Masjid al-Khayf

This is a historic mosque south of Mount Mina, immediately next to the first Jamrah (the small devil). During the Farewell Pilgrimage the Prophet (s.a.w.) pitched his tent here and led the prayer in congregation. The spot where he prayed was later enclosed with walls and turned into a mosque.

History and Construction

Built in the year 842 (227 AH) by the Abbasid Caliph al-Wathiq Billah, the mosque was repaired at various times by Islamic states and by the Ottomans. Most recently, the Saudi government, in the course of renovations in 1987, had the Masjid al-Khayf completely demolished and rebuilt, together with its annexes, on a site of 25 dunams.

The Naming

The name Masjid al-Khayf comes from the fact that in Arabic the term "khayf" is used for places lying a little above the bed of a valley. For this reason the mosque built at the foot of Mount Sa'ih was also given this name.

Spiritual Significance

The Masjid al-Khayf holds great spiritual significance as the place where the Prophet (s.a.w.) pitched his tent and prayed. Seventy prophets, among them Moses (a.s.), have prayed in this mosque. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Seventy prophets performed Hajj, and all of them prayed in Masjid al-Khayf after circling the Kaaba. If you are able, do not neglect to pray there." (Mir'at al-Haramayn, vol. 1, p. 1130).

It is written in Bahjat al-Taqwa that 400 prophets lie buried beneath this dome, for which reason the dome is called "Qubbat al-Anbiya" (the Dome of the Prophets). According to Mir'at al-Haramayn, Adam (a.s.) lies buried at the entrance of the mosque, beneath the minaret on the left. The funeral prayer for Adam (a.s.) was led by his son Seth (a.s.), who first buried him on Mount Abu Qubays. After the Flood, Noah (a.s.) took Adam's (a.s.) grave with him on the Ark and reburied him beneath this minaret in Masjid al-Khayf.

Since Masjid al-Khayf is an exceedingly blessed and sacred place, it is important to worship abundantly here. From the earliest times Muslims have held Masjid al-Khayf in great esteem. Zayd ibn al-Aswad (r.a.) said: "I was with the Messenger of Allah during the Farewell Pilgrimage. I prayed the dawn prayer together with him in Masjid al-Khayf." Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) said: "Were I one of the people of Mecca, I would go to Mina every Saturday to pray in Masjid al-Khayf." Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said that he would prefer to pray two rak'ahs here rather than visit Bayt al-Maqdis twice and pray there.