THE MAN WHO DESIGNED MAKKAH & MADINA MASJID’S

The Man Who Designed Makkah & Madina Masjid’s

He was the Egyptian engineer and architect who was far away from the public limelight, unknown to many:
Dr. Muhammad Kamal Isma’eel (1908-2008)
▪He was Dr. Muhammad Kamal Isma’eel, an Egyptian citizen who was know as the professor of generations.

▪He was the youngest person in the history of Egypt to obtain high school (certificate), the youngest to get enrolled in the first royal school of engineering and the youngest to graduate from it, the youngest to be sent to Europe to obtain three doctorate degrees in Islamic architecture. Besides, he was the first Egyptian engineer to replace foreign engineers in Egypt. He was also the youngest to obtained the “Nile” scarf and the rank of “iron” from the king.

▪He was the first engineer who undertook the planning and implementation of the (haramain) Makkah and Madinah mosques expansion project in the history of Islam (since its inception) 14 centuries ago

▪He refused to receive million (of money) as payment for his engineering design and architectural supervision, despite efforts by king Fahad and Ben Laden Company. So when he was handed a cheque of millions (of money).
He told engineer Bakar Bun Ladan: Why should i accept money (for my work) at the two sacred
mosques, how can I face our Lord (on the Last Day. ?)

▪He was a contemporary of the entire kings of Saudi from king Abdul Aziz to King Salman.

▪He was a great expert in designing and supervision (of engineering work) and he would not accept flatter (or compliments) from anybody in his duties even if it were the king himself. So he attracted so much trust and love by king Fahad and King Abdullah.

▪He had never married until he attained 44 years of age and she gave birth to only one son, then his wife died. And he remained single and devoted his full-time in worship until he died. He exceeded hundred years which he spent in the service of the two holy mosques, far from the mass media limelight, fame and money.

It is the right of everyone to know about this architectural genius.

This genius has an amazing story in regards to the marble (works) of haram (holy mosque), as he wanted to cover the floor of the haram mosque for those making tawaf. And marble in particular absorbs heat completely.. This marble is available in a small mountain in Greece (northern Europe). He traveled to Greece and signed a contract of buying a sufficient quantity for haram (marbling)..And it was only half of the quantity in demand completely..

He sealed the deal and returned (to Makkah) and the white marble came (in stock). And indeed the placement of the marble on the floor of the holy mosque in Makkah was completed.. So years passed by and after 15 years later, the Saudi government requested from him to place similar type of marble in the premises of the holy mosque in Madinah.

Engineer Muhammad Kamal said, when the king’s office requested from me to cover the premises of the Prophet’s mosque, i got very scared, because there is no where on earth to get this type of marble to cover it wide space except in a small area in Greece, and i have already bought half of the quantity (they had) which is quiet a small quantity..

He said I went to that same company in Greece and requested to meet its director of administration and asked him about the quantity that remains..He said to me it has been sold immediately after you left.. He said, l became so sad as I have never been in my life before to the extend that i could not drink my coffee (that i was served with). I then left the office and prepare to leave with the next day flight. So when I left the office of the director of the company, I met the secretary and asked her and I do not know why..Who purchased the rest of the quantity?

She answered me saying this happened for many past years and it is difficult to return to the buyer. I said to her, since I have a one day before I leave Greece, i implore you to search (his contact) for me and this is my hotel direct phone line.. I left the number and went (back to the hotel so sad).. He said, when I left I asked myself..Why do you want to know who bought (it)? ..The genius engineer said i said or soliloquized to myself perhaps Allah will make something wonderful to happen..

On the next day, few hours before I left for the airport, I received a fone call from the secretary saying: Come to the company we have found the address of the buyer..I went went there in slow pace asking (myself) what would I do with the address of the buyer?

It so happened that i had some remaining hours before departure, so returned to the company and met the secretary. She gave me the address of the company which bought the rest of the marble..The doctor and engineer said, my heart pulsated and pumped deeply the moment i discovered that the company which bought it was a Saudi company..

I then took a flight immediately to Saudia, then upon arrival at the airport, I went directly to the company that bought the marble and went in to consult its director of administration. I asked him what he did with the marble he purchased for many years from Greece..He said, I can’nt remember..He contacted the stock room (of the company) and asked them about the white marble from Greece and they told him all the quantity is available as it was (brought)..

Engineer Muhammad Kamal further narrated, i then cried like a toddler. And the owner of the company asked me why i was crying..I then narrated to him the full story and said to him this is a blank cheque just write the amount that you want .. He said by Allah who there is no god but Him, he is the owner of the company, when he realized that the marble is for the holy mosque of the Prophet, he said i will not accept even one dirham (saudi money or currency), I dedicate all the marble “fisabililah”, free for the sake of Allah..Perhaps Allah made me to purchase this marble and forget about it, so we can use it for this all important work (of the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم mosque when the time is due).

It is important for every (Muslim) to know about this architectural genius..It really amazed me and I wanted to share this information with you. I therefore ask Allah the most High and most Powerful to build for him a mansion or palace in Paradise, he and his parents.

Ameen Oh Lord of the Universe.

Written By: Dr. Zaglool Al-Najjar, an Earth Scientist