mosque upon his migration to the city of Medina.
second narration
When Imam Ali (AS) migrated from Mecca to Medina after the Prophet, the Prophet (PBUH) performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer at the location of this mosque to welcome him.
third narration
Prophet (PBUH), when visiting Talhah ibn Bara' [6], performed a prayer near the fortresses of the Bani Unayf tribe. The Bani Unayf tribe sprinkled water on that place so that its location would not be forgotten. After some time, they built a mosque at that location, which is the same as the Bani Unayf Mosque.