Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b

Mosque of Ubay B. Ka'b

General Information
Other Names	Mosque of Al-Baqi', Mosque of Bani Judayla
Place	inside the western wall Baqi'
Usage	Mosque
History
Time of Construction	The early time of Islam
Events	Praying place for the Prophet
Current State
Status	unavailable

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.

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 of the Mosque

The Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b, also known as the Mosque of Bani Judayla or Bani Hudayla, was historically situated within the sacred grounds of al-Baqi, to the west of the revered graves of the Mothers of the Believers and the grave of Aqil. According to ancient sources, the mosque was positioned to the right of the entrance to al-Baqi. However, it is essential to clarify that this reference pertains to an entrance that existed prior to the contemporary entrance built during the Saudi era. This older entrance was located to the north of the current one, near the graves of the aunts of the Messenger of Allah (S). The precise historical positioning of the mosque underscores its significant connection to the early Islamic community and its sacred traditions.

The House of Ubayy ibn Ka'b

Initially, the Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b was the residence of Ubayy ibn Ka'b, one of the esteemed companions of the Prophet Muhammad (S). This house was later converted into a mosque and subsequently incorporated into the al-Baqi cemetery. It is narrated that the Prophet (S) had a special inclination towards this place for prayer and often performed his prayers there. The mosque was situated in the neighborhood of Bani Hudayla or Bani Judayla, and thus, it was also referred to by these names. This historical transformation from a companion's home to a revered mosque reflects the significant religious heritage and the sanctity associated with the early Islamic community and its places of worship.And this mosque has been referred to by these names as well.

Historical Background

The Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b is prominently mentioned in ancient historical records of Medina. However, by the 8th and 9th centuries, reports indicate that this mosque had largely fallen into disrepair. Al-Samhudi (d. 911 AH) includes this mosque in his enumeration of notable mosques, noting that although its general location was known, the structure itself was no longer intact. He references Al-Mutri (d. 741 AH), who similarly observed that the mosque remained in a state of neglect during his time. According to Al-Samhudi, the Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b was situated to the west of the tombs of Aqil and the Mothers of the Believers in the al-Baqi cemetery. In his account, only one pillar of the mosque remained standing. He posits that the remnants of the structure suggested its construction during the era of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz. This historical context highlights the enduring significance of the mosque, reflecting its connection to the early Islamic period and its association with prominent figures of that era.

The 14th Century

Historical accounts from later periods confirm the continued presence of the Mosque of Ubayy ibn Ka'b. Ibrahim Rif'at Pasha, in his seminal work Mir'at al-Haramain, documented that the mosque underwent significant reconstruction during the Ottoman era. The Ottomans erected a sturdy and well-constructed building, including a prominent prayer niche (mihrab). Rif'at Pasha's observations, recorded during his pilgrimage journeys between 1318 and 1325 AH (1901-1907 CE), offer critical insights into the mosque's condition and its architectural restoration during Ottoman rule. This period of reconstruction underscores the mosque's enduring religious and historical importance within the context of Medina's sacred sites. In the 14th century, various historians provided accounts of the mosque. Yasin Ahmad Khiyari (d. 1380 AH / 1960 CE) cited Mir'at al-Haramain in his work,"stating: "This mosque today remains as the building situated within the walls of [[Baqi'], located to the right. Allah knows best." Khiyari’s observations reflect the mosque's condition during his era. Moreover, 'Ayyashi, writing in the latter part of the 14th century, also reported on the mosque. He indicated that the Turkish authorities had constructed a building within Baqi, positioned to the right of the northern entrance of the western wall. By his time, the mosque was reported to be in a state of disrepair.

Current Status

As of today, the Mosque of Abu bin Ka'b no longer exists, and its location is now a vacant plot. Historical references suggest that the site of this mosque is located to the east of the canopy on the right side when entering the Baqi' cemetery. According to Ka'ki, the distance from the former site of the Mosque of Abu bin Ka'b to the current wall of Baqi' is approximately sixteen meters. The mosque's location is about 14.5 meters from the graves of the Mothers of the Believers and roughly 38.5 meters from the graves of the Ahl al-Bayt. Currently, no physical remnants of the mosque can be found. Ubaidullah bin Muhammad Amin Kurdi, in his annotations to the 1410 AH edition of Ma'alim al-Madina al-Munawwara by Khiyari, notes in a footnote that: "The Mosque of Abu bin Ka'b has deteriorated to the extent that no visible traces of it remain."

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.