Officially called the Masjid an-Nimrah Bi-Mash'r 'Arafat (مسجد النمرة بمشعر عرفات), literally meaning the an-Nimrah mosque in the sacred precinct of Arafat.

Namira is the name of a small mountain on the western side (approx 1200 meters away) of the mosque to which it gives its name. Pilgrims perform the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers combined and shortened there, following the example of the Prophet, who traveled from Mina to ‘Arafat to stay in his tent at Namira. This occurs on the Day of ‘Arafa, the ninth day of the month of Dhi'l-Hijja. After the sun passed its zenith, he moved to the valley of ‘Urana, where he delivered a sermon and prayed with the people. The Mosque of Namira has undergone several expansions over the course of its history, the most recent being in the Saudi era to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims. It has thus become one of the largest mosques in the world.

Masjid al-Namirah plays a central role during the Hajj pilgrimage. On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafah, the annual Hajj sermon is delivered from its pulpit to hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who gather around the site. The combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed here, following the practice established by the Prophet during his Ḥijjat al-Wadāʿ (Farewell Pilgrimage). The mosque thus serves both a religious and symbolic role, marking the focal point of worship on what is regarded as the holiest day of the pilgrimage.

In its present state, Masjid al-Namirah has undergone significant expansion and modernization. It now covers approximately 110,000 square metres and can accommodate around 350,000 worshippers at a time. The complex has been equipped with extensive facilities to handle the massive influx of pilgrims: multiple large entrances for crowd flow, high-capacity air-conditioning and ventilation systems, and integrated safety and broadcast infrastructure to relay the sermon across Arafat. The Saudi authorities have overseen major renovations in recent decades, ensuring that the structure remains functional and comfortable under extreme climatic conditions, particularly during the intense summer heat.

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The origins of Masjid al-Namirah can be traced to the early Abbasid period, most likely around the 9th century CE. The site itself, however, has been sacred since the earliest days of Islam because of its association with the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Prophet Muhammad is recorded to have camped at Namirah before delivering his final sermon at the base of Uranah and later proceeding into the plain of Arafat for the standing (wuquf). Early Muslim rulers commemorated this momentous event by constructing a mosque at or near the site where the Prophet stayed.

Throughout Islamic history, the mosque has been repeatedly renovated and expanded to accommodate the growing numbers of pilgrims attending the Hajj. Various dynasties, including the Abbasids and later the Ottomans, undertook restorations to preserve its religious importance. The most extensive expansions occurred under the modern Saudi state, beginning in the 20th century CE and continuing through the present century. These projects transformed the mosque from a modest historical structure into a vast modern complex capable of hosting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Religious scholars have long discussed the exact boundaries of Namirah, Uranah, and Arafat, since these geographical demarcations determine the validity of certain pilgrimage rites. While part of the mosque lies within the valley of Uranah—technically outside the area designated as Arafat—its rear sections extend into Arafat itself. Pilgrims are therefore instructed to perform their standing within the proper Arafat boundary, which is clearly demarcated within the mosque’s compound.

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Architecturally, Masjid al-Namirah reflects a synthesis of historic tradition and modern functionality. The earliest versions of the mosque, built during the Abbasid era, would have been simple open-air prayer spaces demarcated by modest walls, typical of early Islamic religious architecture in the Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the mosque’s form evolved in both scale and design, culminating in the present structure that merges monumental scale with the technical precision required for managing one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

The current complex features six minarets, each rising to a height of approximately sixty metres, making the mosque a visible landmark across the Arafat plain. Three large domes crown the central prayer hall, designed to enhance both acoustics and thermal regulation. The mosque includes ten main entrances and a total of sixty-four doors, allowing pilgrims to enter and exit efficiently even at peak capacity.

The surrounding courtyards and open areas are fitted with canopies and heat-reduction technologies, including reflective paving, misting fans, and shade structures that can reduce surface temperatures by nearly ten degrees Celsius. The ventilation system has been engineered to renew the air completely twice per hour in key sections, maintaining freshness despite the density of worshippers. The lighting and electrical systems have been upgraded to energy-efficient LED installations, and water-cooling units and drainage systems are distributed throughout the site.

Supporting facilities include a broadcast control room for global transmission of the Arafat sermon, integrated surveillance and safety systems, and landscaped surroundings with trees and greenery to soften the otherwise arid setting. The boundary of the mosque is carefully designed to align with the religious geography of Arafat and Uranah, ensuring that pilgrims can fulfill the rites of standing at Arafat within the correct legal limits.