See the Prophet’s Mehrab, meaning Praying Niche, in front of you across the Garden of Paradise. See the picture on your screen. The Mehrab has the typical Ottoman cupola above it added during the renovation by Suleiman, the magnificent, a Turkish ruler about 500 years ago.
A small red coloured inscription directly above the Mehrab's main arch reads, "This is the Mussalla of the Prophet". The golden capital to the upper right corner behind the cupola belongs to the Weeping Pillar, you had seen earlier while walking through the corridor. The lower part of the Mehrab covers the spot where prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) head used to touch when he prostrated during the prayer. The open space inside the Mehrab is where the prophet stood for prayers. The calligraphy surrounding the main arch of the Mehrab bears verses from Quran. The mosque did not have a curved Mehrab during the Prophet’s time or during the time of the four Khalifs. The curved niche was added during the Umayyad period.
