Quba Mosque, on the southern edge of Madinah, is considered the first mosque in the world. It was founded by the Prophet Muhammad when he arrived from Makkah on his migration, and it remains one of the most visited mosques in Madinah.

The first mosque

According to Islamic tradition, during his migration from Makkah to Madinah the Prophet stopped in the village of Quba, then about six kilometres from the city. He is said to have laid the mosque's first stone himself, with the next ones laid by Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, and the building was completed by his companions.

The Prophet is said to have returned to pray at Quba every Saturday, and tradition holds that praying two units of prayer here carries the reward of an Umrah. Many visitors follow that practice today.

Rebuilt through the ages

The mosque was enlarged under the caliph Uthman and rebuilt and extended many times over the centuries. In the 1980s it was completely replaced by the bright white building that stands today, with slender minarets and large domes over a wide prayer hall.

Tips for your visit

• Who can visit — the mosque is for Muslim visitors.
• Getting there — it is a short drive of about 3 km from the Prophet's Mosque.
• Dates — the shops around Quba are a good place to buy Madinah's famous dates.
• Cooler months — November to March are the most comfortable time of year.