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Makkah is the most beloved land in the sight of Allah (SWT). In Surah Al-Imran, Allah (SWT) states: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-Alamin (mankind and jinn).” [3:96]
It was here that the final prophet and guide of the whole of mankind, Muhammad (PBUH), was born and commenced his Prophethood.
Let’s explore together the significance of our beloved sacred city: Makkah.
Muslims all around the globe face the Kaaba when praying. It is the holiest shrine and a sanctuary in Islam. The Kaaba has a unique structure: It is cubical in shape, about 60 ft. high and 60 ft. wide and surrounded by the largest mosque in the world (Al-Masjid Al-Haram). There outside is covered with a silk cloth embroidered in gold with Quranic verses, it is called the Kiswa. AL Kaaba is the first house on earth built for the worship of Allah (SWT).
Allah(SWT) mentions in the Quran in Surah Al-Ma’idah: “Allah has made the Kaabah – the Sacred House – a means of support for people.” [5:97]
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “One hundred and twenty mercies descend upon the Kaabah every day and night; sixty for those performing tawaf, forty for those engaged in salah and twenty for those who are merely looking at the Kaabah.” [Bayhaqi]
The mosque all Muslims would know by heart and love to be at! Also known as The Holy Mosque, Al-Haram Mosque, Haram al-Sharif, Masjid al-Sharif and the Haram. It is the holiest and largest mosque in the world and the primary destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Haram complex covers an area of 366,168 m² and accommodates up to 1.5 million worshippers during the Hajj. Surrounded by the holiest places of Islam, The Mosque has the Kaaba, indoor and outdoor praying areas and also holy places like Al Safa, Al Marwan, Muqam Ibrahim, and Zamzam. The beautiful and majestic view that this mosque offers is parallel to none. The Holy Mosque is the only mosque that has no Qibla direction, since Muslims pray facing the Kaaba in the central courtyard.
The reward of prayer offered in Masjid al-Haram is multiplied many times. Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said:“A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than one thousand prayers anywhere else, except for al-Masjid al-Haram. A prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram is better than one hundred thousand prayers (anywhere else).” [Ahmad]
Masjid Jinn is located near Jannat al-Mualla. It is also known as the Mosque of Allegiance and the Mosque of Guards. The mosque is built at a place where a group of Jinn gathered one night to hear the recitation of Holy Quran. Prophet (PBUH) drew the line for his companion Abdullah bin Mas’ood (RA) to sit, after he was commanded by Allah (SWT) to recite the Quran to the Jinns. Prophet (PBUH) later met the leaders of these Jinns and accepted their embrace of Islam. This incident is mentioned in the Quran in the Surah (chapter) Al- Jinn.
It was narrated by Abdullah bin Mas’ood (RA) that Prophet (PBUH) said,“A caller from among the jinn came to me, and I went with him and recited Quran to them.” He further narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) took them and showed them their footsteps and the traces of their fires. They had asked him for provision and he had prayed to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and told them: “You will have every bone over which the name of Allah has been mentioned; when it falls into your hands it will have plenty of meat on it. And all droppings are food for your animals.” Then the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Do not use them (bones and dung) to clean yourselves after relieving yourselves, for they are the food of your brothers.” [Sahih Muslim]
Located at a distance of few kilometers from the Holy Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram), Masjid e Aisha or Masjid e Taneem is a beautifully constructed mosque.
Also known as Masjid at-Tan’eem and and Masjid e Umra, the mosque marks the place where Ummul-Mu’mineen Aisha (RA) went to enter into Ihram for Umrah when the Prophet (PBUH) told her to do so during the farewell Hajj.
Masjid Aisha serves as a place of Miqa’t for pilgrims who visit to perform Hajj or Umrah. The Prophet (PBUH) has said: “Part of the worship of Hajj and Umra is to travel in the way of Allah and to go out of the city.”[1]
This is quite a big mosque with superb facilities for baths, ablution and changing, available for pilgrims and those who come to offer regular prayers.
Masjid Nimrah ligger på Arafat-sletten og ble bygget i islams andre århundre. Da profeten (fvmh) var i Arafat på sitt farvel Hajj den niende dagen i Dhul Hijjah 10 AH (632 e.Kr.) slo han leir der. Etter middag holdt han sin berømte preken ved Waadi Urana i nærheten mens han satt på kamelen sin, hvoretter han ledet salahen. Kort tid etter at Profeten (fvmh) var ferdig med å tale til folket, mottok han en åpenbaring fra Allah (SWT): “I dag har jeg perfeksjonert din religion for deg og fullført Min gunst over deg, og jeg har valgt islam som din religion.” [5:3]. Mer enn 100 000 Sahabah fulgte ham på denne Hajj.
Masjid al-Khayf is a mosque whose virtues are proven in several Hadith. According to a traceable Hadith of Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said: “Seventy Prophets prayed in Masjid al-Khayf.”
Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrates that it was in Masjid al-Khayf that the Prophet (PBUH) addressed them. After praising Allah (SWT) He said: “Allah will set right the affairs of the person whose prime concern is the Aakhirah(Hereafter), Allah will also grant him self-sufficiency and the world will humble itself before him. As for the person whose prime concern is this world, Allah will scatter his affairs, place poverty in front of him and all he will get of this world will be what has been predestined for him.“ [Tabraani]
Mount Arafat is the hill where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon speech. Also, this is the place where Adam and Eve landed on earth after falling from Heaven, the place where Adam was forgiven, hence it is also known as Jabl-ar-Rahmah . A pillar is erected to show the place where the aforementioned took place.
Standing on Arafat is an essential part of the Hajj; whoever misses the standing on Arafat has missed Hajj, because the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Hajj is Arafat.” [al-Hakim]
The day of Arafah has many virtues, as was narrated in many Hadith. Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafat. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?’” [Muslim]
On the 9th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah pilgrims go to Arafat from Mina, for the most important part of the Hajj.
Mountain of Light—known as Jabal-Al-Noor—is one of the most popular places in Makkah that lures the visitors that come to Makkah due to the famous Hira Cave (Ghar-e-Hira)— Jabal-e-Noor means “the mountain of light”. The first revelations of the Holy Quran were sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Hira Cave in Ramadan, 610 CE. The Quran states this night as “the Night of Power”.
The Prophet (PBUH) first began to have revelations in the form of good dreams which came true. Then he began to like solitude. He would go to the cave of Hira and meditate there in solitude for a number of days and nights. He would take provisions with him to stay for an extended period, and when He returned to Khadija (RA), He would stock up again and go back to the cave. This was his practice until Truth was revealed to him by an angel while He was in the cave of Hira.
It’s a rocky mountain so travels must hike for roughly around two hours to get to the Hira Cave. You can also watch Kaaba once you reach the top as it directly faces the most sacred site in Islam.
Muzdalifah stretches from the Valley of Muhassar to the mountains of Ma’zamayn and is 4km long covering an area of 12.25 km².
Referring to Muzalifah, Allah (SWT) mentions in Surah Baqarah in the Quran:“When you leave Arafat, then remember Allah at the Mash’arul Haram.” (‘The Sacred Monument’, referring to Muzdalifah according to Abdullah bin Umar (RA))
During the farewell Hajj, the Prophet (PBUH) performed the Maghrib and Isha salats together at Muzdalifah. He stayed at the spot where the present Masjid Mash’arul Haram currently is (towards the Qibla side). From there, the Prophet (PBUH) said:“Although I am staying here, you may stay anywhere throughout Muzdalifah.” [Muslim]
During Hajj, it is waajib (duty) to perform Maghrib and Isha together in Muzdalifah at Isha time. Wuqoof (stay) of Muzdalifah is also waajib, it begins from sub’h saadiq and ends at sunrise. Although pebbles for pelting the Jamarat may be collected from anywhere, they are best collected from Muzdalifah.
Mina is where the Hajj pilgrims sleep overnight on the 8th, 11th, 12th of Dhul Hijjah. It contains the Jamarat, the 3 stone pillars which are pelted by pilgrims as part of the rituals of Hajj.
Mina is referenced in Surah Baqarah in Quran: “And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days. Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days – there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] – there is no sin upon him
The word Mina means ‘to flow’ as it is there that the blood of sacrificial animals’ flow during the day of Eid Al Adha. During the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat-ul-Wada) Muslims bring with them 100 camels to be sacrificed. On the 10th Dhul Hijjah the Prophet (PBUH) stoned the Jamarat and went back to his camp in Mina where he sacrificed 63 of the camels.
Ali (RA) slaughtered the remaining 37 camels and the Prophet (PBUH) instructed that a part of each camel is cooked and served to him and his Companions.
The cave of Thawr is where the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA) too shelter while on their way to Madinah in the prophetic migration trip. While the Prophet (PBUH), and his companion (RA), were in the cave, the Quraysh approached, looking for them until they reached the cave’s entrance. In this grave situation, out of His bounty and limitless Omnipotence, Allah The Almighty safeguarded them.
The cave is a hollow rock with a height of 1.25m and has two entrances. It is about 4km south of Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Haraam and 748m above sea level.
