Masjid al-Nabawi Library (Library of the Prophet's Mosque)

By the Editors of the Madain Project

The Masjid an-Nabawi Library is the oldest and most significant libraries in the city of Medina. Orginally established in 1481 CE (886 Hj.) library of prophet's mosque (مكتبة المسجد النبوي) was destroyed in a fire in year 1482 CE, which destroyed much of the holy mosque as well. The Saudi government ordered to reestablish the library in year 1933/34 CE (1352 Hj.) on the recommendation of Obaid Madani, who was then director of endowments in Madinah.

Overview

The library of the mosque on the two sides of the old Bab Majeedi. The other side, called old Bab Omar, has antiques and other precious items sent by various rulers from time to time. These areas are generally open for public during the regular office hours. The library is located on the western side of the mosque’s terrace with its entrance near Bab Imam Bukhari, gate no. 10.

Library is located within the western wing of Prophet's Mosque and serves as a modern library and archive of hand written manuscripts and other artefacts.

Masjid al-Nabawi Library

circa 1481 CE

Masjid al-Nabawi Library

Library has seven main sections; the main library has reading rooms for men, women and children, the antique manuscripts hall A and B located on the second floor of Bab Uthman, the principality exhibition of Masjid al-Nabawi's construction, department of audio library (), technical section, cataloging, digital library and rare books section. .

Notable Sections

circa 1481 CE

Masjid al-Nabawi Library

Main Reading Hall
The large reading room contains space for about 300 people at a time, along with a digital library inside the facility. The archive includes books even predating current library, like collection of books donated by philanthropists as endowments including Sheikh Muhammad al-Wazir, who donated his library to the mosque’s library in the 1902/3 (1320 Hj.).

circa 1481 CE

Antique Manuscripts Hall A at Masjid al-Nabawi Library

Antique Manuscripts Hall
One side, called old Bab Osman, contains rare documents, books and old copies of Quran. Antique manuscripts Halls at Masjid al-Nabawi Library. It contains antique manuscripts of Quran, other books and other precious items sent by various rulers from time to time. This section contains manuscripts from different eras of Islamic History, sent to Masjid an-Nabawi as gifts by various Muslim rulars and prominent people.

circa 1481 CE

Multimedia room in Masjid al-Nabawi

Multimedia Section
The multimedia section, department of audio library is located in the Bab Umar ibn al-Khattab of the Prophet's Mosque, the department keeps what is delivered in the Prophet's Mosque lessons, speeches and prayers (salah).

Notable Exhibitions

circa 1481 CE

Copy of Muhaaf Uthmani
A copy of Uthmani Quran, the original of this manuscript is believed to have blood stains of Uthman ibn Affan. The public library inside the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is a center of knowledge attracting a large number of students, researchers and pilgrims who want to enhance their knowledge on various Islamic topics.

Bab-i Imam Bukhari, Masjid al-Nabawi

Gate no. 10, named after Imam al-Bukhari is located on the western flank of Masjid. It offfers access to the Maktab ae Masjid al-Nabawi as well. It is located between the Bab e Malik al-Saud and Bab e Malik abdul Majeed.

Gallery

External Resources

References

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