The Window of Masjid an-Nababi****

On the southern side of Masjid An-Nabawi, near the blessed Rawdah, stands a small yet unforgettable window. Over centuries, the mosque has expanded, renovated, rebuilt—yet this window remains untouched, as if time itself never dared to alter it.

This is the window of Hazrat Hafsa (ra), the noble daughter of Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra) — and remarkably, the window has never been closed.

Every era brings battles, journeys, construction, and change—yet some structures carry the silence of deep human promises. The window of Hafsa (ra) is one such silent promise, floating in the gentle winds of history. This window belonged to her home—right beside the Prophet ﷺ and his blessed Rawdah—where she lived in closeness, devotion, and profound memories.

The Expansion & the Unshaken Decision In 17 AH, during the caliphate of Umar (ra), when the first major expansion plan for Masjid An-Nabawi was introduced, Hafsa's room needed to be relocated. Umar (ra) gently tried to convince his daughter — but Hafsa (ra) firmly refused. To her, every corner of that room held the touch, the presence, and the memories of the Messenger ﷺ.

Even when Aisha (ra) and other noble companions tried to persuade her—and despite being offered one of the largest houses in Madinah as compensation—Hafsa (ra) still remained unwavering.

Days later, Umar (ra) returned with his son Abdullah (ra). This time, Hafsa (ra) softened to her brother's plea — but she placed one heartfelt condition. A condition so simple in words, yet so deep with love, memory, and faith:

"My room may be removed, but my window must never be closed. Let it remain open — so that I may always gaze toward the Rawdah of the Prophet ﷺ."

Umar (ra) accepted this condition immediately. And since that day — across centuries and countless expansions — the window has remained open.

A Living Piece of History If you walk through the Salam Gate of Masjid An-Nabawi today, look to your right — you will see this very window. It is more than architecture; it is a doorway to reflection, love, and remembrance.

Standing beneath it, many pilgrims feel time slow down — as if history begins to whisper, as if the Seerah opens a new page, as if the Quran reveals another layer of meaning.

A forgotten movement, a paused moment in Islamic history — this window preserves them all.

So when you visit Madinah, or even hear stories of those who do— remember the window that never closed. A window of devotion. A window of love. A window of history that continues to breathe.