The Green Dome of Masjid Nabawi
Peace and Blessings on Our Prophet-Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).When we talk of the Green Dome the first Picture that Comes into Our Mind is that of Masjid Nabawi-The Mosque of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa sallam).You Will be Surprised to know that a Number of Myth is doing Round about the Green dome of Masjid Nabawi. Let us Read Some Astonishing Facts about the Green Dome of Masjid Nabawi.
1)There is a grave on the dome/tomb of Masjid Nabawi.
Among the many false rumours promoted by few individuals/groups is that there is a grave/dead body buried on the Green Dome of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Supposedly, a man tried to demolish the Green Dome and was struck by lightning. He is therefore buried there a sign. For Instance, this Message:
“This was a miracle happened around 90 years ago narrated by Sheikh Al-Zubaidi.
A person tried to demolish the Dome of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) – Masjid Al Nabawi (Gumbad-e-Khizra). However, when some one climbed over the dome to start the demolition, a sudden Lightning struck him and the climber died at the spot and no one was able to remove his body from the top of the dome!!! It was also said that a pious man from Madina heard a voice in his dream that no one can take out the dead body from the Dome and that he should be buried their as a warning and a lesson for those who may think of attempting to demolish it in future!!!
Finally, they decided to bury the man right there on the dome and to cover his body with a green box so it won’t be visible to people.”
Whereas the truth is that It is a window, now covered to seal and avoid any ingress of water into the Dome.
The first window in ceiling was made in directives of Hazrath e Aisha Siddiqa (Radi Allahu Anha) during the time when people of Madina got in grip of severe drought, the window and the line of projection from sky to blessed grave was maintained every time there was expansion of Mosque/Dome.
Al-Darimi in the Chapter 15 of the Muqaddima (Introduction) to his Sunan (1:43) entitled: “Allah’s generosity to His Prophet after his death,”
Relates from Aws ibn Abd (رضي اللہ تعالی عنہ) Allah with a good chain.
“The people of Madina complained to A’isha (رضي اللہ تعالی عنہ) of the severe drought that they were suffering. She said: “Go to the Prophet’s grave and open a window towards the sky so that there will be no roof between him and the sky.” They did so, after which they were watered with such rain that vegetation grew and the camels got fat. That year was named the Year of Plenty.”
See the Clear Picture and the Diagram of the Green Dome below.
The Position of the Window is clear in the Diagram below :
Window is necessary as you see that the Dome is closed on all Sides and there are People Looking after the Body of our Dear Prophet(pbuh) in the Sacred Chamber.And Do You Know who are the Lucky People blessed with the task of caring for the Sacred Chamber? They are No Ordinary People.They are the Eunuchs from Abyssinia.Hardly any People Know about them.They Love to live secluded and even drink in the Paper cups and dispose them.They do not like to Meet People.Sadly they are getting Extinct and there are hardly 5 Eunuchs left in Medina today.The King of Saudi Arabia Ordered for their Photographs to be taken and a Documentary be Made. See their Photographs
2)The Green Dome was Always green and so green represents the Color of Islam.
You will be Shocked to Know that the Green Dome was NOT always Green.It Was made Out of Wood and was Colourless.Then It was Painted White and Blue/Purple in Later Restorations.The current dome was added in 1818 by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II. The dome was first painted green in 1837.
Muslims Love Green because the Dress of the Jannah would be Green as we learn from the Hadiths.See :A Tour of Jannah.
The History of the Green Dome
Professor ‘Ali Haafiz (may Allaah preserve him) said in his Book Fusool min Tareekh al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah (p. 127, 128).
There was no dome over the sacred chamber. There was in the roof of the mosque above the chamber a waist-high enclosure of brick to distinguish the location of the chamber from the rest of the mosque’s roof.
Sultaan Qalawoon al-Saalihi was the first one to build a dome over the chamber. He did that in 678 AH. It was square at the bottom and octagonal at the top, made of wood, and built on top of the pillars that surrounded the chamber. Planks of wood were nailed to it, over which plates of lead were placed, and the brick enclosure was replaced with one made of wood.
The dome was refurbished at the time of al-Naasir Hasan ibn Muhammad Qalawoon, then the leaden plates slipped, but they were fixed and refurbished at the time of al-Ashraf Sha’baan ibn Husayn ibn Muhammad in 765 AH. It fell into disrepair and was renovated at the time of Sultaan Qayit Bey in 881 AH.
The chamber and dome were burned in the fire that swept through the Prophet’s mosque in 886 AH. During the reign of Sultaan Qayit Bey the dome was rebuilt, in 887 AH, and strong pillars to support it were built in the floor of the mosque, and they were built of bricks to the correct height. After the dome had been built in the manner described above, cracks appeared in its upper part. When it proved impossible to refurbish it, the Sultaan Qayit Bey ordered that the upper part be demolished and rebuilt strongly using white plaster. So it was built solidly in 892 AH.
In 1253 AH, an order was issued by the Ottoman Sultan ‘Abd al-Hameed to paint the dome green. He was the first one to colour it green, and the colour has been renewed whenever necessary until the present.
It became known as the green dome after it was painted green. It was previously known as the white dome or the fragrant dome or the blue dome.
CHECK These Other Rare Known Facts about the Green Dome of Masjid Nabawi:
A)The Green Dome also Known as the Gumabad e Khijra was first constructed in late 1279 A.D (678 H), went through several modifications, last renovated and painted green in 1837 A.D. comprises of the following:
- Inner Chamber: The inner chamber (Hujra/house of Hazrath e Aisha Siddiqa ra) in which the Prophet is resting. The original Hujra, the size & space is assumed to be unaffected apart from strengthening it with stone walls and timber ceiling. The room is completely sealed except a small window in ceiling, which was opened during the time of Hazrath-e-Aisha ra.
- Internal dome: This is the first tomb/tomb structure constructed over Inner Chamber.
- Pentagonal Wall: 5 high walls covering the Hujrah, were constructed in 709 AD (108 H), the pentagonal wall has no door or windows and that the chamber is completely surrounded/sealed within these covering walls.
- The Lead Trench: Constructed in late 1100 AD to prevent from crusaders after an attempt made to reach and pull out the sacred body of Prophet (peace be upon him )Read about the Plots made to steal Prophet’s Body.
- The Green Dome: The original dome structure was built over the prophet’s tomb in 1279 AD. Initially the structure was made out of wood. Afterwards, in late 1481 AD following a fire mishap, the structure was called for reconstruction and restoration. The foundation works were replaced with bricks and the wooden dome covered with lead plates to avoid future damages. Later on the dome was painted green as we see today.
B)Initially Prophet Muhammad’s Tomb Contained Gold and Silver Jewels which were later Stripped Off.
c)The grave of Prophet Muhammad inside the Green Dome itself cannot be seen from the Rawdah as the area is cordoned off by a gold mesh and black curtains. The grave itself is not embellished or decorated and is two cubits, 41 inches (100 cm), high.
You Might like to Read:Blessed Spots inside Masjid Nabawi
Salam and Darud on My Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
JazakAllah khair.
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@Islam Hashtag. All right then. That, alongside with the Hajj might be a privilege for muslims only. Thank you for your attention.
i like your thought kalim
Great content. Greetings from Brazil. I would like to know if it is posible to visit the Masjid Nabawi without being a muslim.
@Gustavo Dante Thanks for stopping by to read the Post. Well there are Non Muslims around Madina but it is generally not allowed for Non Muslims to enter the Masjid.I will also not deny that there have been people who are Non-Muslims and have visited Masjid Nabawi but in case you get caught by the Police you may get into big trouble.
Aafia thanks for beautiful info. I suggest please edit Prophet (SAW) to Prophet (Sallalla Hu Alaihi Wasallam)…Bcoz its a durood and should never be written in short form. Infact if u write in full for people will read it and u will be blessed with Sawab… jajakAllah khair