Quba Mosque: the first mosque of Islam and the merit of prayer

Introduction – Where it all began…

On the outskirts of Medina, where palm trees sway gently under the desert heat, a mosque stands in silence.

This place is not merely a building… it is the first mosque of Islam, the first Muslim sanctuary in History, erected by the hands of the Prophet ︎ : Quba Mosque.

It is here that, just after the Hijra, the Messenger of Allah ︎ laid the foundation stone of the first place of prayer of the Ummah.
A Masjid born in simplicity… but above all in Taqwa.

 A question many believers ask

What is the reward for praying in the first mosque of Islam?

Authentic answer:

« Whoever purifies himself at home, then goes to Quba Mosque and prays there, will have a reward equivalent to an Omra. »
(Authentic Hadith — Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

 1. The first mosque built in Islamic History – A Masjid founded on Taqwa

Allah ☸ says:

« A Mosque founded from the first day on piety is more worthy for you to stand in [for prayer].»
(Surah At-Tawbah — 9:108)

This verse concerns no other mosque but Quba, the first mosque built in Islam.
It is not only the oldest house of prayer in Islam… but the first in intention, founded on piety before it was even raised in stone.

 2. The construction – When the Prophet ︎ laid the stones with his own hands

Narrations report that the Prophet ︎ carried the stones against his chest, placing them with his blessed hands.
Then Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did the same, followed by 'Umar رضي الله عنه…

The Ummah was being built stone after stone, intention after intention.

That day, there was no marble… just dusty hands, sincere hearts and an inner certainty:

Everything begins with a stone laid with sincerity.

When the Prophet ︎ arrived at Quba, welcomed by Kulthum ibn Al-Hasm, he transformed a simple piece of land into the first sacred house of Islam.

Did you know?

Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ︎ would visit Quba Mosque every Saturday, on foot or mounted.
And he himself would faithfully repeat this practice, to the point where some inhabitants of Medina would say:

« If Quba were at the other end of the world, Ibn 'Umar would have gone there on foot. »

The ancients used to say:

« Whoever understands Quba… understands how Islam began: with a walk, an intention… and two sincere raka'at. »

And this echoes a statement attributed to Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
« By Allah, if Quba Mosque were a month's journey away, it would be worth the trip. Whoever leaves his home, purifies himself and then prays four raka'at there, Allah grants him the reward of an Omra. »

 3. Where is Quba Mosque located?

Quba Mosque is located 3.5 km from the Prophet's Mosque ︎, south-west of Medina.

There you will find:

• An iconic white facade,

• 62 luminous domes that rise like pearls,

• A well attributed to Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari رضي الله عنه,

• The place where the Prophet's camel ︎ knelt down, marking his blessed arrival.

Walking towards Quba is an act of worship, for it is walking in the footsteps of the Prophet ︎ towards the first Muslim sanctuary in History.

 4. Masjid Quba and Masjid Ad-Dirar – When a mosque becomes light… or a trial

Just after the founding of the first mosque of Islam, hypocrites built another mosque — Masjid Ad-Dirar — claiming to seek goodness.

Allah revealed:

« Never pray in that mosque. » (Surah 9:107)

The Prophet ︎ ordered its destruction.
Quba was confirmed as the mosque of sincerity, while the other became a symbol of spiritual deception.

 5. Quba through the centuries – A mosque the Ummah has never forgotten

• 'Uthman ibn 'Affan رضي الله عنه restored it,

• 'Umar ibn 'Abd Al-'Aziz built the first minaret there,

• The Ottomans embellished it on several occasions.

Each era added a stone as if to proclaim:
« As long as there is an Ummah, the first mosque of Islam will remain standing. »

Just as Quba was the first mosque in the East, the mosque of Sijilmassa, discovered in Morocco in 2025, is considered the oldest mosque in the Maghreb — a historical echo connecting Medina to the Atlas.

 6. Quba in the modern era – Between authenticity and expansion

In 1405H, a major extension was carried out:

• 4 minarets of 47m were built,

• The surrounding land was integrated,

• The original architecture was respected — proof that one can expand without erasing the soul.

 7. An architecture of light and sobriety

Today, Quba features:

• 62 white domes,

• Open courtyards under the sky,

• Marble that reflects light and soothes the heart.

This is not a mosque that impresses…
It is a mosque that brings peace and reminds of the origin.

 8. The spiritual symbolism – Where the Ummah breathed for the first time

To pray at Quba, the first mosque of Islam, is to relive the beginning.
It is to reconnect with the moment when everything began with two sincere raka'at.

Quba is not merely a place… it is an origin.

 9. Quba today – When memory meets renewal

Under Vision 2030, 57 historical sites around Quba (wells, Hijra paths, palm groves) are being restored.
Quba is not a museum… it is a living heart.

 10. Visiting Quba – A Sunnah to be lived, not just read about

The Prophet ︎ would visit Quba Mosque every Saturday, sometimes on foot, sometimes on his mount — out of love for this place founded on Taqwa.
"Praying two raka'at here is equivalent to an Omra."

This is not a simple visit… it is an encounter with the origin of the Ummah.

 When the prophetic trace meets renewal

The first mosque of Islam was a place of prayer, brotherhood and guidance.

Today, modern initiatives such as Masjidbox extend this mission by helping mosques stay connected to their congregants, preserving their soul while entering the digital era — without losing their spiritual light.

Mosques are built with stones…
… but they come alive through the hearts that gather within them.