Sunday, June 30, 2013

Islamic Libraries of the World: Maktabah Jaami’ ar-Raajihi



Written by Aboo Imraan Thomas Maldonado 

The Islamic Library of the Jaami’ ar-Raajihi Mosque was established on Sunday the 12th of Sha’ban in the year 1425 A.H. (corresponding with the 26th of September, 2004 C.E.) in the neighborhood of Hayy-al-Jazeerah in Riyadh, K.S.A. It was inaugurated alongside the Mosque by Prince Salmaan bin Abdul-Azeez Aali Sa’ood and named after ash-Shaykh Salmaan bin Abdil-Azeez ar-Raajihi.

(Library Entrance) 

The Library aims to provide access to sound and authentic Islamic Knowledge for Islamic studies and research. There are four distinct departments established to serve the community: The Library Administration, the Department of Indexes and Titles, the Department of Technical Services, and the Department of Reference Works. 

The Library houses more than 12,000 titles and 25,000 volumes in the Arabic language, most of which consist of the Islamic sciences. These works are categorized using the Dewey Decimal System comprised of ten sections.


There are a number of services such as assistance in research, reserving books, use of the Internet, assisting the blind with books in braille, answering questions about the Library, in addition to showing researchers how to use the resources available for their studies. 

The Library is located downstairs from the south entrance of the prayer hall and can be accessed via the elevator. 

The Library is open from Saturday through Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday is reserved for the women from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays.


My own personal experience of the Library was memorable. I would spend hours sifting through the sections and books only to be stopped by the staff when it was time for prayer. Speaking of the staff, they were very helpful and most were extremely knowledgeable of the subjects I inquired about. It is always kept clean, quiet, and there are plenty of chairs and desks to study at. I took the following pictures with my cell phone, they are not the best quality, but provide a visual glimpse of my personal view.



If you live in Riyadh, you have to visit it at least once. It is between Exit 15 and 16 using the Eastern Ring Road. You can’t miss the Masjid, it is strikingly immense and always crowded with worshippers. 

The link to the Masjid Library is:


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