[5][2]: 255 The remains of both the original Marinid kasbah and the original Marinid mosque have been heavily obscured due to the Alaouite sultan Moulay Isma'il's monumental construction projects in the late 17th century as part of his creation of a new imperial city in Meknes.

[3][1] The vast square on the northwest side of the mosque, known today as Place Lalla Aouda, was originally the main mechouar of Moulay Isma'il's palace: a square for military parades and other ceremonies attended by the sultan and his officials, off-limits to the general public.

[7] Today the Dar al-Kebira palace is generally in ruins and overtaken by the houses of a residential neighbourhood among its remains, while Place Lalla Aouda is a public square.

The mosque's main public entrance was on its northwest side, accessed from Place Lalla Aouda.

[2] The rectangular mechouar courtyard behind the gates appears to have been modified after Moulay Isma'il's reign and is planted with several orange trees.

On the lateral sides of the courtyard (to the southwest and northeast) are two gates each leading to a large chamber; a layout similar to the Bou Inania Madrasa and whose origin is traced to the iwans of Iranian mosques.

[8][2] The chamber to the northeast is a prayer hall reserved for women, while the one to the southwest originally served as a library.

[2] The main prayer hall is a hypostyle space divided into four transverse "naves" by rows of nine horseshoe arches running parallel to the southeast or qibla wall.

The aisle that runs through the middle arches, aligned with the mihrab, is wider than the others, as is the last transverse nave directly in front of the southeast wall, thus corresponding to the traditional "T-plan" layout of medieval Moroccan mosques.

[8][2] The mihrab, a niche with a horseshoe arch opening symbolizing the qibla (direction of prayer), is highlighted with stucco-carved decoration on the surrounding wall and marble engaged columns.

[2] Today, only the main central section of the maqsura has been preserved and is on display at the Dar Jamai Museum.