Madinah, March 21, 2024, The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah stands as a beacon of Islamic architecture, its towering minarets and captivating nighttime illuminations drawing visitors' gaze from every corner of the city. This meticulous adornment reflects the reverence and care accorded to the mosque and its intricate design.
With a legacy spanning centuries, the ten minarets of the Prophet's Mosque stand as enduring symbols of Islamic architectural brilliance. Evolving through epochs of enhancement and augmentation, these minarets seamlessly integrate with the mosque's grandeur, epitomizing the pinnacle of Islamic architectural artistry.
The genesis of minarets within the precincts of the Prophet's Mosque traces back to the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), where the call to prayer was first sounded by Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah bless him) from the nearest rooftop. Subsequent to this seminal event, the Umayyad Caliphate witnessed significant expansion efforts, notably under the reign of Al-Walid ibn Abd Al-Malik, resulting in the erection of four minarets at each corner of the mosque, heralding the initial phase of minaret construction.
Throughout history, the Prophet's Mosque underwent iterative improvements, culminating in substantial expansions during the era of the Saudi state. Notably, the late King Abdulaziz Al-Saud oversaw renovations between 1370-1375 AH, retaining two southern minarets while erecting two new ones to the north, each soaring to a height of seventy meters.
Characterized by meticulous craftsmanship, each minaret comprises four distinct levels, culminating in ornate balconies adorned with intricate stalactite motifs. Subsequent expansions, spanning from 1406 AH to 1414 AH, saw the addition of six towering minarets, soaring to a height of 104 meters, complementing the architectural splendor of the initial Saudi endeavor.
The saga of expansion persisted, with the most monumental undertaking occurring in late 1434 AH, transforming the mosque's capacity to accommodate up to two million worshippers. This colossal endeavor, spearheaded under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and the global Muslim community, ensuring the sanctity and majesty of the Prophet's Mosque for generations to come.
