Al-Rayah Mosque (Medina): Difference between revisions

It is situated on the small Mount Dhubab, on the right side of Uthman b. Affan Street.<ref>Kaʿakī, ''Maʿālim al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah Bayna al-ʿAmārah wa al-Tārīkh'', vol. 2, p. 160,164.</ref>  

This mountain is situated east of the [[Sal'a]] mountain and near the [[Thaniyya Al-Wada]] area. .<ref>ʿIyāshī, '' Al-Riḥlah al-ʿIyāshīyah'', vol. 1, p.  396.</ref>

The entrance to Al-Rayah Mosque is on the qibla and the south side. <ref>Kaʿakī, ''Maʿālim al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah Bayna al-ʿAmārah wa al-Tārīkh'', vol. 2, p. 168.</ref> The mosque has a simple appearance and does not have any minaret or prominent verses or designs inside or outside. <ref>Kaʿakī, ''Maʿālim al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah Bayna al-ʿAmārah wa al-Tārīkh'', vol. 2, p. 172.</ref>

In late 2022, the mosque underwent reconstruction, resulting in a transformation of its appearance from a white color to a more traditional stone-like style. However, by the end of 2023, the surrounding houses have been demolished. <ref>[https://www.spa.gov.sa/N2064796 Website of Saudi Press Agency (SPA)]</ref>

==Background==

During the [[Battle of Ahzab]] (in the fifth year of the Hijra) and while digging the trench around Medina, a tent was set up for the Prophet (s) to provide relief and oversee the excavation work. It was in this tent that the Prophet (s) would perform his prayers.<ref>Samhūdī, '' Wafāʾ al-Wafā bi Akhbār Dār al-Muṣṭafá '', vol. 3, p. 201.</ref>

It appears that the reason for naming this mosque as Masjid al-Rayah (Flag Mosque) is that the flag of the supporters was raised in this location during the Battle of [[Harrah]](63 AH). <ref>Samhūdī, '' Wafāʾ al-Wafā bi Akhbār Dār al-Muṣṭafá '', vol. 3, p. 204.</ref>

It is also possible that this name is due to the placement of the flag of Islam on this mountain during the Battle of Khandaq (The Trench).<ref>Shanqīṭī, ''  Al-Durr al-Thamīn fī Maʿālim Dār al-Rasūl al-Amīn '' , p. 71. </ref>

Furthermore, it has been stated that Dhubab was the name of a man who was hanged by [[Marwan ibn Hakam]] on top of this mosque. <ref>Namīrī, "Tārīkh al-Madīnah Munawwarah", p. 262.</ref>

Another name for this mosque is "Qarin Mosque".<ref>ʿAbd al-Ghanī, '' Masājid al-Ātharīyah'', p. 80.</ref>

==History==

According to one of evidences, Masjid Al-Rayah was first built during the reign of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz in Medina. <ref> al-Samhūdī, '' Wafāʾ al-Wafā bi Akhbār Dār al-Muṣṭafá '', vol. 3, p. 202.</ref>

In addition, several Saudi historians have seen and described this mosque at different times. Abdul Qudous Ansari (died 1403 AH) saw the mosque in the late 14th century and found that the length and width of the building was 4 meters and the height was 6 meters. Ansari believed that the stone construction of the mosque was similar to its 9th-century construction.<ref>Anṣārī, ''Āthār al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah'', p. 129.</ref>

Shanqiti (died 1393 AH) also described the mosque as an outdated stone building from 1405. According to him, the mosque has only one main room and a courtyard without doors.<ref>Shanqīṭī, ''  Al-Durr al-Thamīn fī Maʿālim Dār al-Rasūl al-Amīn '' , p. 172.</ref>

Elias Abdul Ghani describes in al-Athriya mosque that the interior and exterior of the building were painted in 1418 AH and had a roofed prayer hall, which extends the space of the mosque, where the five prayers are held.<ref>ʿAbd al-Ghanī, '' Masājid al-Ātharīyah'', p. 80.</ref>

In his book published in 2011, the contemporary researcher Kaki states that the mosque remains the same as described by Ansari. However, Kaki has reported the reconstruction of the mosque during the Al Saud era.<ref>Kaʿakī, ''Maʿālim al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah Bayna al-ʿAmārah wa al-Tārīkh'', vol. 2, p. 166.</ref>