If one wants to visit the mosque that has been known to the holiest mosque, it has to be Masjid Al-Nabawi, located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The most salient architectural feature about this mosque is its huge green dome that elevates amongst the sea of other white domes in the same mosque. History has it that this is where Prophet Mohammed was buried, and so his tomb is located there. The beauty of the marbles and the perforations inside the paved floor carry a lot of meaning to the Islam people. From the historical perspective, how the mosque was built and by the prophet, who built it, has influenced the way people pray and how they enter the mosque.

The mosque was built by the prophet himself, where he decided to settle after his (Hijrah) emigration to Medina at around 622 AD. From our forefather stories, I have heard that the mosque was used for different reasons including serving as a community centre, religious school and as a court. The mosque was not as large as it is today; after Prophet Mohammed built it, the subsequent leaders continued to expand it so that it could accommodate the increasing number of Muslims. There is something that has also been astonishing about this particular mosque-the markings on the wall. The same way I know that every section within a mosque holds some particular meaning, the Prophet’s mosque has different markings on its walls which mark different meanings for each historical era and spiritual significance. Strangely, I have heard that some of the markings are hidden in secret puzzle because they can distract the main purpose of the prayers.

Today, the mosque is known to accommodate more than half a million people. I have learned several of the symbolic meanings of the mosque from my mother who stays in Medina. She describes that the mosques is covered by green carpets and tears of millions; a garden of paradise where Muslims go after they have performed Hajj in Mecca. The green dome that holds a lot of significance to me based on my faith. It reminds me of my deed (goods and bad) that I have committed on earth and that Allah will grant me mercy and forgiveness. The very purpose I will want to visit the sanctuary is its spiritual connection; I believe that the green dome will feel my heart with love and affection.

My mother once told me that at the heart of the gleaming white marbles and the six standing minarets, there is place called ar-Rawdahan-Nabawiyah. The place holds only a hundred people and, is believed that prayers and supplications uttered at that place are never rejected. According to rulings made by great leaders, when one is visiting the prophet’s mosque, he should visit it with the intent only to pray and not to visit Prophet Mohammed’s grave. My mother told me that mosque is deemed to be a holy place insofar that it is impermissible for one to rub against the wall of the Prophet’s grave. She also said that the six standing minarets hold some purpose; they represent locations where the great leaders used to climb and give adhan (prayer calls). As such, the minarets are considered to serve as an inspirational connection between Muslim and Allah.

The impeccable beauty of the Prophet’s mosque has made it to literally proclaim itself as “Heaven on Earth”. Nonetheless, deep down the gardens of paradise, there are lots of mysteries that we do not know about and I wish that one day I will get the chance to learn about the interesting facts