Masjid al-Nabawi Library: A Beacon of Knowledge in the Prophet's Mosque
The library of Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina is one of the most significant Islamic libraries in the world. Located within the Prophet's Mosque complex, it houses tens of thousands of volumes spanning Quranic sciences, hadith, fiqh, Islamic history and Arabic literature. For pilgrims visiting Medina during Umrah or Hajj, the library offers a unique opportunity to combine worship with the pursuit of knowledge, fulfilling the Prophet's encouragement to seek learning.
History and establishment
The tradition of learning at Masjid al-Nabawi dates back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) himself, who established the mosque as both a place of worship and education. The formal library was established under the direction of the Saudi government as part of the expansions of the 20th century. It has grown significantly with each expansion of the mosque complex, most recently under the modernization projects of King Salman.
Today the library operates under the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, with professional librarians and specialized departments for manuscripts, digital resources and reader services. It serves not only pilgrims but also scholars and researchers from around the world.
Collections and manuscripts
The library's collection includes over 100,000 printed volumes in Arabic and other languages, covering the full spectrum of Islamic sciences. Its manuscript department is particularly valuable, holding rare copies of Quranic texts, hadith compilations and works of classical Islamic scholarship. Some manuscripts date back several centuries and represent irreplaceable contributions to Islamic intellectual heritage.
The Quran collection is exceptional, featuring copies in various calligraphic styles from different periods and regions of the Muslim world. The hadith section includes printed and manuscript editions of the six canonical collections (Kutub al-Sittah) as well as lesser-known compilations. The fiqh section covers all four Sunni schools of jurisprudence with classical and contemporary works.
Digital resources
In keeping with the vision of making knowledge accessible to all, the library has undertaken ambitious digitization projects. Many of its rare manuscripts have been scanned and are available through digital platforms. Audio recordings of Quran recitation by renowned qaris, lectures by scholars who taught at the mosque and a searchable database of Islamic texts complement the physical collection.
Visiting pilgrims can access digital terminals within the library to search the catalogue, read e-books and listen to audio content. These resources are available in multiple languages, including English, French, Urdu and Indonesian, making them accessible to the diverse global Muslim community.
Visiting the library
The library is open to all visitors during mosque hours. Entry is free. The main reading rooms are located on the upper levels of the mosque complex, accessible by elevator. Separate sections are available for men and women. Visitors should maintain the decorum appropriate to the mosque environment: silence, modest dress and respect for other readers.
At Noussouki Travel, our guides in Medina include a visit to the library in our city tours. We recommend spending at least an hour exploring the collection, especially the manuscript displays. For scholars wishing extended access, our team can assist with the administrative requirements. Browse the recommended supplications in the Hisn al-Muslim for your visit to the Prophet's Mosque.