• The niche is the place where the Imam prays in the direction of the qiblah. There have been many niches in the Prophet’s Mosque throughout history.
• After shifting the qiblah to the Sacred House in Makkah, the Prophet, (blessings and peace be upon him), changed the niche from the northern to the southern part of the mosque. Then, it was moved to the southernmost end of the expansion that took place during the era of Omar bin Al-Khattab. It was then changed as a result of the expansion during the era of Othman bin Affan. This is the place where the Imam stands today.

Niches of the Prophet’s Mosque
Numerous niches have been built in the Prophet’s Mosque throughout the ages. The most important of those niches are:

• The Prophet’s niche: It is located in the honorable Rawdah, to the left of the pulpit, where the Imam prays today.
• The Ottoman niche: It is located in the southern wall of the Mosque where the imam used to pray in the past.