What is the Green Dome in Medina?

The Green Dome is a prominent green-coloured structure built above the tombs of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and early Muslim leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. Located in the southeast corner of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, it originates from a wooden cupola built in 1279 CE. Over the centuries it was rebuilt, painted various colours, and finally painted green in 1837.

What we know

• The Green Dome encloses the burial tombs of the prophet Muhammad and the first two Rashidun caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. [1, 2]
• The structure was built above Aisha's house, where Muhammad gave his last breath and was buried. [2, 4]
• The dome's history dates back to 678 AH (1279/1280 CE) when an unpainted wooden cupola was erected over the tomb. [2]
• The structure was painted blue and silver in the late 15th century and 1817 before being painted green for the first time in 1837. [2]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureWhat is the history of the Prophet's Mosque?
• whoWho were the Rashidun caliphs buried under the dome?
• whenHow did the city of Medina evolve through history?
• a case in pointWhat are the other major historical mosques in Medina?
• what followedHow does Ziyarah pilgrimage work in Islam?
• an unexpected connectionHow did the Prophet's Mosque become electrified?The Prophet's Mosque in Medina was notably the first place in the entire Arabian Peninsula to be provided with electrical lights, under Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1909.

Sources

• [1]Green Dome (Wikidata Q727042) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Green Dome · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Medina · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Prophet's Mosque · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Timeline of Medina · CC BY-SA 4.0