Masjid Al-Haram & Makkah

Makkah Al-Mukarramah, in the west of Saudi Arabia, is the holiest place of Muslims around the world along with Madinah Al Munawarah. Makkah is at a distance of 75 km from the port city of Jeddah (which is the largest city of the province), around 400 km from Madinah, and is at a distance of 1000 km from the capital city of Riyadh. It is in Makkah where the Grand Mosque, Masjid Al Haram, with the holy shrine of Ka’bah situates. The only place in the world where a Muslim can go for Pilgrimage in terms of Hajj. The Ka’bah in Makkah is the Qiblah (direction of prayer) of the Muslims around the world. It was in this sacred city that the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) was born and brought up. In the outskirts of Makkah, in the cave of Hira, the Prophet (PBUH) received the first Revelation from God Almighty through the angel Gabriel.

Makkah is an ancient mountainous city. Even before the advent of Islam, Makkah was a major trade center, the meeting point of south-north and east -west caravan trails.

Masjid Al Haram has a capacity to host 4,000,000 pilgrims at a time. The Haram, meaning “sanctury” has a set boundary with an area of 550 sq. kilometers. The Haram Mosque is almost the center of it. 

The black square building (14 meter in height) in the central courtyard of Masjid Al Haram is the Ka’bah towards which Muslims all over the world turn for Prayer. Ka’bah in Makkah is the first house built on earth to worship Allah (the God Almighty) by the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) by the command of God.

Courtesy: www.splendidarabia.com