No Islamic architectural monument has received such attention and care as that of the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout time and ages.
The annexation of Makkah came under the rule of King Abdulaziz in the year 1343 AH - 1924 AD. Since then, it has witnessed unprecedented efforts by the Kingdom’s leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques and harnessing all energies and capabilities for the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
The Two Holy Sanctuaries topped King Abdulaziz’s interests and priorities, and one of the most important responsibilities that his sons, kings after him, were honored with.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman built on these achievements to serve the guests at the two holy mosques and ensure their utmost security and safety.
As around two million pilgrims are currently performing the Hajj rituals, the fifth pillar of Islam, Asharq Al-Awsat presents an overview of the series of construction and expansion operations that the Grand Mosque witnessed before the Saudi era.
After Prophet Mohammed conquered Makkah in the year 8 AH - 629 AD, he ordered the removal of the pagan statues. He also covered and perfumed the Kaaba, but did not make any modifications to its architecture and surroundings.
The first expansions of the Grand Mosque began during the reign of Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab in the year 17 AH - 638 AD, when he came to Makkah and purchased the surrounding area, which added about 1,400 square meters to the area of the mosque.
In the year 26 AH - 646 AD, Caliph Othman bin Affan ordered the expansion of the mosque, and the site was surrounded on all sides by areas shielded from the heat of the sun.
Then came other expansions during the era of Abdullah bin Al-Zubayr in the year 65 AH - 684 AD, Al-Walid bin Abdul-Malik in the year 91 AH - 709 AD, and the Abbasid caliph Abu Jaafar Al-Mansur in the year 137 AH - 754 AD.
However, the largest expansions took place during the Abbasid state, under the rule of Caliph al-Mahdi. The Grand Mosque witnessed two expansions: the first, in the eastern, western and northern sides of the mosque, where the caliph brought marble from Egypt and the Levant. Some of the columns dated back to ancient civilizations, including the Roman and Greek empires.
Then came two limited expansions or additions, the first during the time of the Abbasid caliph al-Mu’tadid in 281 AH - 894 CE, and the second during the time of Caliph al-Muqtadir in 306 AH - 918 CE. Since that date and for more than a thousand years, the area of the Grand Mosque was not increased until the Saudi era.
Following the seventh expansion, the shape of the Grand Mosque was semi-rectangular with the Kaaba in the center. Its total area was about 30,112 square meters. The expansion under al-Mahdi was the largest until that date.
Since then, and for more than a thousand years, the area of the Sacred Mosque did not change, but only saw restoration and repair works.
Most important repairs and restorations
In addition to the nine expansions that the Grand Mosque witnessed from the era of Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab to the era of the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir, there were buildings and repairs, renovations and restorations, and multiple internal additions due to floods, fires and cracks. These works included walls, ceilings and columns, porches, doors, floors, stairs, balconies, minarets, domes, and others.
The first of these restorations came during the rule of Caliph Abdel-Malik bin Marwan in the year 75 AH - 694 AD, and the last during the time of Sharif al-Hussein bin Ali in the year 1338 AH - 1920 AD. That was a few years before the accession of the Hijaz under Saudi rule.
Some of these repairs and restorations at the Grand Mosque occurred in the year 727 AH - 1326 AD. Mamluk Sultan Muhammad bin Qalawun sent Alaeddin bin Hilal al-Dawla to rebuild the Grand Mosque, repairing cracked ceilings and demolished walls.
In the year 747 AH - 1346 AD, the roof of the mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Al-Saleh Ismail bin Muhammad bin Qalawun.
In the year 772 AH - 1370 AD, the minaret of Bab Al-Hazura was built after its fall, during the reign of Sultan Al-Ashraf Shaaban bin Hussein.
During the rule of Mamluk Sultan Al-Nasir Faraj bin Barquq, a fire broke out in parts of the Grand Mosque. Renovation and restoration works were completed in 803 AH - 1400 AD.
In the year 825 AH - 1422 AD, during the reign of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, many places were rebuilt after their destruction, and the roof was renovated.
In the year 1040 AH - 1630 AD, heavy rains fell on Makkah, and the torrents filled the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, leading to the destruction of some of its walls. Reparations took place during the rule of Sultan Murad IV.
Historians have monitored many aspects and details related to restoration works, the materials used, the means, and the methods of execution. Torrential rains and fires were among the main reasons that called for the reconstruction of the Grand Mosque or parts of it.
Why did the expansion of the Grand Mosque stop 1,000 years ago?
Since the year 306 AH, and for more than a thousand years, the area of the Grand Mosque did not witness any expansion, until the Saudi era.
Despite all the works documented by historians and the sums they said were spent by the rulers and sultans, the Grand Mosque did not receive the care and attention that it deserved during this period. It is sufficient to look at the condition of the mosques in the Islamic cities at that time and compare them with the condition of the Grand Mosque to realize the difference!
Some people believe that there was no need for expansion following the works by Caliph al-Mahdi. There are many reasons and justifications that can be cited for that. But in my opinion, most of the caliphs, who ordered the expansion of the Grand Mosque, realized the need for such works while performing the rituals of Hajj or Umrah.
On the other hand, most of the rulers and sultans in the successive states did not make the pilgrimage or visit Makkah to examine the conditions of the Grand Mosque, but only relied on reports and requests submitted to them, regardless of the actual needs.
