The first minaret in Islam
Fatwa No: 44381

Question

Where was the first minaret in Islam erected?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Historians have had different views regarding the first minaret erected in Islam.

In Futooh Al-Buldan by Al-Balathuri, it is said that the first minaret in Islam was built by Ziyad ibn Abeeh, whom Mu‘awiyah appointed over Al-Basrah in the year 45 AH.

However, Al-Maqreezi mentioned that the first minarets in Islam were the four sawami‘ [minaret-like towers] of the Masjid of ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘As, which was built in 53 AH by Maslamah ibn Makhlad, the governor of Egypt during the Umayyad era.

Allah knows best.

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