The Rewards of Praying in Quba Mosque
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighted certain mosques that offer greater rewards for prayer compared to others. Among these is Quba Mosque, where praying is equivalent to performing Umrah. The Prophet consistently visited Quba every Saturday to pray, a practice emulated by his companions. Umar ibn al-Khattab further emphasized the significance of Quba Mosque with the statement: “If Quba Mosque were located within our reach, we would travel on foot to it.”
The First Mosque in Islam
Quba Mosque holds a special status as it is the first mosque ever built in Islam. Its construction was initiated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions shortly after their arrival in Medina, fleeing from Mecca. The building of this mosque was marked by joy and enthusiasm, symbolizing the initial steps toward communal prayers and gatherings in Islam. Allah’s approval of this construction is evident from His words in the Qur’an: “The mosque founded on piety from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in it; in it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” It is also notable that Quba Mosque is located five kilometers southwest of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, a site blessed by the Prophet’s she-camel when it stopped in that location.
Comparing the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque
While the Prophet (peace be upon him) acknowledged the significant reward for praying in Quba Mosque, he did not state that the rewards for these prayers are multiplied. In contrast, he mentioned that praying in the Prophet’s Mosque offers a reward equal to one thousand prayers elsewhere, except for Al-Masjid Al-Haram, saying: “Prayer in this mosque of mine is superior to a thousand prayers elsewhere, except in Al-Masjid Al-Haram.” This highlights the greater merit of prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque compared to that in Quba Mosque.