It is called “Masjid Banī Ḥārithah” because it lies within the dwellings of Banū Ḥārithah of the Anṣār. This mosque was built in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and Banū Ḥārithah used to pray in it. It appears within the ḥadīths about the change of the qiblah, for they were performing the ʿAṣr prayer, and while they were in the prayer they turned around towards the Kaʿbah.
And this is the mosque which borders al-Mustarāḥ from the western side. On the west of the mosque there was a Turkish fort, which was demolished in the year 1366 AH.
It is known as Masjid al-Mustarāḥ, because it is said that the Prophet ﷺ sat there to rest when returning from (the Battle of) Uḥud.
In view of the historical importance that this mosque holds, it was expanded and its structure renewed in a modern style during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd b. ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Saʿūd.
