Overview of the Musalla Area

This article provides an overview of the historic Musalla area where several mosques associated with the Eid and rain prayers are located near the Masjid al-Nabawi, and their historical significance.

One might find it intriguing that a cluster of mosques exists in close proximity to Masjid al-Nabawi, raising curiosity about their origins. The question may arise: Why did Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali leave the Masjid al-Nabawi and the Masjid al-Ghamamah where the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) offered the Eid prayer and build their own mosques in close proximity to them?

The reality is that these mosques did not physically exist during the earthly life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed the Eid prayer in a number of places in the open area named Manakhah, it was due to this reason that this open area was named the Musalla al-Eid.

The Masjid al-Musalla - also knows as Masjid al-Ghamamah was built in the precise location in which the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) conducted the Eid prayer in the later years of his earthly life.
Upon becoming the caliph, Abu Bakr continued the tradition of performing Eid prayers in this area, and thus the Masjid constructed in this place was known as Masjid Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
A similar tradition was followed by Ali bin Ali Talib, resulting in the construction of a mosque at the site of his Eid prayer.
Masjid Umar was built in the 9th century Hijri, possibly named to complement the nearby mosques of the other two caliphs.
Following this pattern, Masjid Uthman was erected at the beginning of the 15th century Hijri, completing a set of mosques named after the four rightly guided Caliphs, as noted in "Historic Mosques in Madina" by Muhammad Ilyas Abd al-Ghani.

Imam al-Samhudi clarified this saying:

The Musalla during the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was not a masjid, rather it was an open area with no buildings. The Masjid which exist today are in the locations where the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) prayed, likewise the other two mosques. It would appear that the construction of all three was during the reign of Umar bin Abd al-Aziz 987-93 Hijri), and they are the Masjid al-Musalla, Masjid al-Siddiq and Masjid Ali, Allah be pleased with them both. [Wafa' al-Wafa 3/785]

Imam al-Samhudi also mentioned that the first Eid the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) offered in the Musalla was in the second year of the migration to Madina.

The Eid Prayer

The practice of performing Eid prayers in an open area, known as Musalla, is well-documented, with the Prophet (peace be upon him) initiating this tradition in the second year after migration to Madina. This is supported by narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari, illustrating the Prophet's routine of conducting the Eid prayer in the Musalla such as the following:

Abdullah bin Abi Hudhail narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed the Fajr prayer in his Masjid and then went to the Musalla. He sat talking with the people, and when the sun had risen he said: "We should pray now". He then prayed and delivered the sermon. [Tarikh al-Madina of Ibn Shabbah 1/142]

The Rain Prayer in the Musalla

It is established that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed the rain prayer (Istisqa) in the open area as narrated in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abbad bin Tamim from his uncle who said:

"The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) went out to the Musalla and made dua for rain. He faced the qibla, inverted his upper garment and offered two rakats of prayer."

Al-Zawra'

There is a reference to al-Zawra' in some hadith, as it is mentioned that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) conducted the rain prayer "Close to al-Zawra'", which was the elevated home of Uthman bin Affan. This was also the same building on which the additional Adhan on Jumah was introduced and delivered as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari. It's present day location is in a north easternly location from the Musalla open area and has now been incorporated into the western courtyard of the Masjid al-Nabawi after the Saudi expansion.

Prayer Upon the Najashi in the Musalla

When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) learned of the Najashi's passing away he informed people and conducted the janazah prayer for the absent (ghaib) in the place of the Musalla. It was narrated by Imams Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah that:

"The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) informed people about the Najashi on the day he passed away, he went out with them to the Musalla and performed four takbirs."

Prophetic Supplications in the Musalla Area

It is narrared from Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) that: "When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would come from a journey he would pass by the Musalla, face the qibla and stand supplicating." [Tarikh al-Madina of Ibn Shabbah 1/138]