The First Mosque in Islam: Masjid Quba and Its Lasting Legacy

History and Culture

Who Built the First Mosque? A Look at Islam’s Earliest House of Worship

Jul 04, 2025 16 Views

When asked about the most famous mosque in Islamic history, many immediately think of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Yet fewer people know that the first mosque ever built in Islamic history was not in central Madinah, but in a small village nearby: Masjid Quba.

The story begins during the Hijrah—the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s migration from Makkah to Madinah. Before formally entering the city, he stayed briefly in Quba, a village just outside Madinah. During this short stay, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions built a mosque with their own hands. This humble structure became the first mosque in Islam, established even before the Muslim community had a formal capital.

What makes this event so meaningful is not just its historical timing, but its message: the priority of worship. The Muslims were still refugees, still unsettled, still regrouping—yet they didn’t wait for comfort or power to begin building a house for Allah. They chose to make worship the first thing they established in their new life.

Allah honored this mosque in the Quran, saying in Surah At-Tawbah (9:108):

A mosque founded on piety from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in.

Many scholars agree that this verse refers to Masjid Quba. While some structures may impress the eye, this mosque impressed Allah with the sincerity of its foundation.

Masjid Quba differs from the Prophet’s Mosque in function and symbolism. The latter became a hub for Islamic governance, law, and community. But Quba was the beginning. It was the seed planted before the system grew. And that beginning was rooted in purity, humility, and trust in Allah.

Today, Masjid Quba still stands in southern Madinah. It has been renovated and expanded, but remains a destination for Muslims seeking to follow the Prophet’s footsteps. As recorded in authentic Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever performs wudu at home and goes to Masjid Quba to pray will receive the reward of an Umrah.” (Bukhari)

This story also speaks to our daily spiritual priorities. Do we delay prayer or Quran study, waiting for the “right moment”? The builders of Masjid Quba didn’t wait. They made faith the foundation, even on the move.

The first mosque in Islam was not built after triumph, but during the journey. It teaches us that worship doesn’t require perfect conditions—it requires sincere intention.