Muwatta Malik (Qasim)

Hadith Authentication (Takhrij al-Hadith): [وأخرجه مسلم 518/1399، من حديث مالك به، ورواه البخاري 7326، من حديث عبدالله بن دينار به]
Jurisprudential Understanding (Tafaqquh):
➊ Going to Masjid Quba on foot or mounted and performing two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer there is a Sunnah.
➋ In one hadith, it is mentioned that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to go to Quba every week, and Ibn ‘Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) used to do the same. [صحيح مسلم : 521/1399، دارالسلام : 3396]
➌ Performing ablution (wudu) at home and then praying in Masjid Quba is equal (in reward) to an ‘umrah. See [سنن الترمذي 324 وسنده حسن وقال الترمذي : حسن غريب، وسنن ابن ماجه 1412]

Hadith Footnote:
Quba is the settlement near Madinah where the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed upon his arrival during the Hijrah. Its mosque is also a historical site, which has been mentioned in the Qur'an.

Hadith Commentary:
Quba is the settlement near Madinah Tayyibah where the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed for a few days at the time of migration (hijrah).
The mosque of this settlement is also a historical site.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself would sometimes go there on foot and sometimes mounted.
This honor and distinction has not been granted to any place other than the sites of Madinah Tayyibah.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood that there is immense reward for the two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer in the Mosque of Quba’. May Allah grant every Muslim this blessing. Ameen.

This is the very historical mosque which is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an in these words:
﴿لَمَسجِد اُسِّسَ عَلَی التَّقوٰی مِن اَوَّلِ یَومٍ اَحَقُّ اَن تَقُومَ فِیہِ فِیہِ رِجَال یُّحِبُّونَ اَن یَّتَطَھَّرُوا وَاللّٰہُ یُحِبُّ المُطَّھَّرِینَ﴾ (, al-Tawbah: 108)

That is, certainly the foundation of this mosque was laid upon piety (taqwa) from the very first day. It is more appropriate for you to stand in it for prayer, because in it are such righteous-hearted people who desire purity. And Allah loves those who seek purity.

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established through this chapter heading and the presented hadith that Masjid Quba is among those mosques towards which there is no harm in traveling, whether on foot or mounted, and doing so does not fall under the prohibition regarding setting out on a journey (rukhsa-e-safar) for a specific mosque.

When the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) was constructed, the people of Quba and the residents of ‘Awali would come to Masjid Nabawi to perform the Friday prayer (Jumu‘ah). On this basis, Masjid Quba would remain empty of worshippers on Fridays.

To compensate for this, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would visit Masjid Quba on Saturdays.

It is also possible that on Fridays there was an abundance of engagements, and upon finding free moments on Saturday, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would turn towards Masjid Quba so that he could look after the people of Quba and inquire about the condition of those who could not go to Madinah Munawwarah for Jumu‘ah.

From this hadith, it is also understood that for the performance of certain righteous deeds, it is permissible to specify a particular day on one’s own accord, and then to maintain regularity upon it is also allowed.

(Fath al-Bari: 3/90)

Hadith Commentary:

Nowadays, there is such an abundance of means of transportation that a ride is available at every moment. That is why the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) demonstrated both actions. Still, going on foot certainly carries greater reward. Attending Masjid Quba should be considered as part of visiting Masjid Nabawi itself. Therefore, it cannot be included under the hadith "Do not undertake a journey except to three mosques" (). And Allah knows best what is correct.

Hadith Commentary:
The virtues of coming to Masjid Quba and performing prayer therein have also been mentioned in the ahadith. Thus, it is narrated from Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaif radi Allahu anhu, he said:
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Whoever leaves his house and goes to Masjid Quba and performs prayer there, he will receive the reward equal to that of performing an ‘umrah.”
(Sunan an-Nasa’i, al-Masajid, Hadith: 700)
In another narration, it is stated that whoever comes to Masjid Quba after performing ablution (wudu) at home and performs prayer therein, he will receive the reward of performing an ‘umrah.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Iqamat as-Salawat, Hadith: 1412)
‘Umar ibn Shabbah has narrated with a sound chain in Tarikh al-Madinah al-Munawwarah that Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas radi Allahu anhu said:
“Performing prayer in Masjid Quba is more beloved to me than going to Bayt al-Maqdis twice.”
If people were to become aware of the virtue of Masjid Quba, they would travel there from distant places.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/90)

Benefits and Issues:
Among the legislated and Sunnah visitations of Madinah Munawwarah, the most important visitation is that of Masjid Quba. In fact, the noble statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is that performing prayer here carries a reward like that of an ‘umrah.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Iqamah al-Salat, Hadith: 1411)

699. Commentary: The purpose of your (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) going there was to honor your first mosque and to meet with the Muslims of that area, because this mosque was very far. It was difficult for those people to come to you; instead of all of them coming, it was easier for you to go there. In this way, meeting with the people of that area would also take place.