Saving Makkah Library: the Birthplace of the Prophet PBUH

Makkah library, in Sheeb Banu Hashim in Makkah is located in the very place where the Prophet Mohammad Peace be upon Him (PBUH) was born on the 12 of Rabi al-Awwal (April 22, 571 CE), in the Year of the Elephant. The people of Banu Hashem of Quraysh were of noble descent in pre-Islamic Makkah, based upon their hereditary duty to act as caretakers of the pilgrims coming to Makkah to worship at the Kaabah. And it was into the House of 'Abd al-Muttalib of Banu Hashim that Mohammad (PBUH) came into the world. Nowadays, this blessed place of the prophet (PBUH)of whom Allah said: and we have not sent you save as a mercy for all the worlds is a library sitting on the east side of Al -Masjid al-arm, "The Sacred Mosque" which surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba. Throughout the passage of time, the birthplace of Mohammad witnessed several important events, from His blessed birth (PBUH) to Him being given the revelation and the mission of Islam to being and His people boycotted and held captive by Qureish. This location of the birthplace of Mohammad (PBUH) has historical, educational and civilizational importance and has been the centre of attention for the whole Islamic nation over 1400 years. Many of the historic sites dating back to the time of prophet in Makkah have been demolished for fear of the rise of idolatry. Subsequently, the Makkah library remains as one of the last relics from the prophets life treasured by past, present and future generations. And so this sacred area, revered as the birthplace of Mohammad (PBUH) has become one the favourite and constantly sought places to stay for locals and visitors in Makkah. The birth place of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was given a vast amount of attention and care from all the caliphs and Muslim governors throughout the history of Islam and has been renovated and rebuilt to become a site of utter devotion, faith and scholarship where scholars and students of science and religion meet. In fact, the prophets birthplace has attracted interest in and outside of Makkah and has been visited by several scholars and historians who kept detailed records and accurate descriptions of life in that sacred area. Muslim caliphs, thinkers and rich men kept original manuscripts, rare books and genuine documents in the library as well as copies of the Holy Qur'an that they had donated as wakf (endowment). 1

It was in the 12th century AH that the birthplace of prophet Mohammad PBUH began to attract interest when Khayzourane the mother of Haroon al Rasheed bought the place from Mohammad Bin Youssef the brother of Al Hajjaj Bin Youssef and turned it into a mosque. Then, it was Fatima bint Youssef Qattan, sister of Sheikh Abbas Qattan who spent a great amount of her own money on restoring the birthplace of the prophet and rebuilt it into a library used by scholars, students and researchers. Fatima also had DAR al-Arqam Bin Abi Al-Arqam rebuilt into a school of Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet and description of his way of life) and turned Khadijas house into a school of Tahfiz ( Koran reciting and memorizing). Fatimas undertakings had been long held wishes by herself and her brother as well all Muslims and were to be finally granted and supported by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. And so the birthplace of the prophet became known as The Makkah Library in 1370 AH, a beacon for knowledge and enlightenment in the Saudi era under the guidance of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud whose legacy, insight and dedicated efforts to turn the library into a venue for Muslims from around the world therefore giving it a special place in the heart of all Muslims are closely recorded in history. Today the Makkah library has become a site for piety and inspiration for generations of Saudis and Muslims alike. The birthplace of the prophet in Sheen Banu Hashim is visited on the 12th of Rabie Alawal every year by scholars and dignitaries who meet with the judge of Makkah after Maghrib prayer. All Sufi sheikhs walk in a procession carrying flags and the judge of Makkah brings out lit candles from the mosque. Then they all make their way to the Night Market where the judge gives a speech and performs Duaa for the Sulatanate Sharifa, before they all return to the haram where they sit in rows.

The library of Makkah boasts a wide variety of literary, scientific and intellectual works by a selection of prominent intellectuals, writers and scientists. It also possesses a collection of printed works and manuscripts handwritten by the owner of the library himself and others such as Sheikh Abdul Hamid Quds, and sheikh Muhammad ibn Hussein Al Maliki, Faqih judge Jafar bin Abi Bakr Lubna..

The library also owns several works engraved in stone such as the rare (Nur Albasar Sharh AlMukhtasar) known as (Ithaf Almuqnie bil qalil fi sharh mukhtasar khalil) by Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Hilali. In addition to the rarity of its contents, Makkah library is, by its location, an important cultural and historical monument which witnessed the occurring of the most important event in the history of mankind and should therefore be cared for with a great deal of faith, responsibility and humility. The Makkah Library holds a key position in the heart of all Muslims because it symbolises the very beginning of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). For all Muslims, the Makkah library holds a position of prominence in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on many levels be they spiritual, historic or educational. For a place as holy as the Makkah library to run properly while preserving its sanctity and prevent the rise of the wrong kind of Islamic worshipping, following improvements are necessary: 1- To Restore the library in accordance with the legitimate and scientific requirements without affecting the historical value of the place. 2- To fit the building with upright pillars like the ones in the Al- Masjid Al-Haram and give the area a larger capacity and avoid crowdedness during the times of Salah (prayer) by removing all kinds of obstructions. 3- To incorporate amphitheatres and seminar rooms for lectures to be held during Haj and Ramadan seasons. 4- To hold regular classes around the year on the Sira nabawiya (Life and instructions of the prophet Mohammad pbuh). 5- To set up centres for Islamic and the Sira Nabawiya studies to cater for the historical and spiritual value that the place has in the heart of all Muslims. 6- To expand the area of the library onto the unused land nearby that is owned by the government. 7- To run the library by staff specialized in library management. 8- To provide women researchers with more space for easier access and use of the library facilities, a demand on which the library has long been insisting.

What is more, The library has to be architecturally, aesthetically and administratively developed to cater for its yearly growing collections. Currently, the library owns the most 3

important works of Makkahs scholars and is expected to recover a great number of works from private owners. The building has never been equipped with any bathroom facilities inside the library out of respect for the sanctity of the place in which the pure prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was born. Instead, bathroom facilities have been built in a separate building situated on a side street north of the library. Modernising the Makkah library would reflect positively on the Saudi kingdom and play out the existing proactive and enlightened thinking in Saudi Arabia. This project would be a continuity to the work previously performed by the late King Abdul Aziz the founder of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The birthplace of the prophet should be redone in a way worthy of its sanctity and the esteemed position that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds in the Muslim world. In addition to its religious value, the Makkah library would be an example of the way Saudi Arabia puts to use its Islamic monuments in order to reinforce an enlightened modern Islamic thinking in the country If this cultural project is achieved in this prosperous era, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia would put an end to all the hostile propaganda regarding the countrys negligence of historic Islamic monuments and lack of interest in the sacred sites related to the prophet. The historical value of the place would be preserved and this holy place would be put into effective and fruitful use in order to become the national library in Makkah.