Place to Visit in Makkah al-Mukarramah Saudi
It is the heart of the Islamic world, the cradle of revelation and the most sacred land on the earth. Islamic civilization and the mission of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), have started from its high mountains. Makkah is the home of science and varied cultures. Since, hundreds of years ago to this day, it receives and welcomes millions of visitors from all over the globe.
The sites of Islamic history in Makkah tell the history of a great civilization that has spread to most parts of the world. It is still vibrant, full of memories of the past and anticipation for the future.
The towering mountains and distinctive valleys form the identity of Makkah Al-Mokarramah.
When you visit the museums in Makkah, you will hear, see and even touch the history and stories of the past.
Given below are some important places in Makkah which, though not connected with Hajj or Umrah rites in any way, are worth visiting due to their significance in the early history of Islam. But your travel schedule should be such that you can offer all your prayers in Masjid al-Haaram with jam'at. To be present in the House of God is undoubtedly better than sightseeing.
- Birth Place of the Holy Prophet: The house where the Holy prophet was born is situated in Suq al-Lail Street. At this place, there exists a library and a school today. If you come out of Haram near Safa hill, this house is about two furlongs away on the right side.
- House of Hazrat Khudija al-Kubra: This house is situated in Fatima az-Zahra Street and is the birth place of all the children of the Holy prophet from Hazrat Khudija. After his marriage, he stayed here until his migration to Madinah.
- Jannat al-Mu'alla: This is a famous graveyard of Mecca where the Holy Prophet’s mother, Hazrat Khadija, his wife and many other companions were buried. This graveyard is on Ghaza Street near Masjid Jinn.
- Masjid Jinn: This mosque is near the graveyard of Jannat al-Mu’alla. This is also known as Masjid Bai’et. Here the Holy Prophet recited the Qur’an to the Jinns and took bai’et (oath of allegiance) from them.
- Masjid al-Ra'et: This mosque is near Masjid Jinn on the right side. In Arabic ra’et means flag. This is the place where the Holy Prophet installed his flag at the time of the Conquest of Mecca.
- Cave Hira: Cave Hira is situated on Jabl Noor about three miles from Mecca. The Holy Prophet used to retire here in solitude and spend long hours in reflection and meditation. Here he received his first Divine Revelation: "Read in the name of your Lord who created, Who created man out of a clot of congealed blood. Read, and your Lord is most Bountiful, Who taught (man) the use of pen, Taught man what he knew not." (Surah al-Alaq 46 : 1-5)
- Cave Thaur: This is a cave in Jabl Thaur about eight kilometers to the south of Mecca, in which the Holy Prophet and Hazrat Abu Bakr lay hidden for three days at the time of their migration to Madinah.
- Jabl Abu Qubais: This is a hill near Safa , right in front of Baitullah. This hill is said to be associated with the Holy Prophet’s miracle of splitting the moon asunder. Bilal mosque is situated atop this hill.
- Masjid Aai'sha: This mosque is outside the bounds of Haram in Tan'eem, situated on Madinah Road. People enter into Ihram here for Umrah, that is why it is also known as Masjid Umrah. To go there, buses are always available in front of Bab Abdul Aziz of al-Haram. If you intend to perform Umrah, get a ride to this mosque, enter into Ihram and come back to Mecca to perform Umrah.
- The Museum of the Two Holy Mosques: If you want to learn more about the history of the Two Holy Mosques, make this museum your first destination. It is the most important museum in the province due to its significant collections of documents, photographs and collectables that tell the stories of different periods of the history of the Two Holy Mosques. It consists of seven halls, each one specializing in certain exhibits.
- The Kiswa (Covering) of Ka’aba Factory: The factory has been working on making the covering of the Ka’aba since in 1346 (AH) (1927 A.D.) when King Abdulaziz ordered that it be created. . The factory has been renovated, and it reopened in 1397 (AH) (1976 (A.D.) in Om Al-Jood in Makkah. It has been equipped with modern machines for weaving Kiswa fabric, and the latest section of the automated fabric machines, while retaining the manual production style, due to its highly technical value. The factory is still keeping up with current advances while maintaining the manual ancient heritage to produce Kiswa at its best form.
- Namirah Mosque: This is a mosque in Makkah, located in Arafat. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed in this mosque on the day of Arafa during Hajjat Al-Wada’. Dhuhr and Asr prayers are held collectively there at the day of Arafa during the pilgrimage seasons.
- Khayf Mosque: It is located at the southern foot of Mina Mountain near the Minor Jamarat. Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), and other prophets before him have prayed in this mosque. It was a subject of interest and attention of Muslims throughout history and has been expanded and renovated.
- Hudaybiyah: Located 22 kilometers west to the Holy Mosque near the border of Haram, this was a station on the commercial caravan route connecting Yemen and Syria. It is an important place in the Prophet's biography, when Prophet (peace be upon him) and 1,400 of his companions intending to go to Makkah to perform Umrah stopped here in the fifth year of Hijrah. Bay’at Ridhwan was performed in this place under a tree, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) called people to the pledge of Allegiance. In the Quran, the Almighty said, “I am pleased with the believers when they swore to pledge under the tree”.
- Tuwa Water Well: This well is located in Jarwal. Its historical significance comes from when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) arrived for the opening of Makkah, and spent a night near this well. In the morning he stopped at it, drank, bathed, and then entered Makkah. It has been maintained over the centuries.
