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Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b

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The Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b, also known as the Mosque of Banu Judaylah (or Banu Hudhaylah) and the Mosque of al-Baqi, holds significant historical and religious importance as one of the ancient mosques in the holy city of Medina. This sacred mosque was established at the esteemed site where the Prophet Muhammad (S) used to perform his prayers. Unfortunately, this venerable mosque no longer exists in its original form today.

Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b
General Information
Other NamesMosque of Al-Baqi', Mosque of Bani Judayla
Placeinside the western wall Baqi'
UsageMosque
History
Time of ConstructionThe early time of Islam
EventsPraying place for the Prophet
Current State
Statusunavailable

The mosque was situated within the hallowed grounds of the al-Baqi cemetery, specifically to the west of the revered graves of the Mothers of the Believers and the grave of Aqil. According to historical accounts, this mosque was initially constructed during the righteous governorship of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, a period marked by piety and devotion to the preservation of Islamic heritage. Despite its initial construction, by the eighth and ninth centuries AH, the mosque had fallen into disrepair, reflecting the vicissitudes of time.

During the illustrious Ottoman era, the mosque witnessed a revival and was meticulously rebuilt, embodying the commitment of the Ottoman rulers to the restoration and maintenance of Islamic holy sites. However, this period of rejuvenation was not permanent, and the mosque was subsequently demolished again, succumbing to the relentless march of history.

Today, the sacred site where the Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b once stood within the al-Baqi cemetery remains devoid of its physical structure. Yet, the spiritual significance and historical memory of this mosque endure in the hearts and minds of the faithful. The legacy of the Prophet's prayers at this site continues to inspire reverence and reflection among Muslims worldwide, serving as a poignant reminder of the rich tapestry of Islamic history and heritage.

Location

This mosque was situated in the west of the graves of the Mothers of the Believers and the grave of Aqil in Baqi'.[1] In ancient sources, the location of the mosque was described as on the right side at the entrance of Baqi'. However, the current meaning of "entrance," constructed during the Saudi era, does not refer to the northern side of the present Baqi'. Instead, it is a reference to a place that was previously situated north, in close proximity to the graves of the Prophet's relatives.[2]

House of Ubay B. Ka'b

Originally, this mosque was the residence of Ubay B. Ka'b, which later transformed into a mosque. Subsequently, it became part of the Baqi' Cemetery. According to a narration, the Prophet had a preference for praying in this location and offered prayers there multiple times.[3] This mosque was located in the neighborhood of Bani Hudayla or Bani Judayla.[4]And this mosque has been referred to by these names as well.

Building History

The name of the mosque is mentioned in ancient historical records of Medina. However, reports from the 8th and 9th centuries indicate that the mosque had been demolished. Samhudi (d. 911/1505-6) listed the name of this mosque among those whose general location is known, but no trace of it remains. He quotes Matri (741 AH/1340-1), stating that even during his time, the mosque remained in the same condition.[5] According to Samhudi, the Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b was situated in the west of the tombs of Aqil and the Mothers of the Believers (Arabic: امهات المومنین ). During his time, only one column of the mosque remained, and according to Samhudi, the remaining ruins indicated that this mosque was built during the time of Umar b. Abdulaziz.[6]

14th/19th Century

Some historians from later periods have mentioned the existence of this mosque. According to Ibrahim Rafat Pasha in "Miraat al-Haramayn," the mosque was reconstructed during the Ottoman rule. The Ottomans had built a sturdy structure with a mihrab for the mosque.[7] His book is the result of his pilgrimage journeys between the years 1318 to 1325 Hijri/1900-1908.[8] Yasin Ahmad Khayyari (d. 1380 AH / 1960-1 AD) has also quoted the same expression from the book "Miraat al-Haramayn."[9]

He, who wrote his book in the year 1380 AH/1960-1, states: "This mosque is still the same building located inside the walls of Baqi', on the right side. Allah knows best.[10] 'Ayyashi, in the late 14th century/19 AD, also witnessed this mosque and reported on it. He explicitly mentions that the Turkish government had constructed a mosque inside Baqi', on the right side, near the northern gate of the western wall. During his time, this mosque was in a state of ruin.[11]

Current status

Today, this mosque no longer exists, and its location is an empty piece of land. It is said that the site of this mosque is now to the east of the canopy area, on the right side for someone entering from the Baqi' gate.[12] According to Ka'ki, the distance between the location of the Mosque of Ubay and the current Baqi' wall is reported to be sixteen meters. The distance from the mosque to the graves of the Mothers of the Believers is 14.5 meters, and the distance from the mosque to the graves of the Ahl al-Bayt is 38.5 meters.[13] Currently, there is no trace of this mosque. Abdullah b. Muhammad Amin Kurdi, who wrote a commentary on the book "Ma'alim al-Madinah al-Munawwarah" by Khayyari in 1410 AH/1989-90, notes in the footnote that "the Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b is ruined, and there is no trace of it.[14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Kaʿkī, Maʿālim al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-ʿimāra wa l-tārīkh, part. 4, vol. 2, p. 633.
  2. ↑ Kaʿkī, Maʿālim al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-ʿimāra wa l-tārīkh, part. 4, vol. 2, p. 637.
  3. ↑ Numayrī, Tārīkh al-madīna al-munawwara, vol. 1, p. 64.
  4. ↑ Numayrī, Tārīkh al-madīna al-munawwara, vol. 1, p. 64.
  5. ↑ Samhūdī, Wafāʾ al-wafā bi akhbār dar al-Muṣṭafā, vol. 3, p. 211.
  6. ↑ Samhūdī, Wafāʾ al-wafā bi akhbār dar al-Muṣṭafā, vol. 3, p. 211.
  7. ↑ Rafʿat Pāshā, Mirʾāt al-ḥaramayn, vol. 1, p. 420.
  8. ↑ Rafʿat Pāshā, Mirʾāt al-ḥaramayn, vol. 1, p. 3.
  9. ↑ Khiyārī,Tārīkh maʿālimal-madīna al-munawwara qadīman wa ḥadīthan, p. 203.
  10. ↑ Khiyārī,Tārīkh maʿālimal-madīna al-munawwara qadīman wa ḥadīthan, p. 203.
  11. ↑ ʿAyyāshī, Al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-māḍī wa al-ḥāḍir, p. 169.
  12. ↑ Kaʿkī, Maʿālim al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-ʿimāra wa l-tārīkh, part. 4, vol. 2, p. 629-630.
  13. ↑ Kaʿkī, Maʿālim al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-ʿimāra wa l-tārīkh, part. 4, vol. 2, p. 638.
  14. ↑ Khiyārī,Tārīkh maʿālimal-madīna al-munawwara qadīman wa ḥadīthan, p. 203.

References

  • ʿAyyāshī, Ibrāhīm .Al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-māḍī wa al-ḥāḍir. Medina: al-Maktab al-ʿilmīyya, 1972.
  • Kaʿkī, ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz. Maʿālim al-Madīna al-munawwara bayn al-ʿimāra wa l-tārīkh, part 1: al-Maʿālim al-Ṭabīʿīyya, vol. 1: al-Jibāl, Beirut: Muʾallif, 1419AH.
  • Khiyārī, Sayyid Aḥmad Yāsīn.Tārīkh maʿālimal-madīna al-munawwara qadīman wa ḥadīthan. Riyadh: al-Amāna alʿāmma li-liḥtifāl miʾat ʿām ʿalā tʾsīs al-mamlika al- ʿarabiyya al-suʿūdiyya, 1419 AH/1999.
  • Numayrī, Ibn Shabbah. Tārīkh al-madīna al-munawwara. Edited by Fahīm Muḥammad Shaltūt. Tehran: Mashʿar, 1380 sh.
  • Rafʿat Pāshā, Ibrāhīm . Mirʾāt al-ḥaramayn, aw, al-raḥlāt al-ḥijāziyya wa al-ḥaj wa mashāʿirihi al-dīniyya. Beirut: Dār al-Maʿrifa, [n.d].
  • Samhūdī, ʿAlī b. ʿAbd Allāh. Wafāʾ al-wafā bi akhbār dar al-Muṣṭafā. Edited by Muḥammad Muḥyi al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd. Beirut: 1984.
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