Makkah Ziyarah Guide

Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the home of the Kaaba, the first house built for the worship of Allah. Around the city sit the caves, mountains and valleys where the earliest years of Islam unfolded. This guide from Quba Tours explains the main places, what happened at each one, and how pilgrims visit them today.

Masjid al Haram and the Kaaba

The Kaaba stands at the centre of Masjid al Haram and is the direction every Muslim faces in prayer. It was raised by Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them. Around it sit the Black Stone, the Station of Ibrahim, the Hijr Ismail and the well of Zamzam. Tawaf and Sai are performed here, and a prayer in this mosque carries the greatest reward of any place on earth.

Safa and Marwah

These two small hills now sit inside the mosque under a long covered walkway. Hajar, the mother of Ismail, ran between them searching for water for her child, and Zamzam then flowed. Pilgrims repeat that walk seven times as part of Umrah and Hajj.

Jabal an Nour and the Cave of Hira

On this mountain north east of the Haram sits the cave where the Prophet, peace be upon him, would sit alone in worship, and where the first words of the Quran were revealed to him. The climb is steep and takes over an hour, so it suits only those in good health. Many pilgrims simply view the mountain from the road.

Jabal Thawr

South of Makkah stands the mountain holding the cave where the Prophet, peace be upon him, and Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, hid for three nights during the migration to Madinah while the Quraysh searched for them. The Quran refers to this moment with the words that Allah was with them.

Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat

These three places east of Makkah form the heart of Hajj. Pilgrims stay in the tents of Mina, stand in prayer on the plain of Arafat on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, then spend the night at Muzdalifah before returning to Mina for the stoning of the pillars. Outside the Hajj season they can be visited by road on a short tour.

Masjid Aisha at Taneem

This mosque marks the closest boundary point where visitors already inside Makkah enter the state of ihram for a further Umrah. It is named after Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who entered ihram from this area on the instruction of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

Jannatul Mualla

The old cemetery of Makkah lies a short distance from the Haram. Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, the first wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and many of his relatives and companions are buried here.

Planning your Makkah ziyarah

• A half day car or coach tour covers the main outer sites comfortably.
• Avoid the middle of the day in summer, the heat is severe.
• The climbs at Hira and Thawr are hard, plan them honestly.
• Keep Zamzam with you and wear comfortable footwear.
• Visit with reflection and stay within the Sunnah.