The name 'Al-Qiblatayn' literally translates to 'The Mosque of the Two Qiblas'.
During the revelation, the Prophet Muhammad was leading a congregational prayer when he shifted his orientation mid-prayer towards Mecca.
The mosque was originally built by Sawad ibn Ghanam ibn Ka'ab during the second year of the Hijra.
The modern expansion features two central domes to highlight the two distinct directions of prayer.
The mosque's structural layout is symmetrical, designed to maintain aesthetic balance despite the challenging orientation of the two prayer directions.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn is historically significant as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the divine revelation to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Mecca. The current architecture features a unique dual-mihrab layout, reflecting the historical transition of the qibla. It is one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history, originally known as Banu Salama Mosque. The site underwent a major reconstruction in the late 1980s that preserved its distinct twin-minaret profile. It is located on a rocky outcrop in the Al Qiblatayn district of Medina. The prayer hall is oriented towards the current Qibla, with an older section still acknowledging the original direction of Jerusalem.
From the exterior courtyard facing the front facade to capture both minarets and the dual-dome architecture.
Arrive early during the day to avoid the peak crowds that arrive by bus tours.
Bring a small bag for your shoes, as you will be required to leave them outside the prayer area.
Attempting to photograph individuals inside the prayer hall, as this is culturally insensitive and against local privacy norms.
Conservative modest dress is required for both men and women; women must cover their hair, and non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the prayer halls.
