Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would also carry heavy rocks with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). At times, to grip it more firmly, he would hold it against his blessed stomach. Observing this, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would address him saying, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Leave it! We will carry it!” However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would not accept their suggestion.
In honour of this very musjid, the following verse of the Qur’aan Majeed was revealed:
لَمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوٰى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَقُوْمَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيْهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّوْنَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوْا ۚ وَاللهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِيْنَ ﴿١٠٨﴾
“Certainly, the musjid that was founded upon taqwa (piety) from the very first day has more right that you stand (for salaah) within it. In it are men who love to purify themselves (internally and externally), and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (Surah Taubah v. 108)
When this verse was revealed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked the clan of Amr bin Awf, “On account of which type of tahaarat (purity) did Allah Ta‘ala praise you (in the Qur’aan Majeed)?”
The people of Bani Amr replied, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! After making istinjaa using clods of earth, we also cleanse ourselves with water. Perhaps Allah Ta‘ala likes this action of ours.”
Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Yes! This is the action on account of which Allah Ta‘ala praised you! You should firmly hold onto this action and continue to practice upon it.”
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would visit Musjid-e-Quba every Saturday. Sometimes, he would go walking on foot, and at times, he would go mounted on a conveyance. On reaching the musjid, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would perform two rakaats of salaah.
Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaif (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who performs wudhu at home, proceeds to Musjid-e-Quba and performs two rakaats of salaah, he will acquire the reward of performing an Umrah.”
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/ 397-399)