Masjid al-Ghamama, Masjid Abu Bakr and Masjid Ali in Madinah

Masjid al-Ghamama

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah calls it the Cloud Mosque. “Ghamama” means cloud. The Ministry says it stands about 500 m south west of the Prophet’s Mosque, on the site where the Prophet, peace be upon him, performed the Eid prayer and the istisqa prayer, the prayer for rain. It was named after the story that when the Prophet prayed for rain here, a cloud brought rain.

The Ministry also says that all prayers are held in the mosque except the Friday prayer. That is useful to know if you plan to pray there.

It is one of the closest historic mosques to the Prophet’s Mosque. Because it is so near, many people walk to it. On the ziyarat the driver takes you there so that you do not have to walk in the heat.

Masjid Abu Bakr as-Siddiq

The Ministry’s guide says this mosque was built where the Prophet prayed one of the Eid prayers, and where Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, led the people of Madinah in prayer during his time as caliph. The guide says the mosque has kept its ancient style, with features that capture the historical atmosphere of the place.

It is close to the other two mosques on this page, so the three are normally visited together on one short stop.

Masjid Ali ibn Abi Talib

The Ministry describes this mosque as standing on the Eid prayer ground from the time of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s caliphate. It is west of the Prophet’s Mosque, about 400 m away.

Do not confuse it with the Ali mosque among the Seven Mosques at the Khandaq site, which is a different place. Saudipedia lists a mosque named after Ali in that group. Your driver will tell you which one you are at.

Where they are

All three mosques are within a few hundred metres of the Prophet’s Mosque, to the south west and west. The Ministry gives about 500 m for al-Ghamama and about 400 m for Ali. Saudipedia and the Ministry give no single number for Abu Bakr, but the Ministry lists it right beside the other two.

Roads close to the Prophet’s Mosque are controlled at prayer times. So the driver may park a short walk away, and you walk the last part. Walking distances are short, usually a few minutes.

What visitors usually do there

Each stop is brief, about 10 to 15 minutes. People look at the building, pray two rakat if the time and the rules allow, and move on. We do not give religious guidance. For questions about what to pray, ask your group leader or a scholar.

A typical order on the two hour ziyarat is Jannat al-Baqi, then the three mosques, then Quba, Qiblatain, Uhud and the Seven Mosques. On the four hour ziyarat the stops here are longer.

Practical notes

• Prayer times. Plan around the prayers. The mosques are busy just before and after them.
• Dress modestly. Take your shoes off at the door and carry them in a bag.
• Heat. There is little shade between the mosques. Go after Fajr or in the late afternoon if you can.
• Wheelchairs. A folding wheelchair travels in the Staria or Hiace boot at no extra charge, and the driver helps the passenger into a seat. Tell us before booking if the passenger cannot leave the wheelchair.

Which of our tours includes these mosques

Both Madinah ziyarat tiers include them, on the page Madinah ziyarat taxi.

• Two hour ziyarat. A short stop at each of the three mosques, then Quba, Qiblatain, Uhud and the Seven Mosques.
• Four hour full ziyarat. Longer stops, and extra places: Masjid al-Jumu’ah, Bir Uthman, time at Masjid al-Fath, a longer stop at Uhud, the date market or a date farm, and the Quran Printing Complex and Dar al-Madinah Museum.

Fares are for the whole vehicle, return included. You pay the driver at the end, with no deposit and no booking fee. Nearby: Masjid Quba and Masjid al-Qiblatain.