A Comparative Study on the Architectural and Symbolic Values of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi

Nilgün Çevik

Article Details

A Comparative Study on the Architectural and Symbolic Values of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi

Authors:

Nilgün Çevik

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İslam Tarihi

Journal:

Tasavvur / Tekirdağ İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.333-369

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351330

pISSN:

2619-9130

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Throughout human history, places of worship, such as monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, have been regarded as sacred spaces. Central to this concept lies the idea of sacred space as a site where divinity manifests. For believers, such spaces serve as reminders of Gods greatness and their own sense of belonging and humility. They foster devotion, sub-mission, gratitude, and reverence while also symbolizing purification and renewal. In Islamic belief, al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi are the two most significant mosques, collectively referred to as al-Masjidayn the Two Mosques. Together, these two mosques served as spiritual centers shaping Muslim society and supporting the spread of Islam. Al-Masjid al-Haram distinguished Makkah, he Prophet Muhammads birthplace and the city where he began his prophetic mission; the Masjid an-Nabawi distingu-ished Medina, where he spent the second half of his mission, led the Muslim community as a head of state, and passed away. The aim of this study is to examine the religious, historical, and social functions, as well as the archi-tectural and symbolic depth of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi through a comparative approach, thereby identifying the similari-ties and differences between the two mosques. In line with this objective, a qualitative method has been adopted; through thematic analysis of Islamic historical sourcesparticularly works on the urban histories of Makkah and Medinathe structural and functional characteristics of both mosques are addressed comparatively. Both the Kaaba and al-Masjid an-Nabawi were initially built as simple, roofless structures with only modest enclosures. Over time, various architectural elements such as roofs, columns, and cano-pies were added to meet the growing needs of the Muslim community. The columns within the Kaaba were originally made of wood and served only to support the roof. It is recorded that the Prophet Muḥammad prayed inside the Kaaba, standing between the two front pillars. However, he did not encourage praying within the Kaaba itself. In contrast, al-Masjid an-Nabawi holds a distinct feature: the Prophet encouraged believers to enter this area. Ultimately, this study argues that even though al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi differ in terms of architecture and func-tion, they form a complementary whole in the spiritual lives of Muslims. The historical and religious elements of these two mosques provide a sense of unity for believers, fostering a profound connection between them, their Lord, and their Prophet. This article aims to make an original academic contribution to the current literature by examining the architectural and symbolic dimensions of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi thro-ugh a comparative approach, focusing on their place, meaning, and value within Islamic civilization.

 Throughout human history, places of worship, such as monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, have been regarded as sacred spaces. Central to this concept lies the idea of sacred space as a site where divinity manifests. For believers, such spaces serve as reminders of Gods greatness and their own sense of belonging and humility. They foster devotion, sub-mission, gratitude, and reverence while also symbolizing purification and renewal. In Islamic belief, al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi are the two most significant mosques, collectively referred to as al-Masjidayn the Two Mosques. Together, these two mosques served as spiritual centers shaping Muslim society and supporting the spread of Islam. Al-Masjid al-Haram distinguished Makkah, he Prophet Muhammads birthplace and the city where he began his prophetic mission; the Masjid an-Nabawi distingu-ished Medina, where he spent the second half of his mission, led the Muslim community as a head of state, and passed away. The aim of this study is to examine the religious, historical, and social functions, as well as the archi-tectural and symbolic depth of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi through a comparative approach, thereby identifying the similari-ties and differences between the two mosques. In line with this objective, a qualitative method has been adopted; through thematic analysis of Islamic historical sourcesparticularly works on the urban histories of Makkah and Medinathe structural and functional characteristics of both mosques are addressed comparatively. Both the Kaaba and al-Masjid an-Nabawi were initially built as simple, roofless structures with only modest enclosures. Over time, various architectural elements such as roofs, columns, and cano-pies were added to meet the growing needs of the Muslim community. The columns within the Kaaba were originally made of wood and served only to support the roof. It is recorded that the Prophet Muḥammad prayed inside the Kaaba, standing between the two front pillars. However, he did not encourage praying within the Kaaba itself. In contrast, al-Masjid an-Nabawi holds a distinct feature: the Prophet encouraged believers to enter this area. Ultimately, this study argues that even though al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi differ in terms of architecture and func-tion, they form a complementary whole in the spiritual lives of Muslims. The historical and religious elements of these two mosques provide a sense of unity for believers, fostering a profound connection between them, their Lord, and their Prophet. This article aims to make an original academic contribution to the current literature by examining the architectural and symbolic dimensions of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi thro-ugh a comparative approach, focusing on their place, meaning, and value within Islamic civilization.

 Throughout human history, places of worship, such as monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, have been regarded as sacred spaces. Central to this concept lies the idea of sacred space as a site where divinity manifests. For believers, such spaces serve as reminders of Gods greatness and their own sense of belonging and humility. They foster devotion, sub-mission, gratitude, and reverence while also symbolizing purification and renewal. In Islamic belief, al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi are the two most significant mosques, collectively referred to as al-Masjidayn the Two Mosques. Together, these two mosques served as spiritual centers shaping Muslim society and supporting the spread of Islam. Al-Masjid al-Haram distinguished Makkah, he Prophet Muhammads birthplace and the city where he began his prophetic mission; the Masjid an-Nabawi distingu-ished Medina, where he spent the second half of his mission, led the Muslim community as a head of state, and passed away. The aim of this study is to examine the religious, historical, and social functions, as well as the archi-tectural and symbolic depth of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi through a comparative approach, thereby identifying the similari-ties and differences between the two mosques. In line with this objective, a qualitative method has been adopted; through thematic analysis of Islamic historical sourcesparticularly works on the urban histories of Makkah and Medinathe structural and functional characteristics of both mosques are addressed comparatively. Both the Kaaba and al-Masjid an-Nabawi were initially built as simple, roofless structures with only modest enclosures. Over time, various architectural elements such as roofs, columns, and cano-pies were added to meet the growing needs of the Muslim community. The columns within the Kaaba were originally made of wood and served only to support the roof. It is recorded that the Prophet Muḥammad prayed inside the Kaaba, standing between the two front pillars. However, he did not encourage praying within the Kaaba itself. In contrast, al-Masjid an-Nabawi holds a distinct feature: the Prophet encouraged believers to enter this area. Ultimately, this study argues that even though al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid an-Nabawi differ in terms of architecture and func-tion, they form a complementary whole in the spiritual lives of Muslims. The historical and religious elements of these two mosques provide a sense of unity for believers, fostering a profound connection between them, their Lord, and their Prophet. This article aims to make an original academic contribution to the current literature by examining the architectural and symbolic dimensions of al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi thro-ugh a comparative approach, focusing on their place, meaning, and value within Islamic civilization.

 İnsanlık tarihinde manastır, kilise, havra ve mescid ismiyle tanımlanan mâbedler kutsal mekânlar olarak bilinir. Mâbed anlayışının temelinde uluhi-yetin tecelli ettiği yer olarak kutsal mekân telakkisi yer almaktadır. Kutsal mekân; oranın kutsiyetine inanan müntesiplerine Allahın büyüklüğünü ve kendi aidiyetleri ile acziyetlerini hatırlatır. Bu, kişinin kendini Allaha ada-ması ve Onun emirlerine boyun eğmesi duygusunu geliştirerek minnet, şük-ran ve saygı hissiyatları ile arınma ve yenilenme duygularını pekiştirir. İslam inancına göre Mescid-i Harâm ve Mescid-i Nebevî iki önemli mescittir. İkisi, iki mescid manasında Mescideyn ismiyle bilinmektedir. Bu iki mescid, Müslümanlar için manevi bir merkez olmakla birlikte İslamın yayılışında ve Müslüman toplumunun şekillenmesinde önemli roller üstlenmiştir. Mescid-i Harâm, Hz. Peygamberin doğup büyüdüğü, gençliğini geçirdiği ve risalet görevini üstlendiği Mekkeyi; Mescidi Nebevî de nübüvvetinin yaklaşık ikin-ci yarısını geçirdiği, devlet başkanı olarak hayatını sürdürdüğü ve vefat etti-ği Medineyi ayrıcaklı kılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Mescid-i Harâm ile Mescid-i Nebevînin dini, tarihi, içtimai işlevlerinin yanı sıra mimari ve sem-bolik derinliklerini karşılaştırmalı bir yaklaşımla inceleyerek, iki mescid ara-sındaki benzerlik ve farklılıkları ortaya koymaktır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmada nitel bir yöntem benimsenmiş; İslâm tarihi kaynakları özellikle Mekke ve Medine şehir tarihi eserleri üzerinden tematik analiz yoluyla her iki mesci-din yapısal ve fonksiyonel özellikleri karşılaştırmalı olarak ele alınmıştır. Zira Kâbe ve Mescid-i Nebevî; inşalarının başlangıcında basit bir yapıdır. Her iki mabedin bir insan boyunda tavansız inşa edildiği ve çatıları olma-dığı zamanla eksiklikleri hissedilen ihtiyaçlara istinaden çatı, gölgelik, sütun gibi unsurlarla muhteviyatının tamamlandığı, giderek mütemmim bir ma-bed haline geldiği anlaşılmaktadır. Kâbenin dahilinde bulunan sütunlar ahşap malzemeden ve çatının ağırlığını taşımak üzere yapılmıştır, özel bir fonksiyona sahip değillerdir. Yine Hz. Peygamberin bu sütunların yanında namaz kıldığı bilinmektedir. Rasûlullah Mekkenin fethinde Kâbenin içinde, kapıdan içeri girince ön taraftaki iki direğin arasında ve ikinci sütunun sa-ğında ve biraz ilerisinde namaz kılmıştır. Ancak, Kâbenin içinde namaz kılmayı teşvik etmiş değildir. Mescid-i Nebevîde ise daha farklı bir hususiyet söz konusudur: Hz. Peygamber buraya girmeyi özendirmiştir. Son olarak, Hz. Peygamberin hayatında süreç olarak ayrı ayrı zaman diliminde yaşadı-ğı Mescid-i Harâm ve Mescid-i Nebevî nezdindeki unsurların müminlerin hayatında bir bütünlük oluşturucu etkiye sahip olduğu anlatılmıştır. Mima-risi ve fonksiyonları farklı olan Mescid-i Harâm ve Mescid-i Nebevînin bir bütünün parçası olarak birbirlerini tamamladığı ve bu mescitleri ziyaret eden bir Müslümana Rabbi ve peygamberiyle güçlü bir bağ kurmasını sağ-ladığı vurgulanmaktadır. Bu makale, Mescid-i Harâm ve Mescid-i Ne-bevînin mimari ve sembolik boyutlarını karşılaştırmalı bir yaklaşımla ele alarak, bu iki mescidin İslam medeniyetindeki yeri, anlamı ve değeri üzerine ilgili literatüre özgün bir akademik katkı sunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Article Details

A Comparative Study on the Architectural and Symbolic Values of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi

Authors:

Nilgün Çevik

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İslam Tarihi

Journal:

Tasavvur / Tekirdağ İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.333-369

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351330

pISSN:

2619-9130

Islamic History

Masjid al-Haram

Masjid an-Nabawi

Place

Sacred Site

Architectur

Symbolİslâm tarihi

Mescid-i Harâm

Mescid-i Nebevî

Mekân

Makam

Mimari

Sembol

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Nilgün Çevik

Publisher: Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics: İslam Tarihi

Journal: Tasavvur / Tekirdağ İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.333-369

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001351330

pISSN: 2619-9130

Issues

Authors:

Nilgün Çevik

Publisher:

Tekirdag Namik Kemal University

Main Topics:

İslam Tarihi

Journal:

Tasavvur / Tekirdağ İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.333-369

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351330

pISSN:

2619-9130