Masjid Al-Qiblatayn

Masjid Al-Qiblatayn is a historic mosque in Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It lies on the northwestern side of the city, along Wadi al-Aqiq on a rise of the western harrah.[1][2] It was built by Banu Sawad ibn Ghanm ibn Ka'b in the second year of the Hijri calendar, and it witnessed the change of the qiblah from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Sacred Mosque, an event from which it takes its name.[3]

The mosque lies on the northwestern side of Madinah Region, along Wadi al-Aqiq, on a rise of the western harrah, a short distance from the Prophet's Mosque.[1][2]

The mosque was formerly known as Masjid Banu Salamah, because it stood in the village of Banu Salamah.[4]

It became known as Masjid Al-Qiblatayn because the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed part of a prayer in it facing Al-Aqsa Mosque and the other part facing the Sacred Mosque in Makkah Region.[3]

The mosque witnessed the change of the qiblah from Al-Aqsa Mosque (Bayt al-Maqdis) to the Sacred Mosque (the Kaaba). The revelation came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, to turn toward the Kaaba while he was in the noon prayer, after he had completed two rak'ahs.[3]

This took place in the second year of the Hijri calendar.[3]

It is related that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was visiting Umm Bishr of Banu Salamah to offer condolences; she prepared food for him, and when the time of the noon prayer came he prayed two rak'ahs with his companions, then was commanded and turned toward the Kaaba, facing the water spout.[5]

The mosque was built in the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the second year of the Hijri calendar, and Banu Sawad ibn Ghanm ibn Ka'b built it.[3]

Its first construction was of mud brick, palm fronds, and palm trunks.[3]

The area of the mosque was 3,920 square meters in a 2021 description.[6]

The site is undergoing development work under the name "Al-Qiblatayn Civilizational Center Project", supervised by the Madinah Region Development Authority, aimed at expanding the mosque, improving services, and raising its capacity.[5]

The project is being carried out over an area of 50,200 square meters and aims to raise capacity for more than 13,000 worshippers; its second phase covers the southern part of the mosque over an area of 38,000 square meters.[7]

The completion rate of the second phase reached 90% in May 2024, after standing at 35% in October 2023.[8]

The total area of the site exceeds 265,000 square meters, while the area of the mosque exceeds 3,900 square meters, with a capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers, along with more than 300 bus and car parking spaces and 50 canopies equipped with 100 misting fans.[1]

A directive was issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to open Masjid Al-Qiblatayn to worshippers around the clock.[1]

The Al-Qiblatayn Civilizational Center recorded more than 8 million visitors between February and December 2025.[9]

Q: Where is Masjid Al-Qiblatayn located? A: It lies on the northwestern side of Madinah, along Wadi al-Aqiq, on a rise of the western harrah.[1][2]

Q: Why is Masjid Al-Qiblatayn named so? A: Because the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed part of a prayer in it facing Al-Aqsa Mosque and the other part facing the Sacred Mosque.[3]

Q: When was the mosque built and who built it? A: It was built in the second year of the Hijri calendar by Banu Sawad ibn Ghanm ibn Ka'b, of mud brick, palm fronds, and palm trunks.[3]

Q: What are the mosque's area and capacity? A: The area of the mosque exceeds 3,900 square meters, with a capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.[1]

Q: Is the mosque open around the clock? A: Masjid Al-Qiblatayn was opened to worshippers around the clock by directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.[1]

Masjid Al-Qiblatayn continues its historic and religious role in Madinah, alongside a development project that raises its capacity and improves services for its worshippers and visitors.[1][5] A related topic on the platform is Quba Mosque.