Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
Is constructing a mihrab (prayer niche) in the mosque proven from the practices of the Prophet ﷺ? If not, is it considered an innovation (bid‘ah)?
✦ The commonly built mihrab in the qiblah wall of mosques is not mentioned in any verse of the Qur’an nor established through any authentic Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ. During the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime, there was no architectural structure such as a mihrab in the mosque to indicate the direction of the qiblah.
The mihrab as seen in contemporary mosques—an arched recess in the qiblah wall—developed later in Islamic history, primarily for the convenience of identifying the qiblah direction and for aesthetic architectural purposes. It is not part of the essential structure prescribed by the Sunnah.
Although the mihrab itself is not established from the Prophet ﷺ, it does not automatically qualify as a bid‘ah (innovation) in the blameworthy sense as long as it is not associated with any ritualistic or religious attribution beyond being a directional aid.
① Constructing a mihrab in the mosque is not proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
② It does not appear in the Qur’an or authentic Hadiths.
③ However, it is not necessarily a bid‘ah unless it is linked with unfounded religious beliefs or practices.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
Is constructing a mihrab (prayer niche) in the mosque proven from the practices of the Prophet ﷺ? If not, is it considered an innovation (bid‘ah)?
❀ Answer:
✦ The commonly built mihrab in the qiblah wall of mosques is not mentioned in any verse of the Qur’an nor established through any authentic Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ. During the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime, there was no architectural structure such as a mihrab in the mosque to indicate the direction of the qiblah.
✿ On the Use of Mihrab:
The mihrab as seen in contemporary mosques—an arched recess in the qiblah wall—developed later in Islamic history, primarily for the convenience of identifying the qiblah direction and for aesthetic architectural purposes. It is not part of the essential structure prescribed by the Sunnah.
Although the mihrab itself is not established from the Prophet ﷺ, it does not automatically qualify as a bid‘ah (innovation) in the blameworthy sense as long as it is not associated with any ritualistic or religious attribution beyond being a directional aid.
✔ Summary:
① Constructing a mihrab in the mosque is not proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
② It does not appear in the Qur’an or authentic Hadiths.
③ However, it is not necessarily a bid‘ah unless it is linked with unfounded religious beliefs or practices.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
