By: Ashiadey Dotse
A quiet town in northern Ghana is home to one of the country’s greatest spiritual and historical treasures — the Larabanga Mosque — whose origin is closely linked to a divine dream believed to have been received by Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari.
At the African Festival in Accra, where a prototype of the historic building was mounted, it was revealed that the mosque, built more than 600 years ago, is believed to be the oldest in Ghana and among the oldest in West Africa. Oral history holds that Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari, an Islamic trader who settled in the Gonja Kingdom, received divine instruction in a dream to build a mosque on the land.
According to Mr. Suleman Morkson, Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari had prayed on the land upon his arrival in Larabanga. The following day, he dreamt that he had already built a mosque. When he woke up, he discovered that a complex foundation had mysteriously been laid — a development many believe was an act of divine intervention.
Guided by faith, Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari began building on the foundation using mud and timber. Each day, he marked the height he had reached with black wood before resting. By the next morning, the structure would appear higher than where he had stopped — a phenomenon widely believed to be spiritual assistance.
Historical accounts say the mosque was completed in just seven days. While some believe angels helped in the construction, others describe it as divine support granted to Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari to complete the sacred task.
The Larabanga Mosque is estimated to have been built around 1421, nearly 400 years before colonial rule. Its Sudano-Sahelian architectural style reflects a deep connection between people, faith and the natural environment. Built entirely from earth materials, the mosque has been preserved over centuries through community effort and tradition.
Closely linked to the mosque is an ancient Qur’an believed to be among the oldest in the world. The Qur’an, written on camel skin, is said to have been used by Ibrahim Ayuba Al-Ansari. Today, it is kept at the Larabanga chief’s palace and displayed to the public once every year. It continues to attract visitors, including dignitaries and heads of state.
Beyond being a place of prayer, the Larabanga Mosque stands as a symbol of resilience, peaceful coexistence and Africa’s rich spiritual heritage. It serves as a reminder that faith played a major role in shaping civilization in the region long before modern boundaries were drawn.
Preserving the Larabanga Mosque, historians say, is not only about protecting a building but safeguarding a powerful story of belief, history and identity for future generations.
