Masjid Qubaa’

Who built Masjid Qubaa’? What are the benefits of praying in Masjid Qubaa’?

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• When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Aboo Bakr were making Hijrah, they were met by the inhabitants of Madeenah in an area called Harrah on the 8th of Rabee’ Al-Awwal, in the 13th year of Prophethood. They accompanied the Prophet ﷺ and Aboo Bakr until they reached a village close to the city of Madeenah, called Qubaa’. There, the Prophet stayed at the house of Kulthoom ibn Al-Hidm for four days. While living with Kulthoom ibn Hidm the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions built the foundations of Masjid Qubaa’.
• The Prophet ﷺ and the Companions worked very hard to build Masjid Qubaa’. The Prophet carried stones until he was covered with dust. One of the Companions saw the Prophet carrying a very heavy stone and offered to help. However, the Prophet ﷺ told the man to pick up another stone and keep going. The Prophet and his Companions carried on working until they established the masjid. Before the Prophet ﷺ left for Madeenah, he prayed in Masjid Qubaa’.
• Allah ﷻ revealed the following aayah with regard to Masjid Qubaa’ and the men who built it:

الَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌۭ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ ( سورة التوبة : ١٠٨ )

“A masjid founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; And Allah loves those who purify” (Soorat At-Tawbah :108 )

• The Qiblah of Masjid Qubaa’ used to face Masjid Al-Aqsaa in Jerusalem. This was the first Qiblah of the Muslims. However in the second year after the Prophet’s Hijrah, Allah ﷻ commanded the Muslims to pray towards the Ka’bah. Allah ﷻ mentions in the Qur’aan that this was done in order to test the faith of the believers:

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ( سورة البقرة : ١٤٣ )

“And We did not make the Qiblah which you used to face (towards Masjid Al-Aqsaa) except that we might make evident who follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger ﷺ “. (Soorat al-Baqarah:143)

• When the aayaat regarding the changing of the Qiblah were revealed, there were some Companions praying Fajr in Masjid Qubaa’. A man shouted to them that an aayah had been revealed to the Prophet ﷺ the night before, that ordered all Muslims to pray towards the Ka’bah. While praying, the Companions turned towards the Ka’bah and continued with their Salah. The Companions successfully passed the test that Allah had set for them.
• After Allah ﷻ commanded the Muslims to pray towards the Ka’bah, the Prophet returned to Masjid Qubaa’. He showed exactly where the Qiblah was and one of the walls was moved so that those praying in Masjid Qubaa’ could face the correct direction.
• To confirm the great benefit of Salah in Masjid Qubaa’, the Prophet would pray there very often. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar commented that the Prophet would pray in Masjid Qubaa’ every Saturday. Sometimes the Prophet would walk, and sometimes he would ride to the masjid.
  The reward of praying in Masjid Qubaa’ is great. The following hadeeth, narrated by Sahl ibn Hunayf, describes this reward:

قَالَ سَهْلُ بن حُنَيْفٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى عليه وسلم مَنْ تَطَهُرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءَ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ صَلَاةَ كَانَ لَهُ كَأَجْرٍ عُمْرَةِ ( أحمد والنسائي وابن ماجه والحاكم )

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The one who does wudoo’ at home, then goes to Masjid Qubaa’ and offers Salah there, will get the reward of performing ‘umrah.” (Ahmad, Nasaa’i, Ibn Maajah and Haakim)

What we learn from the lesson:

1. Masjid Qubaa’ was built by the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions .
2. The Prophet ﷺ prayed in Masjid Qubaa’ every week.
3. The reward for praying in Masjid Qubaa’ is equivalent to the reward of performing ‘umrah.

“Discussion:”

1. Why is Masjid Qubaa’ so significant to Islam and the Muslims?
2. Is praying in Masjid Qubaa’ better than physically performing ‘umrah? Explain your answer.
3. Who else gets the reward for a person praying in Masjid Qubaa”?
4. Why did the Prophet pray in Masjid Qubaa’ before he left for Madeenah?
5. The Prophet Muhammad went to Masjid Qubaa’ every seven days. If you lived in Madeenah, how often would you go? Why?