The Prophet's Chamber
The Prophet's Chamber, located within the Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, is an esteemed site of profound historical and religious significance. This chamber was the residence of Prophet Muhammad (S) and his wife Aisha. It is notably recognized as the place where the Prophet passed away and where he was subsequently buried. Initially, the Prophet's Chamber was a separate dwelling, attached to the Masjid al-Nabawi, with its entrance opening directly into the mosque. The original structure of this chamber, along with those of the Prophet’s other wives, was integrated into the mosque complex. As the Masjid al-Nabawi underwent expansions over the centuries, the Prophet's Chamber was incorporated into the mosque's interior, preserving its sacred status within the expanded precincts of the mosque. The integration of the Prophet's Chamber into the Masjid al-Nabawi reflects its enduring spiritual significance and its central role in the history of the early Muslim community. The chamber remains a focal point of reverence for Muslims, symbolizing the final resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a site of deep historical and spiritual reflection.
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| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Al-sharīfa Chamber |
| Place | Medina, Masjid al-Nabi |
| Usage | Aisha's Chamber and residence |
| Religious Aspect | |
| Religious Affiliation | Islam |
| Beliefs | Tawaf and blessings of the angels around the Prophet's grave |
| History | |
| Time of Construction | Simultaneously with the construction of Masjid al-Nabi |
| Events | Burial of Abu Bakr and Umar in this place |
| Reconstructions | Construction of the wall around the Al-sharīfa Chamber, the construction of a wooden enclosure around the cell and the addition of Fatima's house in this enclosure. |
| Reconstructors | Baybaras, Walid ibn Abdul Malik |
| Current State | |
| Space | 240 meters |
| Length | 16 meters |
| Width | 15 meters |
Location
The chamber occupied by Aisha is renowned as the "Noble Chamber" due to its profound significance as the site of the Prophet Muhammad's (S) passing and burial. This chamber is strategically positioned east of the mosque, with its entrance opening directly into the Rawdah, a revered section of the Masjid al-Nabawi.[1] The chamber occupied by Aisha (RA) is renowned as the "Noble Chamber" due to its profound significance as the site of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) passing and his burial. This chamber is strategically positioned to the east of the mosque, with its entrance opening directly into the Rawdah, a revered section of the Masjid al-Nabawi.[2] Prophet]].[3] The Noble Chamber's location within the mosque's eastern precinct underscores its integral role in Islamic history and its continued veneration as a focal point of spiritual and historical reflection for Muslims worldwide.
The Prophet's burial place is in this Chamber
Prophet Muhammad (S) passed away in the chamber of Aisha, located within the Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina .[4] This chamber, also called the Noble Chamber, holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. According to most historical sources, the Prophet was interred in this very chamber, marking the site of his final resting place. However, there are alternative views suggesting that the Prophet's grave might be located between Aisha’s chamber and the residence of Lady Fatima (AS), which was not exclusively designated to any of the Prophet's wives [5]
The decision regarding the exact burial site of the Prophet Muhammad (S) was influenced by a well-known tradition reported by Abu Bakr]. He relayed that the Prophet had stated that every prophet is to be buried at the location where they breathe their last. This guidance led to the Prophet being buried within Aisha’s chamber, with his grave situated in the southern part of the chamber[6]
Individuals Buried in the Noble Chamber
Following the interment of Prophet Muhammad (S), Aisha resided in the northern portion of the Noble Chamber, which initially lacked any partition separating her living quarters from the Prophet's grave. Upon the death of Abu Bakr, he was buried adjacent to the Prophet’s resting place, positioned at a short distance of approximately an arm's length from the Prophet. His head was aligned with the Prophet's shoulders, ensuring a close proximity in burial.[7]
Subsequent to Abu Bakr's death, Umar ibn al-Khattab passed away, and Aisha permitted his burial within the same chamber. Umar’s grave was situated at a similar distance from Abu Bakr's resting place, with his head positioned directly opposite Abu Bakr's shoulders. After the interment of Umar, a partition was erected between the graves and Aisha's living area. This separation was implemented due to Umar's status as a non-mahram, requiring a physical barrier to preserve the propriety of the space.[8] The arrangement of the graves within the Noble Chamber reflects the historical and theological significance of these figures in early Islamic history. The close proximity of their burial sites underscores the deep respect and honor attributed to them, while the installation of the curtain later illustrates the adherence to Islamic principles of privacy and respect for boundaries within sacred spaces.
Reconstruction of the Noble Chamber
During the reconstruction efforts of the Prophet's Mosque under the caliphate of Walid ibn Abdul Malik, significant alterations were made to the area surrounding the Noble Chamber. A pentagonal wall was erected encircling the Chamber, and a segment of the Prophet's Rawdah was incorporated within this newly established enclosure.[9]
Subsequently, during the Mamluk era, under the reign of Sultan Baybars, further modifications were carried out. A wooden enclosure was constructed around Aisha's Chamber, which also included the adjacent house of Fatima (AS). This construction effectively expanded the area considered part of the Chamber to encompass sections of the Prophet's Rawdah and Fatima's residence[10] Today, the Noble Chamber, with these historical additions, spans an area of approximately 240 square meters, measuring 16 meters in length and 15 meters in width. A golden grille now encircles the Chamber, signifying its sanctity and the reverence afforded to it within the mosque.[11] These reconstructions reflect both the evolving architectural and religious significance of the Chamber, illustrating the continuous effort to preserve and honor the sacred space associated with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his revered companions.
Gallary
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Map of Masjid al-Nabi. The Prophet's grave is in his Chamber on the left side of the picture.
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The map of the houses around Masjid al-Nabi showing the location of Aisha's Chamber in the south of the mosque.
Notes
- ↑ Jaʿfarīyān, Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna, p. 217-218.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 61.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 61.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 62.
- ↑ Jaʿfarīyān, Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna, p. 218.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 62; Shanqīṭī, Al-Durra al-thamīn fī maʿālim dār al-rasūl al-Amīn, p. 69.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 62; Shanqīṭī, Al-Durra al-thamīn fī maʿālim dār al-rasūl al-Amīn, p. 69.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 62; Shanqīṭī, Al-Durra al-thamīn fī maʿālim dār al-rasūl al-Amīn, p. 69.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 66.
- ↑ Anṣārī, ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī, p. 124.
- ↑ Jaʿfarīyān, Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna, p. 219.
References
- Anṣārī, Nājī Muḥammad Ḥasan ʿabdu l-qādir al-. ʿImārah wa tawsiah al-masjid al-nabawīī al-sharīf ʿabar tārīkh. [n.p], Nādī al-madīna al-munawwara al-adabī, 1996.
- Jaʿfariyān, Rasūl. Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna. Tehran: Mashʿar, 1382 Sh.
- Shanqīṭī, Ghāī Muḥammad al-Amīn al-. Al-Durra al-thamīn fī maʿālim dār al-rasūl al-Amīn. Beirut: Muʾassisa ʿUlūm al-Qurʾān, 1991.