Al-Nabawi Mosque Library Welcomes Pilgrims with Ancient Islamic Treasures

The Al-Nabawi Mosque Library has opened its doors to Hajj pilgrims arriving in Medina after completing their pilgrimage. The library provides international guests with access to a wide range of scientific resources and extensive educational services within a calm and peaceful environment.

As one of the oldest libraries in the Islamic world, this facility serves as a repository of centuries-century-old knowledge for researchers, students, and intellectuals. The main library is located on the western side of the mosque near Staircase 10, while specialised facilities for female researchers are situated on the northern side near Gate 24 and the north-western side near Gate 12.

The library houses an extraordinary scientific collection, including approximately 4,000 original manuscripts, nearly 60,000 digitised and photographed manuscripts, 4,600 multimedia items, and more than 250 rare handwritten copies of the Quran. This diverse collection establishes the library as a primary destination for Islamic manuscript heritage, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

To assist visitors, the library features specialised rooms, including a manuscript room, a rare books section, and an audio library. Modern digital catalogue services also enable researchers to find accurate materials easily, supporting the institution’s historical mission to preserve global Islamic heritage.

Other sources indicate that the Al-Nabawi Mosque Library is one of the oldest libraries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The library’s components were formed throughout various historical eras, particularly prior to the fire at the Al-Nabawi Mosque on 14 November 1481. That fire destroyed cabinets containing the Quran and holy books; however, the library continues to preserve precious copies of the Quran and other sacred texts.