Secret Basement Library of Masjid Nabawi in Madina

By Ustadha Fahmina

Secret Basement Library of Masjid Nabawi: Less known Place in Madina

You prayed in Masjid Nabawi… But did you ever go UNDER it?Many visitors walk right above it without knowing. Let me tell you about the secret Basement Library in Masjid Nabawi not many people know about.

Beneath the blessed grounds of Masjid Nabawi, at the basement level (P2), there is a remarkable museum-style section connected to the basement library in Masjid Nabawi.

This space quietly preserves some of the most precious pieces of Islamic manuscript history — reminders of how the Qur’an and Hadith were protected long before printing presses and modern paper existed.

If you are planning a visit to Madinah, this is something truly special to include in your journey.

What You Will Find at Basement Level (P2)

Inside this lower level, you may find:

• Copies of Sahih al-Bukhari over 200 years old
• A Hadith manuscript approximately 600 years old
• A copy attributed to the era of the Mushaf of ʿUthman (RA)
• Qur’anic text written on camel bones
• Qur’anic verses written on date palm branches

Before paper became widely available, the Qur’an was preserved on:

• Animal bones
• Palm stalks
• Leather parchment
• Stones
• Memorized in the hearts of the companions

These preserved artifacts give visitors a visual connection to that sacred process of preservation.

The Mushaf of ʿUthman (RA)

Uthman ibn Affan

During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (RA), the Qur’an was standardized and compiled into a single written form to preserve unity among Muslims. Copies were then sent to major regions of the Muslim world.

Seeing a manuscript connected to that historical preservation process reminds us how carefully the Qur’an was guarded generation after generation.

How to Reach the Basement Library (P2 Level)

If you wish to visit:

✅ Go to Gate 368. it is between 368 and 369
✅ Take the lift down to P2 level
✅ Use the second entrance

(Access rules may change depending on mosque administration, so always confirm locally.)

Why This Visit Is Powerful

The basement library in Masjid Nabawi is not just about old books. It is a living testimony to:

• The oral and written preservation of the Qur’an
• The dedication of early Muslim scribes
• The protection of Hadith scholarship
• The scholarly legacy of Madinah

When you stand there and see Qur’anic verses written on bones and palm branches, you realize how different preservation was before modern printing — and how miraculously the Qur’an reached us unchanged.

FAQ – Basement Library in Masjid Nabawi (P2 Level)

1. Is the basement library in Masjid Nabawi the same as a museum?

It includes a museum-style section displaying rare manuscripts and historical Qur’anic materials, in addition to research resources.

2. Can anyone visit the P2 level basement library in Masjid Nabawi?

Access may depend on current mosque regulations, timing, and crowd management policies.

3. Are the Qur’an manuscripts original?

Some are original historical manuscripts, while others may be preserved copies for display purposes.

4. Is the Mushaf of Uthman (RA) the original copy?

The original copies were distributed to different regions. What is displayed may be a preserved manuscript connected to that era or tradition.

5. What is special about Qur’an written on bones and palm branches?

Before paper became common, companions wrote revelation on available materials like camel bones and palm stalks while simultaneously memorizing it. This demonstrates the dual preservation method: written and memorized.

Before Your Next Madinah Trip

If Allah grants you another visit to Madinah, remember:

The basement library in Masjid Nabawi at P2 level is a hidden treasure beneath the mosque — a quiet reminder of how this Ummah protected the Book of Allah.

Save this before your next Madinah trip.🤍

Written by

Ustadha Fahmina

Founder

Ustadha Fahmina holds a Sanad in Alimiyyah (6-year Dars-e-Nizami) from two recognized Islamic institutes and a Master's degree in Arabic from Indira Gandhi National University. She teaches Qur'an, Tafsir, Hadith, and Fiqh following the Hanafi school within Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah. She founded Islam Hashtag in 2015 to bring authentic Islamic learning to Muslim families online. She also holds a degree in Optometry and is the founder of Optometryskills.com.

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