Makkah — The Holy City

Makkah is the most sacred city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Every Muslim who is able is required to visit it at least once in their lifetime for Hajj, and it may be visited at any time for Umrah.

Sacred Sites

• ◆The KaabaThe Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure at the centre of Masjid al-Haram. It is the Qibla — the direction Muslims face during prayer — and the focal point of Tawaf. It was built by Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS) as commanded by Allah. The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) is embedded in its southeastern corner — it was placed there by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
• ◆Masjid al-HaramMasjid al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world, surrounding the Kaaba. It can hold over 2 million worshippers at a time. Prayer here carries a reward of 100,000 times over prayer elsewhere. The mosque has been expanded many times, most recently under the Saudi government to accommodate the ever-growing number of pilgrims.
• ◆The Zamzam WellThe Zamzam well is located approximately 20 metres from the Kaaba. It was miraculously revealed by Allah when Hajar (AS), wife of Ibrahim (AS), searched desperately for water for her infant son Ismail. The well has been flowing continuously for over 4,000 years. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for.' (Ibn Majah)
• ◆Mount Arafat (Jabal ar-Rahmah)Mount Arafat, located about 20 km east of Makkah, is known as the Hill of Mercy. It is here that the Prophet ﷺ delivered his final sermon. Standing on Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the most essential pillar of Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Hajj is Arafat.' Pilgrims performing Umrah do not go to Arafat — that is specific to Hajj.
• ◆Cave of Hira (Jabal an-Nur)Jabal an-Nur (Mountain of Light) is where the first revelation of the Quran descended upon the Prophet ﷺ through the angel Jibreel (AS). The cave is at the top of this mountain, about 640 metres above sea level. The Prophet ﷺ used to spend days and nights in meditation here before prophethood. Many pilgrims visit this site to reflect on the beginning of the Quran's revelation.
• ◆Birthplace of the Prophet ﷺThe Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant (approximately 570 CE). The site of his birth is now marked by a library. He ﷺ grew up in Makkah, received his first revelation at age 40, and later migrated to Madinah during the Hijrah in 622 CE. He returned to Makkah triumphantly in the 8th year of Hijri, forgiving those who had persecuted him.

Did You Know?

• ◆Makkah receives over 13 million pilgrims annually during Hajj and Umrah seasons combined.
• ◆Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the city of Makkah.
• ◆The Kiswah — the black cloth covering the Kaaba — is replaced every year on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah.
• ◆The distance between As-Safa and Al-Marwah — walked seven times during Sa'i — is approximately 450 metres, making one full Sa'i about 3.15 km.