Today the Prophet's Mosque has ten minarets, four on the northern flank, two on the northern flank of first Saudi expansion, two minarets on the southern flank of the expansion by King Fahad ibn Abdul Aziz, and two in the extreme south. The first minarets (four in number) were 26 feet (7.9 meters) high, were added in 91 Hijri.
Historically, the first minarets were added during the caliphate of Omar bin Abdul Aziz, four minarets were added to the mosque, which are said to have been used by Muazzins for Adhans (Islamic call to prayers). He was the first Caliph to undertake major reconstruction projects in Madina. These minarets were 26 meters high placed on a base of 8x8 zir’a dimensions.
In the year 97 Hijri (716 CE) Suleyman ibn Abdulmalik removed the upper portion of the minaret on the south-west corner for it was violating the privacy of someone’s home.
The mosque remained with three minarets for centuries until 706 (1306-7 CE) when Muhammad ibn Qalavun added another one called the Bab al-Salam minaret. This minaret was later renovated by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV.
When the Masjid al-Nabawi was completely ruined as a result of a major thunderbolt in 13 Ramadan 886 (5 November 1481), all four minarets were re-built together with other parts of the mosque.
Out of all other minarets that were built during the Ottoman era by Sultans Suleyman the Magnificient and Abdulmecid in the Ottoman architectural style only one survives today, the Bab as-Salam Minaret. Rest were rebuilt in the modern style.
After the expansion and renovation project of 1994 CE, there were ten minarets which were 104 metres (341 feet) high. The minarets' upper, bottom and middle portion are cylindrical, octagonal and square shaped respectively.
circa 1307 CE
Bab Salam Ottoman Era Minaret
The Bab as-Salam Minaret, is located over the Bab as-Salam. Bab as-Salam Minaret was originally commissioned to be built in 1307 CE by Muhammad ibn Kalavun. Bab as-Salam Minaret is the fifth one added to the original four minarets of Umer ibn Abdul Aziz and it was later renovated by Mehmed IV. It is the shortest of all the current minarets and is built in typical Ottoman style.
circa 700 CE
Bab Baqi Minaret
The Bab al-Baqi Minaret, is located over the al-Baqi Gate, it is the closest minaret to the Green Dome (القبة الخضراء). Located on the south-east corner, the minaret is decorated with subtle and most beautiful examples of the Mamluki art. Since the head muadhdhin gives adhan in this minaret, it is called Raisiyya.
circa 1483 CE
Minaret of Qaitabi
Qaytbai installed another minaret over the Bab al-Rahmah (the Mercy Gate). This minaret was demolished during the first Saudi expansion of Masjid al-Nabawi.
circa 1483 CE
Minarets of Bab Malik Fahad
There are two minarets of Bab Malik Fahad, located on the northern flank of the mosque. The minarets are two of the six tallest minarets, reaching a height of 104 meters. These minarets were added during the last Saudi explansion of Masjid al-Nabawi.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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