Masjid al-Ghamama
Madina Munawwara, The Arabian Peninsula
Masjid al-Ghamama lies just beyond the southwestern perimeter of Masjid al-Nabawi and is clearly visible
from the south side of the marbled courtyard. Below are some historical points about Masjid al-Ghamama:
• It is also called Masjid al-Eid since the blessed Prophet s prayed eid salat at this location.
• After he led salat al-Istisqa (invoking Allah for rain) here, clouds appeared in the sky and it began to
rain. Thus the name Ghamama which means clouds.
• When the Prophet s was informed of the death of Negus in Abyssinia, he led his salat al-janaza
(funeral prayer) here. This is the only time the Prophet s led the janaza of anyone in absentia. The
hadith state that the Prophet s formed two rows and said, “Your brother Najashi (his name was
As-hama Ibn Abi Shayba, ma qalu fi al-takbir ‘ala al-janaza) has passed away so stand up and pray
upon him (Musnad Ibn Abi Shayba, 2/393). According to some reports, the janaza appeared miraculously
and was witnessed by the Sahaba l.
Since the masjid is close to Masjid al-Nabawi, the five times salat does not take place in Masjid al-Ghamama.
22 January – February 2021 | AL-MADINAH