Qubāʾ (قباء)
Definition and Historical Context
Qubāʾ (قباء) refers to a significant location situated approximately three miles from al-Madīnah (Medina) in Saudi Arabia. It is notably recognized as the site where the Prophet Muḥammad’s she-camel, al-Qaṣwāʾ, knelt down upon his arrival from Makkah (Mecca) during the Hijrah (migration). This event marked the foundation of the Qubāʾ Mosque, the first mosque in the history of Islam, where public prayer was established.
Etymology and Transliteration
- Arabic: قباء
- Transliteration: Qubāʾ
- Turkish: Kuba
Religious Importance
The Qubāʾ Mosque holds a unique place in Islam as being explicitly referred to in the Qurʾān. As mentioned in Sūrah At-Tawbah (9:109):
<p>“There is a mosque founded from its first day in piety. More worthy is it that thou enter therein: therein are men who aspire to purity, and God loveth the purified.”</p>
The First Mosque
Prophet Muḥammad did not only lay the first brick of this mosque but also marked out the direction of prayer (qiblah). As tradition asserts, the prophet is reported to have declared that one prayer in the Qubāʾ Mosque is equivalent to the reward of a lesser pilgrimage (Umrah) to Makkah.
Architectural Evolution
Captain Richard Francis Burton, a British explorer, and orientalist, documented the mosque’s evolution over centuries:
- Initially, it was a modest square structure.
- Expanded by Caliph ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān, extending it to sixty-six cubits each way.
- The Sultan Abdülhamid I, father of Mahmud II, further renovated it with cut stone, giving it a more defensive look than a conventional place of worship. The modern mosque still retains essential elements from these historical renovations, including a small and narrow riwāq (portico) facing a simply sanded courtyard.
Books for Further Study
- “The Life of the Prophet Muhammad” by Ibn Hisham - A detailed biography providing context for the events at Qubāʾ.
- “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam” by Reza Aslan - Offers insight into the early history of Islam.
- “In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad” by Tariq Ramadan - Examines the Prophet’s life and lessons derived from his journey to Medina.
Takeaways and Conclusion
The Qubāʾ Mosque not only symbolizes the humility and perseverance of the Prophet Muḥammad but also stands as a testament to the early struggles and triumphs of the Islamic community. It reminds Muslims of the spiritual purity and unity that the early Ummah (community) aimed to achieve.
Understanding Qubāʾ’s history offers deeper insights into the significance of certain Quranic verses and the foundational periods of Islam. This site continues to inspire Muslims worldwide, serving as an essential milestone in the Islamic narrative.
