ALMISKEENAH

 

Dome of Felicity

"….with silent gratitude and flowing tears we gazed at the Dome of Felicity, a round shining green gem in a sea of white pearls from under which beckoned my liege-lord and Prophet, the dearest Beloved of the Merciful, upon him and his Family and Companions, and upon all Prophets Allah’s blessings and peace." From the Two Holy Sanctuaries by Gibril Fouad Haddad.

The Sacred Chamber had no dome until the year 678 A.H. (1282 A.D.) to distinguish the Chamber from the rest of the roof covering the Masjid building, there was a barrier of bricks running parallel to the room. Its height was about one metre. The Sultan Qalaawoon Al-Salihi became the first person to build a dome on the Sacred Chamber. It had a rectangular base supporting the octagonal structure for the dome. This foundation was made of timber and the dome of lead. According to Samhoudi in his Wafa’ al Wafaa there was an opening from the top from which one could see the lower ceiling. The dome was then called Al-Zarqa, as it was bluish in colour due to the nature of the lead.

The dome was renovated during the reign of Sultan of Al-Nassir Hassan ibn Muhammad Qalaawoon, and the repaired during the reign of Al-Ashraf Shaban ibn Hussein in the year 765 A.H. (1366 A.D.) and again during the reign of Sultan Qaitabai in the year 881 A.H. Rain would seep in damaging the timber, thus requiring these regular renovations.

The Sacred Chamber and the dome were burnt and damaged in a fire that swept through Masjid Nabawi in the year 886 A.D. (This was the second fire to damage the building, the first being earlier in the year 654 A.D.) After this fire the citizens of Madinah wrote to the ruler of Egypt Al-Ashraf Qaitabai who subsequently sent all the necessary materials and supplies, along with masons and money for the renovation of the Masjid. The building of the roof was completed in 888 A.H. while the entire reconstruction work was completed around 890 A.H. The new dome was white, known as Al-Baida, the White, while the columns supporting the dome were now made of sturdy bricks compared to the previous wood, and they extended to the ground, and parallel to the Masjid pillars. Windows of copper were opened in the compartment in the southern side facing Qiblah and windows of steel were built on the north-east and western sides. The upper side had layers of copper to prevent pigeons from getting inside.

Due to extreme weather conditions, and maybe the materials used the dome was constantly crumbling and cracking with repairs not lasting long at all. Sultan Qaitabai instructed the demolition of the upper part in the year 892 A.H., attempting to guard it against future fissures and cracks.

It seems that the next stage of major renovation was not until the Ottoman Sultan Mahmoud ibn Abdul Hameed’s time when he gave instructions for renovations in 1233 A.H. And this is how the edifice stands today. This is when the instructions for painting the dome green were executed, which has largely been adhered to till now, Alhumdulillah. From this time it is affectionately known as the Green Dome. Another name it has previously been called is Al-Faiha, the Fragrant.

Jazakallahu khairan katheeran abada to Yusuf for his delicate depiction of the Dome of Felicity. His attractive addition of rainbow birds soaring above this sanctified Abode of the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, seem to symbolize the fervency the heart feels when contemplating our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam resting below. May Yusuf, along with all desirous of treading the perfumed dust and inhaling the Mubarak air surrounding our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam soon be one of the ones beckoned to this Noble Sanctuary. Ameen.

From the Mathnawi of Maulana Jaami R.A. in Virtues of Salaat Alan Nabi.
14. How wonderful would be that day when to your abode I shall come and blacken my eyes with the dust of Madinah. (May the Lord hasten that day of my arrival in Madinah, to refresh my eyes with the dust of Madinah.)

15. How wonderful would be that day, when after prayers of thanks, prostration of thanks, my soul shall fly midst the Holy Sepulchre?

16. When in loving madness, cheering heart and over flowing yearning, I shall walk around your grave and the Green Dome.

17. How glorious that day when from the clouds of my eyes, raindrops of tears shall sprinkle upon the threshold of your Haram and your grave.

18. When in joyful bliss I shall feel blessed to sweep away the dust of your Haram. And in ecstasy to remove all the dust from around you.

19. Though dust be hurtful to the eyes, yet will your dust be a light and cure for me, and though litter be of no benefit to wounds, to me the litter of Madinah shall be a perfect cure for the ills of my heart.

And from Qasidah Burda:
No perfume equals the earth, which is touching his (noble) body
Glad tidings to the person who smells and kisses it.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.