Quba Mosque
The oldest mosque in Islam, built by the Prophet Muhammad himself in 622 CE.
Quba Mosque holds a place unlike any other in Islamic history: it is considered the first mosque ever built, constructed by the Prophet Muhammad upon his arrival in Medina after the Hijra — his migration from Mecca — in 622 CE. The Prophet reportedly said that praying two rak'ahs here earns the reward of a full Umrah pilgrimage, which makes this site one of the most spiritually significant stops in all of Medina, second only to the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) in the city centre. For the world's 1.8 billion Muslims, visiting Quba is not just sightseeing — it is an act of devotion with deep theological weight.
The mosque you see today is a handsome modern structure rebuilt and greatly expanded by the Saudi government in the 1980s, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of worshippers. The architecture is clean and commanding — white marble, rows of domes, and four tall minarets that punctuate the skyline. Inside, the prayer halls are cool, serene, and beautifully maintained. The site marks the exact location where the Prophet laid the first stones himself, and a small area within preserves this historical core. Non-Muslim visitors are generally not permitted to enter mosques in Saudi Arabia, so this is a destination primarily for Muslim pilgrims and visitors.
Quba sits in the southern part of Medina, about 5 kilometres from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, making it an easy addition to any Medina itinerary — most visitors combine it with a broader tour of the city's religious sites. The mosque is open around the clock, but it comes alive particularly on Saturday mornings, when locals follow the Prophetic tradition of visiting Quba on that day. The surrounding area has cafes, date shops, and vendors selling Islamic books and prayer goods, so you can easily make a leisurely half-morning of the visit.