Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is a mosque located in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia. It was built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 622 CE and is one of the most sacred sites in Islam. The mosque contains the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad and is considered the second holiest site in Islam, after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
The mosque's original structure was a simple rectangular building with a raised platform for the Prophet to give his sermons. Over the years, the mosque has been expanded and renovated several times, with the most extensive renovation taking place during the reign of Saudi King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in the 1980s.
The current structure can accommodate up to 1.6 million worshippers and covers an area of over 400,000 square meters. The mosque features several iconic elements, including the green dome above the Prophet's tomb, which is a symbol of Medina, and the pulpit from which the Prophet used to deliver his sermons, which is made of teakwood and is adorned with intricate carvings.
The mosque is also home to several important Islamic relics, including the pulpit of the Prophet, his shoes, his cloak, and his sword. These relics are housed in a special chamber known as the Chamber of the Prophet.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is a major pilgrimage site for Muslims from around the world, especially during the Hajj season. The mosque is open to visitors year-round, but access to the inner sanctum is restricted to Muslims only.