10 Of The Oldest Masjids Around the World
1) Masjid Al Haram
Masjid Al Haram (Kaaba) - The Great Mosque of Makkah - is indisputably the first and oldest Mosque in the world, being the place where the prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ismail, (peace be upon them both) used to pray. It is also the holiest of the holy sites in Islam. Muslims all over the world turn to the Qiblah direction of the Kaaba 5 times a day. It is the first house for humanity, built for the worship of One God Allah.
2) Al-Masjid An-Nabawi
Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, also called the Prophet's Masjid, is located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Built just after the Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated to Medina from Makkah, it is considered the second holiest site in Islam. Almost 1,400 years old, it has undergone many extensions from its beginnings as a humble structure, to now be the second largest Masjid in the world.
3) Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem built in the 705 A.D is a very important and holy site in Islam. According to a Hadith by Al Bukahri, it is the 3rd holiest site and a prayer there is worth a 1000 prayer. It is also the Masjid where our prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prayed on the night of Mirage. It was also the former Qibla direction for 17 months after emigration to Medina after a revelation to which the Qibla was turned towards the Kaaba. Al Aqsa has withstood many earthquakes, captures and was returned to its former glory by Saladin from the crusaders after the capture of Jerusalem. This Masjid is the one filled with history and pride of all Muslims throughout the world.
4) The Great Mosque of Sana’a
The Great Mosque of Sana’a also known as Al-Jami al-Kabīr bi-Ṣanʿāʾ is located in Sana'a, Yemen and is built during the 7th – 8th century. It is built next to the Ghumdan Palace site. The Mosque has a great architecture built over time in different era. Considerable renovation was done by Queen Arwa Ibn Ahmed in the year 1130. The Mosque is also in the Unesco World’s Heritage list.
5) Mosque of Uqba
Mosque of Uqba also known as the Great Mosque of Kairouan is situated in the city of Kairouan, Tunisia. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage town. It was built by an Arab General Uqba Ibn Nafi in 670 at the time of the founding of the city. It is important Mosque in Tunisia and the architectural style of the Mosque was followed throughout the Maghreb region. The Mosque was a centre of learning both in Islamic thoughts and Secular sciences before the educational universities centred around Tunis in the 11th century.
6) Ummayad Mosque Syria
Ummayad Mosque also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus is in Damascus Syria and is one of the oldest Mosques built in 634. It was built after the conquest of the Arab on a former Basilica site dedicated to Yahya (the prophet). The Mosque has withstood many dynasty and ruling periods and is one of the most visited attractions of the country for its immensely beautiful architecture and of course the lure of history.
7) Quba Mosque
The Quba Mosque (masjid) is the one of the oldest Mosques of the world. The first stone for the construction of the Mosque was laid by our prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself in the year 622 after he emigrated to Medina from Makah. It has its mention in Sahih Hadiths by Bukhari where the prophets (pbuh) use to ride or walk to the Mosque (masjid) on Saturday and offer 2 rakah Salaah.
8) The Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai
Picture Credit - www.wikipedia.org
This Mosque is in Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu - also known as Palaiya Jumma Palli - built during the Pandiya Dynasty by Yemeni Merchant after being ordered by the Emperor of Yemen after accepting Islam in the Prophet’s period. Built in 628 and reconstructed again in the 11th century, this Mosque stands proud, tested by time and is a symbol of Islam at its prime that spread via sea routes. Ibn Battuta also mentions this Mosque in his Rihla saying that “the people there lived as though they were in the Arab land”
9) The Great Mosque of Kufa
The Great Mosque of Kufa in Iraq was completed in 670 AD
and is one of the famous and revered place of prayer Among the Shia sect of Muslims.
10) Great Mosque of Xi'an
The Great Mosque of Xi'an in China is the oldest Mosque in China. It was built and completed in 742. Unlike the Mosque around the world with domes and minarets, this Mosque is built in a Chinese pagoda architectural style. There are also Arabic inscriptions within the Mosque. It is also a tourist attraction for people who visit the place. Next time you take a trip and visit these countries, make sure you make it to the list of the oldest Mosque of the world.
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Oldest Mosques In The World
The Great Mosque of Mecca, or Masjid al-Haram, is the largest and oldest in the world, and located in Islam's holiest city.
The Rise And Spead Of Islam
Islam began in the 7th century in Mecca, near the Red Sea in the Arabian Peninsula. Before the advent of Islam in the region, polytheism, which is the worship of many gods, abounded. Muslims believe in one God named Allah who they believe is the creator of all. Mecca is believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, who relayed Allah’s wishes to the people. Muhammad escaped to Medina to flee persecution and settled there, where he amassed a huge following to his teachings. From Medina, Islam spread through trade merchants and Arab conquests to the rest of the world. The first mosque was built in modern day Saudi Arabia, in Mecca, under the rule of Caliph Omar Ibn al-Khattab (634-644).Masjid al-Haram
Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the oldest mosque, although the date of its establishment is unknown. The mosque surrounds the Kaaba, which is considered the abode of Allah and was believed to have been used as a praying site by the prophet Ibrahim together with his son Ismail. The Kaaba is regarded the most religious place among Muslims. The mosque is the main destination for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The gigantic structure accommodates up to 820,000 pilgrims, who perform rituals in its courtyard. The building has been remodeled, rebuilt, and renovated into the structure it is today. The site has also been a spot for accidents and tragedies in situations such as stampedes and construction. The mosque is ranked among the top destination for religious tourists.Quba Mosque
Quba Mosque was built in 622 in Medina, Saudi Arabia by the Prophet Muhammad after his departure from Mecca. The mosque is a prime destination for worshippers and witnesses, and the numbers surge up especially during the holy month of Ramadan. The mosque is described in the Islamic holy book of Qur’an as the fist mosque to be built on piety. The Mosque was rebuilt using modern Islamic architectural style in the 20th century, and it is one the largest mosques in Saudi Arabia.Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi
Al-Masjid al-nabawi was built in 622 in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The first structure of the mosque was built near the home of Prophet Muhammad. It has undergone constructions over the centuries under different dynasties. The mosque is renowned for its green dome which was built under the Ottoman Empire in 1818. It is regarded as the second holiest Islamic monument after the Masjid al-Haram. The mosque is a prime destination for pilgrimage due to its strong link to Prophet Muhammad. The tomb of the Prophet Muhammad is located in the mosque.Masjid Al-Qiblatain
Masjid Al-Qiblatain in Medina, Saudi Arabia was built in 623. The Mosque occupies a special place in Islamic history as the spot where the prophet Muhammad was ordered by Allah to direct prayer (Qibla) from Jerusalem to Mecca. The Mosque was known as the mosque of the two Qiblas, one facing Jerusalem and the other facing Mecca. In a recent renovation, the Qibla facing Jerusalem was removed. The mosque can accommodate up to 2000 worshippers and is a destination for religious pilgrims.Historical Treasures And Architectural Marvels
These mosques remind us of the history of the rise and spread of Islam. They also equip historians with valuable details of the religion and its leaders. Today, they serve as important pilgrimage sites for the devout Muslims of the world and some of them also draw tourists from across the world who marvel at the architectural and aesthetic beauty of these holy sites of Islam.The Oldest Mosques In The World
| Rank | Building | Location | Modern country | First Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Masjid al-Haram | Mecca | Saudi Arabia | unknown (presumed to be oldest) |
| 2 | Quba Mosque | Medina | Saudi Arabia | 622 |
| 3 | Al-Masjid al-Nabawi | Medina | Saudi Arabia | 622 |
| 4 | Masjid al-Qiblatain | Medina | Saudi Arabia | 623 |
| 5 | Huaisheng Mosque | Guangzhou | China | 627 |
| 6 | Masjid al-Qiblatayn | Zeila | Somalia | 627 |
| 7 | Cheraman Juma Masjid | Kodungallur | India | 629 |
| 8 | Palaiya Jumma Palli | Kilakarai | India | 630 |
| 9 | Jawatha Mosque | Al-Kilabiyah | Saudi Arabia | 629 |
| 10 | Great Mosque of Kufa | Kufa | Iraq | 639 |
| 11 | Mosque of Uqba | Kairouan | Tunisia | 670 |
| 12 | Imam Hussain Mosque | Karbala | Iraq | 680 |
| 13 | Al-Aqsa Mosque | Old City of Jerusalem | Jerusalem | 705 |
| 14 | Al-Zaytuna Mosque | Tunis | Tunisia | 709 |
| 15 | Umayyad Mosque | Damascus | Syria | 715 |
| 16 | Imam Ali Mosque | Najaf | Iraq | 977 |
| 17 | Great Mosque of Xi'an | Xi'an, Shaanxi | China | 742 |
| 18 | Atiq Mosque, Awjila | Awjila | Libya | 1101 |
| 19 | Arba'a Rukun Mosque | Mogadishu | Somalia | 1268/9 |
| 20 | Fakr ad-Din Mosque | Mogadishu | Somalia | 1269 |
| 21 | Kazimar Big Mosque | Madurai | India | 1284 |
These mosques are over 1,300 years old:
All you need to know
10 oldest mosques around the world
Oldest mosques around the world
A
mosque is a place of worship for the followers of Islam and has derived
its name from the Arabic word, Masjid, which itself means ' place of
worship'. If you go about searching for the history of the settlement of
mosques, you'd be amazed by the fact that how almost all the countries
have some of the oldest mosques in the world. Is it not pretty amazing
that how they have managed to survive this long? Yes, they have managed
to look beautiful too, after all these years. Masjid al-Haram:
Location - Mecca, Saudi Arabia
First built - 2130 BC (according to Islamic belief)
Masjid al-Haram or the Grand Mosque of Mecca is not only the oldest mosque in the world but the largest as well. Every Muslim is required to perform Five Pillars of Islam to attain holiness. One of these five pillars is going on the Hajj pilgrimage to the Masjid al-Haram. During their daily prayers or Nawaz, Muslims face towards the direction of Mecca as it is considered to be the holiest place of Islam.
Image Source: Juraganumroh Quba Mosque:
Location - Medina, Saudi Arabia
First built - 622
After Islamic prophet Muhammad arrived to Medina from Mecca, he laid the foundation stone of the Quba Mosque. In the 20th Century, the mosque went through a major renovation where its old building was torn down and a new one was built in its place. Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil conceptualised the new building.
Image Source: Wikipedia Al-Masjid al-Nabawi:
Location - Medina, Saudi Arabia
First built - 622
This mosque is considered to be the second holiest site of Islam. Situated beside the house of Muhammad, the mosque would serve as a community centre, a court and a religious school. It also became the first site in the Arabian Peninsula to introduce electric lights in 1909. Hajj pilgrims also visit this site due to its prominent link with the life of Muhammad.
Image Source: WikipediaMasjid al-Qiblatayn:
Location - Medina, Saudi Arabia
First built - 623
No other mosque in the world contains more than one mihrab or prayer niche, except the Masjid al-Qiblatayn. This mosque is historically important as it was the place where the entire congregation of devotees changed their direction of prayer after Muhammad received the divine order. Thus, the place has two prayer niches and two qiblas, indicating towards its name.
Image Source: ElafgroupHuaisheng Mosque:
Location - Guangzhou, China
First built - 627
Huaisheng Mosque or the Lighthouse Mosque is the first mosque to be built outside the Arabian Peninsula. The name, Lighthouse Mosque, was derived from the 36-metre tall round tower that worked as a beacon for sailors. It is said that Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, uncle of Muhammad, went to China in the seventh century to preach about Islam. The mosque was rebuilt in 1350 and again in 1695.
Image Source: WikipediaCheraman Juma Masjid:
Location - Methala, Kerala
First built - 629
An Arab preacher of Islam Malik Deenar built the mosque in Kerala. It is found that trade links between Arabia and the Malabar coastal region in India had been there before the advent of Islam. King of the Chera dynasty, Cheraman Perumal went to Arabia to meet Muhammad. He embraced Islam and changed his name to Tajuddin. However, the mosque still bears the ruler's old name.
Image Source: Kerala TourismJawatha Mosque:
Location - Al-Kilabiyah, Saudi Arabia
First built - 629
Members of the Bani Abd al-Qays tribe, who were witness to the rise of Islam, built the Jawatha Mosque. It is here where the second congregation of Islam took place after the one at the Prophet's mosque. Some historians believe that when the Qarmatians had stolen the Hajr Al Aswad or the Black Stone, they kept it inside the Jawatha Mosque for more than 20 years.
Image Source: InfosaudiPalaiya Jumma Palli:
Location - Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu
First built - 628-630
Along with the Cheraman mosque, the Palaiya Jumma Palli is the oldest mosque in India. Located at the ancient port town of Kilakarai, the mosque was built by Yemeni merchants. Great Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta had visited this mosque.
Image Source: Wikipedia Masjid al-Kufa:
Location - Kufa, Iraq
First built - 670
One of the most interesting things about this mosque is that one can see Ya Ali written in Arabic in every corner of the mosque. Besides, the entire interior is decorated with verses from the Quran surrounded by golden Arabic calligraphy. Islamic prophet Ali Ibn Abi Talib was killed in one of the minarets of this mosque.
Image Source: Wikipedia Mosque of Uqba:
Location - Kairouan, Tunisia
First built - 670
Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi built this mosque when he founded the city of Kairouan. The mosque also served as a centre of education. In the ninth century, architects of an Arab dynasty called the Aghlabids renovated the mosque and gave it its current look.
Image Source: Wikipedia
5 Oldest Mosques In India
A mosque or a masjid as we commonly call it, is a place for worship for the followers of Islam, all over the world. They have come to play a crucial role in today’s times, by serving as centers for education, information and community dialogues.
There are centuries old mosques in India that are brilliant pieces of architecture and have stood through the passage of time, and stand as tall and proud as the day they were built. The basic design generally includes a central dome, minarets and columns. The call for prayer or azaan is the calling for every devout Muslim to stop what he is doing and be present in the service of the Almighty.
Like
any other place of worship, when visiting a mosque be silent, try to
focus on the grandeur and the purpose of the structure. Today we look at
five of the grandest majestic mosques in India.
5. Jama Masjid, New Delhi
Jama Masjid in New Delhi is one of the largest mosques in India. Almost 25,000 Muslims can pray at a single time in its courtyard. The construction of this massive structure was started in 1644 and can easily be regarded as an architectural marvel from Shah Jahan’s period.
The grandeur of the mosque has to be seen to be believed, it has massive three gates, four huge towers and 40 minarets that are set high up. The building is mostly made of red sandstone and marble.
4. Haji Ali Dargah – Tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari – Mumbai
The Dargah of Haji Ali is one the most religious sites in India. It is actually situated in the sea at a distance of 500 yards from the cost of Mumbai. It is a place of worship for people of all religions. In the early days it was a smaller structure that had been constructed on top of the rocks. The Trust has been responsible for it development and upkeep since 1916.
At high tide in the previous decade, a part of the mosque actually got submerged underwater. Almost fifteen thousand people pay a visit to this Dargah on a daily basis. The white dome and minarets are hard to miss from far away. The Pir Baba is supposed to grant your wishes irrespective of whether you are a Christian or Hindu or a Sikh.
3. Malik Dinar Mosque, Thalankara, Kerala
This historic place of worship is believed to have been founded by, Malik Ibn Deenar. It is very well maintained and regularly gets visitors in huge numbers. It is believed that it was Malik Ibn Deenar who brought Islam to India in 624 AD.Also See
The mosque is said to be the resting place of the peer and is very sacred to Muslims. It is believed to be one of the first ten mosques built in India. The building has a typical architectural style of Kerala.
2. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
The mosque is the biggest in the city of Hyderabad and is at a distance of 100 yards from Charminar. It is called the Mecca masjid as the design is inspired from the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Ten thousand devotees can say their prayers at one time. The Sultan Mohammed Wutb Shah had got it constructed by employing almost 8,000 laborers and masons.
It took a mammoth 77 years to finish and was finally inaugurated during the regime of Aurangzeb. The architecture is very Mughal with large spaces and halls that can accommodate as many followers.
1. Hazratbal Shrine, Kashmir
The Hazratbal Mosque can been seen on the western side of the Dal Lake. The reflection of the white marble in the clear waters is a sight to be seen. The mosque has the unique distinction of housing the hair of Prophet Muhammad. It is the only mosque in Kashmir that has a dome, while others are constructed with pagoda type roofs.
The shrine is believed to be a palatial building built by Shah Jahan that was converted into a mosque in 1634. The holy relic is for public display only on special occasions and is otherwise kept in high security.
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