Demolition of Masjid al-Dirar
The demolition or burning of Masjid al-Dirar , or the Mosque of Dissent, is mentioned in the Qur'an. The Masjid al-Dirar was a mosque in Medina that was erected close to the Quba Mosque and which Muhammad initially approved of, but subsequently destroyed while returning from the Expedition to Tabuk, which occurred in October 630.)
In the account narrated by the majority of scholars, the mosque was built by twelve "hypocrites" on the commands of Abu ʿAmir al-Fasiq, a hanif who refused Islam and instead fought along with the Quraysh against the early Muslims in the Battle of Uhud on March 23, 625. Abu ʿAmir reportedly urged his men to establish a stronghold and prepare whatever they can of power and weapons as he promised and insinuated to them that he will lead an army, backed by Heraclius, to fight Muhammad and the early Muslims and defeat his message by expelling him from Medina. Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri also relates that the men who built the al-Dirar mosque "for mischief and for infidelity and to disunite the Believers" refused to pray in Quba Mosque, claiming that it was built in a place where a donkey used to be tied up.
According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad was asked to lead prayer there but received a revelation, mentioned in Surah 9:107 and 110.) In consequence of this, the mosque was destroyed by fire. Henceforth, it was known as the Mosque of Opposition.
Accounts
Abu Amir al-Rahib was a hanif who disliked Muhammad, and reportedly fought in the Battle of Badr. He wanted him expelled from Medina and Islam eradicated. He also joined the Quraysh against the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. The majority have stated that Abu Amir requested assistance from the Byzantines against Muhammad. Abd Allah ibn Ubayy, an enemy of Islam, was his nephew. Abu Amir died in year 9 or 10 Hijri era in the courtyard of Heraclius.Al-Baladhuri also mentioned this. He said the Mosque was built by some men who refused to pray in Quba Mosque because it was built in a place where a donkey was tied up. Rather, they said they will build another mosque so that Abu Amir can lead the service in it. But Abu Amir did not convert to Islam; he left Medina and converted to Christianity. The Banu Amir built the Quba Mosque and Muhammad led the prayer in it, but their brother tribe, the Banu Ghan ibn Auf were jealous and also wanted Muhammad to pray in the Mosque, they also said that: "Abu Amir may pass here on his way from Syria, and lead us in prayer"
Burning of Masjid al-Dirar
Details of the burning
When Muhammad was returning from Tabuk, the Muslims halted at Dhu Awan. Some Muslims constructed the mosque claiming it was for the sick and needy, but because of the information given to him, Muhammad knew that it was an opposition mosque, so he sent Muslim fighters to burn it down. The men entered the mosque and set fire to it.Analysis and speculation about the burning
Isma'il Qurban Husayn speculated by saying in footnote 426, that the people were "probably" linked to those who wanted to kill Muhammad in the Battle of Tabuk, but Tabari himself did not make that claim.William Muir, a Scottish orientalist, mentions his opinion that Muhammad believed the Mosque was built to create disunity among Muslims by drawing people away from another Mosque in Quba i.e. Masjid al-Quba, which was the first Mosque to be built by Muslims.
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab at-Tamimi mentioned in an abridged version of Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya's biography of Muhammad, that the people of the city watched as the mosque was burnt down, and he also used this event to provide teachings to justify his belief that burning down places of sin is permissible in Islam.
Islamic sources
Primary sources
The event is mentioned in the Quran verse 9:107, the verse states:The Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir's commentary on this verse is as follows:
The event is mentioned by the Muslim jurist Tabari as follows: