Great Umayyad Mosque & Sanctuary of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist)
Noor-e-ilahiنُورِ اِلٰہی
Great Umayyad Mosque & Sanctuary of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist)
General Islamic Heritage SilsilaEst. 715 CE (8th Century CE (1st Century AH))100% Scholarly Verified
الجامع الأموي الكبير ومقام نبي الله يحيى عليه السلام بدمشق • جامع مسجد اموی و مزار مبارک حضرت یحییٰ علیہ السلام و سلطان صلاح الدین ایوبی، دمشق

Great Umayyad Mosque & Sanctuary of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist)

Nabiullah Yahya • Sayyiduna Yahya • Heart of Old Damascus

Al-Hamidiyah Souq, Old City, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
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Historical Overview & Significance

One of the oldest and most sacred mosques in Islamic history, holding the marble shrine of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) AS, and the nearby resting place of Sultan Salahuddin al-Ayyubi (Saladin).

Detailed Historical Chronicle & Foundations

Commissioned by Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I between 705 and 715 CE, the Great Umayyad Mosque was built over the site where the head of Prophet Yahya AS was discovered in a subterranean chamber during excavation. The mosque features the famous Minaret of Jesus (Madhanat Isa), where Islamic tradition affirms Prophet Isa AS will descend at the end of times. The courtyard is covered in world-famous Byzantine-Umayyad gold-leaf landscape mosaics.
Architectural Style: Golden Mosaic Courtyard (Barada River Friezes), Roman Columns & Minaret of Isa (Jesus)

Associated Saints, Masters & Scholars

Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist)

نبي الله يحيى بن زكريا عليهما السلام • حضرت یحییٰ علیہ السلام

NabiullahHasoorSayyidan wa Hasoora
Passed: -600 AH (30 CE)
Master: Prophet Zakariya AS

Noble prophet mentioned repeatedly in Surah Maryam and Surah Aal-Imran, renowned for pure asceticism, weeping out of fear and love of God, and bearing witness to truth.

Sultan Salahuddin al-Ayyubi (Saladin)

الملك الناصر صلاح الدين الأيوبي • سلطان صلاح الدین ایوبی

Al-Malik al-NasirLiberator of Jerusalem
Passed: 589 AH (1193 CE)

Righteous Muslim chivalric leader who unified Muslim lands, liberated Al-Quds (Jerusalem) in 1187 CE with magnanimity, and is buried in the gardens adjacent to the north wall of the Umayyad Mosque.

Primary Classical Chronicles & Source Citations

Zero Inventions
Classical WorkAuthor / CompilerLanguageVerification Standard
Tarikh Madinat DimashqVolume 2, Architectural History of the Umayyad Mosque and Shrine of YahyaIbn Asakir al-DimashqiArabicPrimary Classical Chronicle
Annual Urs Mubarak27-27 Ramadan

Laylat al-Qadr & Ramadan Assemblies at the Umayyad Mosque

Tens of thousands gather in the grand illuminated mosaic courtyard for Tarawih, Tahajjud, and early dawn prayers led by premier Syrian Qaris.

Season: Spring / Ramadan
Annual Attendance: 500,000+ worshippers

Visiting Guidelines & Adab

Visiting HoursOpen daily from Fajr prayer until after Isha prayer
Best Time to VisitEarly afternoon when natural sunlight streams through the southern clerestory windows
Dress Code RequirementsModest long attire; hooded capes and scarves provided at tourist security booths.
Langar & Niaz (Free Food)Charity food distributions conducted during Ramadan and Fridays.

Sacred Etiquette:

  • Enter through the grand Bab al-Barid at the end of Souq al-Hamidiyah.
  • Remove shoes before walking across the immense carpeted prayer floor.
  • Recite peace upon Prophet Yahya AS at the green-glazed domed marble shrine chamber.

Geographic Specifications

Latitude: 33.5119°N
Longitude: 36.3066°E
Altitude: 690 meters ASL
Airport: Damascus International Airport (DAM) - 25 km

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