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| The Distance Of Places from Jerusalem to Jericho is 27 km. |
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| Aerial view of the Nabi Musa complex |
The exact place where Musa (عليه السلام) is buried is unknown, but tradition holds that Salahuddin Ayyubi once had a dream where he was shown this spot. He had a mosque built on the site, which was further expanded by Sultan Baybars in 1269 CE. The Maqam is located 11km south of Jericho and 20km east of Jerusalem.
Musa (عليه السلام) is mentioned by name 136 times in the Quran, more than any other prophet.
A Mamluk inscription at the site reads that ‘The construction of this Maqam over the grave of the prophet who spoke with God, Moses, is ordered by his majesty Sultan Dhaher Abu al-Fatah Baybars, in the year 668 Hijri.’
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| Front View and Main Entrance to Nabi Musa complex |
The building consists of a large central courtyard surrounded by over 120 rooms with the ‘burial chamber’ of Prophet Musa on the right of the mosque which is built against the western wall of the courtyard.
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| One side of the Courtyard and Doorway to enter the mosque and Moseleum. |
- The building consists of a large central courtyard surrounded by over 120 rooms with the ‘burial chamber’ of Prophet Musa on the right of the mosque which is built against the western wall of the courtyard.
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| A Kufi Khat , above the Main Doorway/Entrance to The Moseleum. |
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| The Moseleum Of Prophet Musa AS. |
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| The Plaque - The Moseleum Of Prophet Musa AS. |
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| Top Aerial View of The Mosque and The Moseleum |
Tradition attributes the founding of the shrine of Prophet Musa (Nabi Musa) to a dream of Saladin, but the main construction was later ordered by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars.
Here's a breakdown of the shrine's history:
Ayyubid era (late 12th century): After recapturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, Saladin is said to have had a dream revealing the burial site of Prophet Musa. According to tradition, he had a mosque built there.
Mamluk era (1269 CE): The main structure of the Maqam was built by Sultan Baybars. An inscription at the site confirms that he "ordered the building of this noble sacred place over the tomb of Moses" during his return from a pilgrimage to Mecca. Baybar's expansion cemented the site's importance and established an extensive shrine complex.
The festival: The annual festival, or mawsim, of Nabi Musa is also popularly associated with Saladin's time, although this tradition is likely a later development. The festival was strategically timed during the Christian Easter pilgrimage to Jerusalem to affirm a strong Muslim presence in the region.
Therefore, while the tradition links Saladin to the initial discovery around 1187, the landmark shrine complex seen today was primarily established by Sultan Baybars in 1269.
| The Graveyards / Cemetery rear -side of Prophet Musa AS Moseleum. |
The massive number of graves beside the Maqam of Prophet Musa in Jericho belong to Muslims who wished to be buried near the holy site. For centuries, being buried close to a saint or prophet has been considered a special blessing in Islamic tradition.
The cemetery was populated through two primary practices:
Burials during festivals: During the annual Nabi Musa festival, which historically drew thousands of pilgrims, some who died during the week-long event were buried on-site.
Requested burials: Other Muslims asked to be buried at the shrine because of its sanctity and prestige. For instance, certain notables from Jericho and members of the Idwan tribe from Jordan were interred there.
Beyond the main burial areas, the larger complex also includes other significant, traditional burial sites:
Tomb of Hassan al-Ra'i: A double-domed structure located about two kilometers south of the maqam is traditionally identified as the tomb of Moses' shepherd.
Tomb of Sitna 'Aishah: This tomb is another traditional burial site within the complex.
Hadiths Narrated By Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
[Regarding Circumstances The Demise of Prophet Musa AS.
- Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The angel of death was sent to Musa (عليه السلام). When he came to Musa (عليه السلام), Musa (عليه السلام) slapped him on the eye. The angel returned to Allah (ﷻ) and said, ‘You have sent me to a servant who does not want to die’. Allah (ﷻ) ordered the angel, ‘Return to him and tell him to put his hand on the back of an Ox and for every hair that will come under it, he will be granted one year of life’. Musa (عليه السلام) asked, ‘O Lord! What will happen after that’? Allah (ﷻ) replied, ‘Then death’. Musa (عليه السلام) decided, ‘Let it be now’. Musa (عليه السلام) then requested Allah (ﷻ) to let him die close to the Sacred Land (near Masjid al-Aqsa) so much so that he would be at a distance of a stone’s throw from it”. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) added, the Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “If I were there, I would show you his grave below the red sand hill on the side of the road.”
JERICHO THE FIRST CITY ON EARTH
