Bulugh al-Maram

644 Benefits and Issues:
In this hadith, the reward for performing prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) and the Sacred House (Baytullah) is mentioned. The indication made by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam towards his mosque with the word «هذا» apparently means that the reward for one prayer in the mosque as it existed during the Prophetic era is superior to a thousand prayers in other mosques. The expansions and additions made in later periods, it would seem, are not included in this. However, the correct view is that since the expanded portions are annexed to the original Prophet’s Mosque, they are also considered as part of Masjid Nabawi, and the same reward mentioned in the hadith will be attained there as well. «والله اعلم»

Narrator of the Hadith:
The narrator is Abdullah ibn Zubair radi Allahu anhuma. His kunyah is Abu Bakr and his name is Abdullah ibn Zubair ibn al-Awwam. He belonged to the Asad clan of the Quraysh, hence he is called Qurashi Asadi. His respected mother was Asma bint Abi Bakr radi Allahu anha, who was pregnant at the time of the migration to Madinah. As soon as they reached Quba, Ibn Zubair was born. He was the first child born to the Muslims after the migration. Abdullah ibn Zubair radi Allahu anhuma used to perform many voluntary (nafl) prayers. He was of large stature and possessed a strong grip. He was eloquent in speech, accepting of truth and honesty, and shared in the sorrows and pains of his relatives. In the year 64 AH, after the death of Yazid ibn Muawiyah, allegiance was given to him. He gained dominance over Hijaz, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, and most of the region of Sham. Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi besieged him in Makkah, and in Jumada al-Thaniyah, 73 AH, he was martyred by being hanged.