Makkah
Makkah
Makkah stands as the spiritual heart of more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, its history intertwined with the very foundations of Islam. At its centre lies the Kaaba. The focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is commanded to undertake at least once in their lifetime.
The Kaaba and Masjid al-Haram
At the heart of Makkah is Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world, encircling the sacred Kaaba. Draped in the black silk Kiswah, the Kaaba marks the Qibla, the direction towards which Muslims everywhere turn in prayer. More than a mosque, Masjid al-Haram is a sanctuary of reflection, devotion, and unity, welcoming millions of pilgrims each year for Hajj and Umrah.
A Cultural and Spiritual Hub
Makkah is not only a place of worship but also a vibrant city steeped in heritage. Its bustling markets, historic landmarks, and modern developments create a unique blend of ancient tradition and contemporary life. This convergence of cultures fosters a deep sense of global community and shared faith among visitors.
The Journey to Makkah
For Muslims, visiting Makkah is a transformative experience, a chance to connect deeply with their faith and walk in the footsteps of prophets. Whether performing the Hajj, undertaking the lesser pilgrimage of Umrah, or simply coming to witness its sanctity, Makkah remains a place of unparalleled significance, inspiring devotion, unity, and spiritual renewal.
One of the most famous mountains in Makkah, located to the east of the Holy Mosque, this mountain includes the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet used to worship before the Prophethood. It is the place where the first verses of the Quran were revealed, with the words: 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' [Surah Al-Alaq: 1]. It is one of the high mountains in Makkah, with its peak resembling the hump of a camel. There is no mountain in Makkah that resembles Jabal al-Nour; it is unique in shape and appearance among the mountains.
One of the most famous mountains in Makkah, located to the south of the Grand Mosque, is Jabal Thawr. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq took refuge in the Cave of Thawr on Jabal Thawr for three nights during their migration to Madinah. The disbelievers of Quraysh followed their trail to the entrance of the cave but were unable to find them. In this context, Allah says: "If you do not aid him (the Prophet), Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved drove him out as one of two when they were in the cave. When he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.'" (Surah At-Tawbah: 40).
One of the most famous mountains in Makkah, located to the south of the Grand Mosque, is Jabal Thawr. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq took refuge in the Cave of Thawr on Jabal Thawr for three nights during their migration to Madinah. The disbelievers of Quraysh followed their trail to the entrance of the cave but were unable to find them. In this context, Allah says: "If you do not aid him (the Prophet), Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved drove him out as one of two when they were in the cave. When he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.'" (Surah At-Tawbah: 40).
It is located at the base of Mount Thubayr overlooking the Jamrat areas in Mina, at the site of the Pledge of Aqabah, where the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the presence of his uncle, Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib. This pledge led to the migration of the Prophet to Madinah. Caliph Abu Ja'far al-Mansur built a mosque at the site of the pledge in the year 144 AH / 761 CE. The mosque was renovated and maintained during the Saudi era, with the latest restoration being part of Prince Mohammed bin Salman's project to develop historical mosques.
It is one of the significant historical mosques in Makkah, located near the Sacred Mosque. It was built in the early 3rd century AH (9th century CE). It is named after the place where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met the jinn at night, and where Surah Al-Jinn was revealed. Allah Almighty says: "Say, ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened [to the Quran] and said, ‘Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation’" (Surah Al-Jinn, 72:1). It is also known as the Mosque of the Guard because it was the last point on the northeastern side of the Haram where the guards maintaining security in Makkah would meet and gather. It is also called the Mosque of the Pledge because the jinn pledged allegiance to the Prophet at this location. King Abdulaziz Al Saud took special care and interest in this mosque, and its construction has been recently renovated.
Located west of Makkah, it is one of the places from which residents of Makkah and others enter into Ihram for Umrah. The place gained its fame because Aisha bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) entered into Ihram for Umrah from there, after the Farewell Pilgrimage. Therefore, it is named the Mosque of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah, your companions return with the reward of Hajj and Umrah, but I did not perform more than Hajj." He replied: "Go, and let Abdur Rahman accompany you." So, Abdur Rahman was instructed to perform Umrah with her from Tan'im, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) waited for her at the top of Makkah until she arrived. This site is one of the closest places for exiting Ihram from the Haram. The mosque was built in 240 AH (854 CE) and has been renovated many times, with the most recent renovation occurring during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Namirah is the name of a small mountain located to the west of the mosque, to which it is attributed. Pilgrims pray the midday (Dhuhr) and afternoon (Asr) prayers combined and advanced at this site, following the example of the Prophet who moved from Mina to Arafat to stay in a tent at Namirah on the Day of Arafat, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. After the sun passed its zenith, he moved to the valley of Uranah where he delivered a sermon and prayed with the people. The Namirah Mosque has undergone several expansions throughout history, with the most recent being during the Saudi era to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, making it one of the largest mosques in the world.
Located in the Mina area, this bridge was built and developed during the Saudi era to facilitate the process of stoning the Jamarat for pilgrims and to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims each year. It is situated at the location where Shaitan was said to have tried to tempt the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he intended to sacrifice his son Ismail. It has since become the designated area for pilgrims to perform the stoning ritual at the three Jamarat: the small Jamarah, the middle Jamarah, and the large Jamarah (Jamarat al-Aqabah). Stoning the Jamarat is one of the essential rites of Hajj, involving throwing seven pebbles at each Jamarah. According to a narration from Abdullah bin Omar (may Allah be pleased with him), he would throw seven pebbles at the lower Jamarah, making a Takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar") after each pebble, then move forward and stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba) to pray and raise his hands. He would then throw at the middle Jamarah in the same manner and pray similarly. Finally, he would throw pebbles at the Jamarah al-Aqabah from the valley floor without standing there, saying: "This is how I saw the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) do it."