Bilal b. Rabah Mosque: Difference between revisions

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'''Bilal bin Rabāḥ Mosque''', attributed to [[Bilal]], was located on top of [[Mount Abu Qubays]] in [[Mecca]]. It has been demolished as part of new development plans and the construction of government palaces by Saudi Arabia on Mount Abu Qubays.
'''The Bilal bin Rabāh Mosque (Masjid Bilal)''', known for its association with [[Bilal]],and previously known as the Ibrahim Mosque, was situated atop [[Mount Abu Qubays]] in [[Mecca]]. However, due to new development plans and the construction of government palaces by Arabian government, the mosque has been demolished and razed.


This mosque is mentioned in earlier sources from the second and third centuries, where it was called the Ibrahim Mosque. In these sources, two prominent theories about the name Ibrahim are mentioned: one refers to the [[prophet Ibrahim]], and the other to Ibrahim Abu Qubaysi. Contemporary sources report its renown as the Bilal Mosque. Some attribute this naming to Bilal's call to prayer at this site. Additionally, some sources consider this mosque on [[Mount Abu Qubays]] as the place where the Prophet performed the miracle of splitting the moon.
Historical sources mention two theories regarding the name Ibrahim, one linked to the [[prophet Ibrahim]], and the other to [[Ibrahim Abu Qubaysi]]. The mosque was later known as the Bilal Mosque, possibly due to Bilal's call to prayer over there. Some sources also claim it was where the Prophet performed the miraculous act of splitting the moon.


==Location==
==Location==
The Bilal Mosque was located on top of Mount Abu Qubays and covered an area of about one hundred square meters.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>
The Bilal Mosque once occupied the summit of Mount Abu Qubays, covering an area of around one hundred square meters. <ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>
This mosque existed until the 14th century AH.<ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 84.</ref>
It remained intact until the 14th century AH. <ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 84.</ref>
However, it was demolished as part of new development plans and the construction of palaces for guests of the Saudi government on top of Mount Abu Qubays. Currently, there is no trace of it left, and only images of it remain.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>
However, in the new development plans, which aimed the construction of palaces built for the Saudi government's guests on the Abu Qubais mountain has demolished the mosque, and now there is no trace of it remaining, but only its image remains..<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>


==Ibrahim Mosque or Bilal Mosque?==
==Ibrahim Mosque or Bilal Mosque?==
The old name of the Bilal Mosque was the Ibrahim Mosque, and ancient sources referred to it by this name. According to the writings of Azraqi (d. 250 AH/864-5) and Fakhri (d. 272 AH/885-6), two historians of Mecca in the 3rd century AH, it was commonly believed among the people of Mecca that [[Prophet Ibrahim]] called people to pilgrimage from the top of this mountain.<ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 201; Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16-17.</ref>
In ancient times, the Bilal Mosque was known as the Ibrahim Mosque, as indicated by historical sources. According to Azraqi and Fakhri, two Meccan historians from the 3rd century AH, it was widely believed among the people of Mecca that [[Prophet Ibrahim]] had called for pilgrimage from the peak of this mountain. <ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 201; Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16-17.</ref>
However, some people of Mecca attributed the name of this mosque to a person named Ibrahim Qubaysi rather than Prophet Ibrahim.<ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 201; Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16-17.</ref>  
However, there were conflicting views among the Meccans, with some attributing the mosque's name to Ibrahim Qubaysi instead of Prophet Ibrahim. <ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 201; Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16-17.</ref>  
Sources such as Ibn Jubayr<ref> Ibn Jubayr,''Riḥla Ibn Jubayr'', p. 76.</ref>
Sources such as Ibn Jubayr<ref> Ibn Jubayr,''Riḥla Ibn Jubayr'', p. 76.</ref>
and Ibn Battuta<ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
and Ibn Battuta<ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
They also reported the existence of a mosque on top of [[Mount Abu Qubays]] without mentioning a specific name. However, contemporary sources have mentioned this mosque by the name of Bilal Mosque.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'',  p. 125. , Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383. ,Nawwāb, ''Al-Riḥalāt al-Maghribiyya wa al-Andalusiyya'', p. 456. , Munzawī. ''Ḥajnāma 2''. p. 62.</ref>
also mentioned the presence of a mosque on Mount Abu Qubays without specifying a name. Nevertheless, contemporary sources now identify this mosque as the Bilal Mosque.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'',  p. 125. , Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383. ,Nawwāb, ''Al-Riḥalāt al-Maghribiyya wa al-Andalusiyya'', p. 456. , Munzawī. ''Ḥajnāma 2''. p. 62.</ref>
Furthermore, some have said that after the [[conquest of Mecca]], Bilal called the Adhan (call to prayer) from Mount Abu Qubays, and later, in memory of Bilal, a mosque was built atop this mountain.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'',  p. 125.</ref>
Some accounts suggest that after the conquest of Mecca, Bilal recited the Adhan from Mount Abu Qubays, leading to the construction of a mosque in his honor on top of the mountain. <ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'',  p. 125.</ref>


==The Prophet's Prayer and the Splitting of the Moon==
==The Prophet's Prayer and the Splitting of the Moon==
Reports of the Prophet's prayer on top of Mount Abu Qubays<ref>Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16.</ref>
According to certain reports, it is said that the Prophet prayed on top of Mount Abu Qubays.<ref>Fākihī,''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 16.</ref>
In their travel accounts, Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta regarded this mosque as the place where [[Prophet Muhammad (s)|the Prophet (s)]] performed the miracle of the splitting of the moon.<ref>Ibn Jubayr,''Riḥla Ibn Jubayr'', p. 76. ,  Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
In their travelogues, Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta mentioned this mosque as the location where the [[Prophet Muhammad (S) | Prophet]] performed the miraculous act of splitting the moon. <ref>Ibn Jubayr,''Riḥla Ibn Jubayr'', p. 76. ,  Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
==Ibn Battuta's report on the lighting of Bilal Mosque==
==Ibn Battuta's report on the lighting of Bilal Mosque==
In his travelogue in 725 AH/1324-5, Ibn Battuta mentions the customs and traditions of the people of Mecca on the nights of the 27th of [[Ramadan]] and the first night of [[Shawwal]]. He says that on these nights, the people of Mecca light lamps and lanterns in [[al-Masjid al-Haram|Masjid al-Haram]] and its surroundings, as well as in the Bilal Mosque on Mount Abu Qubays.<ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 404.</ref>  
In his travelogue dated 725 AH, [[Ibn Battuta]] provides a detailed depiction of the practices followed by the people of Mecca on the 27th night of [[Ramadhan]] and the first night of [[Shawwal]]. He highlights that during these significant nights, the Meccans adorn the Masjid al-Haram and its surroundings with torches and lamps, along with the mosque located on Mount Abu Qubays. <ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 404.</ref>  
==History of the Structure==
==History of the Structure==
Azraqi is the oldest source that mentions this mosque in the 3rd century AH.<ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 202.</ref>  
Azraqi's history, the oldest source, mentions the mosque in the third century of Hijri. <ref>Azraqī, ''Akhbār Makka'', vol. 2, p. 202.</ref>  
Based on this, some historians have speculated that the construction of the mosque dates back to the first century AH.<ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 83.</ref>
Based on this, it is speculated by some historians that the mosque might have been constructed in the first century of Hijri.<ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 83.</ref>
Additionally, Ibn Battuta in the 8th century mentioned the reconstruction of the mosque ordered by Mamluk Sultan Dhaher.<ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
Ibn Battuta recorded the mosque's reconstruction in the 8th century under Sultan Dhahir Mamluk's order. <ref>Ibn Baṭṭūṭah ''Riḥlat Ibn Baṭṭūṭah'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>
There are also reports of the renovation of this mosque in the 13th century AH by an Indian man.<ref>Muḥammad b. Aḥmad, ''Taḥṣīl al-marām'', vol. 1, p. 502.</ref>  
It was also documented that an Indian man carried out the renovation of the mosque in the 13th century.<ref>Muḥammad b. Aḥmad, ''Taḥṣīl al-marām'', vol. 1, p. 502.</ref>  
===The report of travelogues of Iranians===
===The report of travelogues of Iranians===
Some Iranian Shia who had visited Mecca before the demolition of the Bilal Mosque have reported on it in their travel accounts.<ref>Jaʿfarīān, " Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", p. 766.</ref>  
The narratives of Iranian Shiite pilgrims who journeyed to Makkah before the Bilal Mosque was ruined offer interesting perspectives about it. <ref>Jaʿfarīān, " Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", p. 766.</ref>  
Mirza Davood Hosseini, who went on [[Hajj]] in 1322 AH/1904-5, stated that atop Mount Abu Qubays, where the Prophet called people to monotheism, a mihrab (prayer niche) and a minaret had been built.<ref>Jaʿfarīān," Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", vol. 7, p. 545.</ref>
Mirza Daud Hosseini, who performed Hajj in 1322, mentioned the Prophet's teachings on monotheism at Mount Abu Qabis. <ref>Jaʿfarīān," Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", vol. 7, p. 545.</ref>
Hajj Ayyaz Khan Qashqai, during his pilgrimage in 1341 AH / 1922-3, reported the existence of a shrine with two minarets on this mountain, but he did not mention its name.<ref>Jaʿfarīān, " Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", vol. 8, p. 419.</ref>
Haj Ayyaz Khan Qashqai, on his Hajj in 1341 AH/1301, noted a tomb with two garlands on the mountain without specifying its name. <ref>Jaʿfarīān, " Panjāh Safarnāmah-i Ḥajj-i Qājārī", vol. 8, p. 419.</ref>




===The latest reports on the Bilal Mosque===
===The latest reports on the Bilal Mosque===
A report on the Bilal Mosque is also mentioned in the book "Tarikh al-Qawim." The report in this book, first published in 1385 AH / 1966 AD, indicates that the mosque existed until that time and was surrounded by numerous houses.<ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 84.</ref>  
The book "Tarikh al-Qawim" contains a report about Bilal Mosque (Masjid Bilal). The report, which was first published in 1385 AH / 1966 AD, shows that the mosque existed until that time and was surrounded by multiple houses. <ref>Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm li Makka wa bayt Allāh al-karīm'', vol. 5, p. 84.</ref>  
The Bilal Mosque has now been demolished.<ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>  
The Bilal Mosque ([[Masjid Bilal]]) is currently in ruins. <ref>Jaʿfariyān,''Āthār-i islāmi-yi Makka wa Madīna'', vol. 1, p. 151.</ref>  
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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