IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATH~R 207Others say that there is simply no contradiction between the revelation of this
verse being applied to the mosque at Quba' and these traditions. This is so, they
say, because this mosque (i.e. the Medina mosque) is simply more worthy of
such than is the other since it is one of the three mosques referred to as those
worth striving to attend. This is established in both ~ahih collections from a
hadith of Aha Hurayra, who said, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) stated, 'Only
three mosques should be the object of navel: this mosque of mine, the harZm
mosque (in Mecca) and the Bayt al-Maqdrs mosque (in Jerusalem).'"
In the sahib collection of Muslim there is a tradition from Abii Sa'id, from the
Prophet (SAAS), who said, "Only three mosques should be the object of travel"
and he named these. It is established in both ~ahih collections that the Messenger
of God (SAAS) said, "A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand
prayers in any other, with the exception of the haram mosque."
In the hadith collection of Ahad, with a good cham of authorities, there is
mention of an additional, bounty namely the words, L'And that one is better."
In both collections, there is a hadirh of Y&y% al-Qattm, from Habib, from
Haf~ b. 'him, from Abii Hurayra, who said, "The Messenger of God (SAAS)
stated, LBetween my house and my pulpit there is one of the gardens of paradise,
and my pulpit stands by my pool."'
There are numerous traditions referring to the virtues of this holy mosque.
We will report these in the large work al-Man~stk mm Kzt~b al-Ahk~m, if God
wills it. And in Him is all trust and reliance, and there is no power or strength
except in God, the Powerful and Wise.
Imam Malik and his associates support the view that the Medina mosque is
superior to the haram mosque because the latter was built by Abraham, and the
former by Muhammad (SAAS); it being obvious that Muhammad (SAAS) was
superior to Abraham, God bless him.
However, the majority opinion opposes this view and maintains that the haram
mosque is superior. This is because it is in a land made sacred by God at the time
when He created the heavens and the earth. And it was made sacred by Abraham
al-Khalil, True Friend", peace be upon him, and Mulpmmad, "the Seal of
the Prophets". The (mosque in Mecca) is thus endowed with qualitiff not present
in any other. Discussion of this issue however, belongs elsewhere; and one NrnS to
God for help.
The Messenger of God (SAAS) built apartments around his mosque which
would be dwellings for himself and his family. These were small dwellings with
narrow courtyards.
Al-Hasan b. Abii al-Hasan al-Basri stated, he having been a youth in the com-
pany of his mother Khayra, the freed-woman of Umm Salama, "I used to be able
to reach up with my hand to the highest ceiling in the apartment of the
Messenger of God (SAAS)."