Masjid Addas: The Story of Faith and Mercy Behind Taif's Hidden Ziyarat Site

Tucked among the orchards of Taif, Masjid Addas marks the spot connected to one of the most moving accounts from the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ difficult journey to the city: a single act of kindness from a Christian slave named Addas, in the middle of rejection and stoning. This guide covers the story, the source behind it, and how to plan a visit to this lesser-known Ziyarat site.

Masjid Addas: Quick Answer

Masjid Addas is a small, simple mosque in Taif, surrounded by orchards, connected to an account of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ visit to the city around 619 CE. According to sira (biography) accounts, after being rejected and stoned by the Thaqif tribe, the Prophet ﷺ took shelter in an orchard belonging to Utbah and Shaybah bin Rabiah, who sent a Christian slave named Addas out to him with a bunch of grapes.

What followed was a brief but meaningful exchange that led Addas to recognize the Prophet ﷺ and accept Islam, making him the only known convert from that difficult visit.

The Prophet's Difficult Journey to Taif: Rejection Before Triumph

Seeking support for his message, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ travelled to Taif, where he was met with rejection by the Thaqif tribe and, according to well-documented accounts, was stoned as he tried to leave the city. Wounded and in distress, he ﷺ took shelter in a nearby orchard belonging to Utbah and Shaybah bin Rabiah.

This moment sets the emotional backdrop for the story of Addas, a quiet act of compassion amid one of the most painful chapters of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission.

Grapes, Nineveh & a Moment of Recognition: The Story of Addas

Seeing the Prophet ﷺ resting in their orchard, Utbah and Shaybah sent their Christian slave, Addas, out with a bunch of grapes. As the Prophet ﷺ ate, he ﷺ said “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah), a phrase Addas noted was unfamiliar to the people of that land. When the Prophet ﷺ asked where he was from, Addas answered that he was from Nineveh.

The Prophet ﷺ then spoke of Prophet Yunus (Jonah), “the man of Nineveh,” connecting to Addas’s own homeland. Struck by this recognition, and by the encounter as a whole, Addas kissed the Prophet’s ﷺ hands, feet, and head, and accepted Islam on the spot, becoming, according to these accounts, the only known convert from the entire Taif visit.

A Note on Sources: Where the Story of Addas Comes From

It’s worth being clear about sourcing here: the story of Addas is not found in the canonical hadith collections of Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim. It is preserved instead in sira (biography) literature, a well-established and widely accepted form of transmission for accounts of the Prophet’s ﷺ life, distinct from hadith collections but still a recognized part of how the Seerah has been passed down. We present it here as a sira account rather than a directly narrated hadith.

Planning Your Visit to Masjid Addas: What to Expect

Masjid Addas is a genuinely lesser-known site compared to Taif's more visited locations, small, simple, and set among the city's orchards and vineyards.
The mosque is sometimes kept locked, reportedly to prevent visitors from engaging in practices some consider inappropriate at historically linked sites. Manage your expectations about interior access accordingly.
It can be hard to locate without local knowledge, so a private driver or guide familiar with the area helps considerably.
This is a quiet, reflective site, not built for large groups or tour buses, and it's best appreciated with some understanding of the story beforehand.
Combine with other Taif sites as part of the same day trip, since it sits within the broader Taif excursion from Makkah.

Masjid Addas, Quba & Qiblatain: A Full-Circle Story

The story of Masjid Addas connects meaningfully to two sites in Madina: Masjid Quba, the first mosque in Islam, and Masjid Qiblatain, where the direction of prayer changed. Together, they trace a wider arc across the Seerah, from rejection and a single act of mercy in Taif, to the foundation of the first mosque and a defining moment of early guidance in Madina. See our From Rejection to Triumph: Masjid Addas, Quba & Qiblatain guide for the fuller thematic connection between these sites.

Important Things to Know Before Visiting

This is a niche, low-traffic Ziyarat site. Don't expect the crowds or facilities of Taif's better-known locations.
Interior access is not guaranteed. The mosque is sometimes locked, so plan your expectations accordingly.
A local driver helps significantly, given the site's location among Taif's orchards.
Approach the story with the reflection it deserves. This is a small but emotionally significant account within a difficult chapter of the Seerah.

Religious & Historical Context

Religious significance

The story of Addas is connected to the Prophet’s ﷺ mission and preserved through sira literature rather than the canonical hadith collections, an important but well-recognized distinction in how early Islamic history has been transmitted.

Historical significance

The account, commonly dated to around 619 CE, offers a specific, human moment within the broader and better-documented story of the Prophet’s ﷺ visit to Taif.

Visitor information

This guide focuses on practical visiting details. For deeper scholarly explanation of sira literature or related religious questions, pilgrims should refer to a qualified source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Addas in Islamic history?

Addas was a Christian slave in Taif who, according to sira accounts, brought the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ grapes while he sheltered in an orchard, recognized him through a mention of Prophet Yunus (Jonah), and accepted Islam.

Is the Addas story mentioned in hadith?

No, it is not found in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim. It is preserved in sira (biography) literature, a distinct but widely accepted source for accounts of the Prophet’s ﷺ life.

Why is Masjid Addas significant?

It marks the location connected to this account, a moment of compassion and recognition during one of the most difficult periods of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission.

Did Addas convert to Islam?

Yes, according to these accounts, he accepted Islam on the spot, becoming the only known convert from the Prophet’s ﷺ entire visit to Taif.

Where is Masjid Addas located?

It is located in Taif, in the Al-Mathnah area, surrounded by orchards and vineyards.

Is Masjid Addas open to visitors?

Access can vary, and the mosque is sometimes kept locked. Check locally or with your driver for current status before visiting.

How do I get to Masjid Addas from Makkah?

It’s typically visited as part of a broader Taif day trip from Makkah, given its location within the city. A private driver familiar with the area is recommended, since the site can be hard to locate independently.

What is the connection between Masjid Addas, Quba, and Qiblatain?

Together they trace a wider Seerah narrative, from rejection in Taif to the foundation of Islam’s first mosque and a defining moment of guidance in Madina. Our dedicated guide covers this connection in full.

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