Best for
- Religious
- Culture
- History
- Heritage
Makkah
مكة
5:05 am,
Apr 18, 2026
29°C
overcast clouds
- Temperature
- Rain Chance
6:00 am
29°/29°°C
0 mm
0%
1 mph
31%
1006 mb
0 mm/h
9:00 am
30°/34°°C
0 mm
0%
4 mph
28%
1007 mb
0 mm/h
12:00 pm
36°/39°°C
0 mm
0%
20 mph
23%
1006 mb
0 mm/h
3:00 pm
40°/40°°C
0 mm
0%
30 mph
19%
1004 mb
0 mm/h
6:00 pm
36°/36°°C
0 mm
0%
25 mph
28%
1005 mb
0 mm/h
9:00 pm
33°/33°°C
0 mm
0%
18 mph
27%
1006 mb
0 mm/h
12:00 am
31°/31°°C
0 mm
0%
3 mph
31%
1007 mb
0 mm/h
3:00 am
29°/29°°C
0 mm
0%
7 mph
36%
1006 mb
0 mm/h
Holy site
Makkah is the holiest city for Muslims. It embraces Masjid Al Haram (the GreatMosque) and Kaaba, the qiblah for Muslims to which they turn in their prayers. Muslims yearn to visit Makkah to perform Hajj or Umrah. In this city, Prophet Muhammad, the most honorable of creation, the seal of the prophets and messengers, our master Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born, and from it, the tolerant message of Islam was launched to all corners of the world after the Holy Quran was revealed. Makkah is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia. During the reign of the kings of Saudi Arabia, it received great interest. Makkah still enjoys great attentionto provide the best services to pilgrims. Its most prominent landmark, Masjid Al Haram, witnessed many expansions that included all parts of the mosque, and the holy sites received a series of development works to provide all means of comfort and reassurance for all pilgrims from inside and outside the Kingdom.
Makkah is the Sanctuary of Allah
Allah singled out Makkah and honored it over all parts of the world. One of the greatest signs is that it is His sanctuary.
What is the meaning of “Haram” (Sanctuary)?
- It is a place in which certain things, allowed elsewhere, are prohibited out of veneration and reverence for the One Who prohibited it. Allah the Exalted said: “And who observes the sanctity of the sites ordained by Allah, it will be good for him in the sight of his Lord.”
- Allah has chosen this land and made it sacred, forbidding in it what He permitted in other places, and singling it out with virtues and merits that are not found in any other place. Its sanctity and stature date back to the very first beginning of the entire universe.
- Allah has made this land into a Sanctity and assigned to it a very special rank on the day this universe was created. It will remain so until the end of time. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Allah has made this town a sanctuary from the day
Makkah the Qiblah of Muslims
Honorable Makkah is the best place on earth and the most beloved place to Allah and His Messenger.
- Allah chose it for the rituals of Hajj and made visiting it an act of worship by which ranks are raised and bad deeds are erased. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “By Allah, you are the best part of Allah’s earth and the part dearest to Him”.
- It is the place where the first House on earth for the worship of Allah alone was established. Allah the Exalted said: {The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah (Makkah): a blessed place, guidance for all worlds (of people and jinn)}.
- Makkah attained that privilege and position in the first moments of creating the universe. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Allah made this town sacred on the day He created the heavens and the earth, so it is sacred by the sanctity conferred on it by Allah till the day of resurrection”.
- Muslims from all parts of the world turn toward.
Sections of the Grand Mosque of Makkah
- Ka’bah Courtyard: Ka’bah courtyard or Mataf: It is the courtyard tiled with white marble that surrounds the honorable Ka’bah. Currently, it is called the “courtyard,” in which Muslims walk around the Kab’ah. It is also called Mataf (circumambulation area), which refers to the act of going around the Ka’bah.
- The Abbasid Corridor: The Abbasid corridor dates back to the reign of the Abbasid Caliph Muhammad al-Mahdi. This corridor has undergone many innovations down the ages and during the Saudi expansions of the Grand Mosque of Makkah.
- Saudi Expansions: Saudi leaders have prioritized improving and expanding the Grand Mosque of Makkah to keep pace with the increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. During the reign of King Saud, the first expansions of the Grand Mosque were commenced in 1375 AH. The Grand Mosque was further expanded in 1409 and in 1428AH.
- Outer Courtyards: In the second Saudi expansion, large courtyards surrounding the Grand Mosque were created and prepared for prayer, especially during the crowded seasons. They were tiled with heat-resisting marble.
- Roof of the Grand Mosque: The second Saudi expansion exploited the roof of the Grand Mosque.
Courtyards of the Grand Mosque of Makkah
The Grand Mosque of Makkah is surrounded by courtyards designed to facilitate the entry of Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrims and worshipers into the Mosque. They are also designed as prayer floors since they get filled with worshipers on Fridays and during Hajj and ‘Umrah seasons.
Key Tasks of Haram Courtyards Management:
- Facilitating the entry of worshippers into the Grand Mosque.
- Opening passages from the courtyards to the Grand Mosque gates.
- Providing assistance to drifters, the elderly and the disabled.
- Banning people from trading and begging in the courtyards.
Key services in the Haram courtyards:
- Safe Lockers
- Zamzam water
- Mist fans to cool the air
- Toilets and ablution areas
- Regular cleaning of the courtyards
In the Haram courtyards, avoid:
- Leaving your belongings in the courtyards. You can have your belongings kept in a safe locker.
- Carrying weapons and sharp materials.
- Riding a bicycle or a motorbike.
- Smoking.
Milestones of the Circumambulation Courtyard
The circumambulation area is the courtyard tiled with white marble, which surrounds the Noble Ka’bah. It is now called the courtyard. It is the space where Muslims rotate around the Kaaba.
Some important features of the circumambulation courtyard are:
- The Noble Ka’bah: It is the qiblah of Muslims and is dear to their hearts. It is the only object around which they rotate in worship to Allah.
- Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham): It is the rock on which Abraham, peace be upon him, stood when building the Ka’bah. It is a clear and visible sign in the Haram. Allah Almighty said: ” In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham.”
The Ka’bah
The Ka’bah is the Sacred House of Allah, and the greatest building for Muslims. It enjoys a great prestige and a glorious history. It was built by Abraham and his son, Ismail, peace be upon both of them.
It is the first house that Allah placed on earth so that mankind may worship Him alone, without ascribing any partner to Him. The Almighty says, “The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah: a blessed place and a guidance for the worlds.” It is the qiblah of Muslims and the thrust of their hearts. It is the only structure which they circumambulate in worship to Allah.
The Ka’bah has several features that can be observed during circumambulation:
- Al-Hatim (Hijr Ismail): It is an open semi-circular space next to the Ka’bah. A portion of it was part of the Ka’bah. Prayer inside this enclosure is equivalent in reward to prayer inside the Ka’bah.
- Door of the Ka’bah: The door of the Kaaba is located on the eastern side of the Kaaba. Today it is made of pure gold. It is 222cm above the
Makkah is the Sanctuary of Allah
Allah singled out Makkah and honored it over all parts of the world. One of the greatest signs is that it is His sanctuary.
What is the meaning of “Haram” (Sanctuary)?
- It is a place in which certain things, allowed elsewhere, are prohibited out of veneration and reverence for the One Who prohibited it. Allah the Exalted said: “And who observes the sanctity of the sites ordained by Allah, it will be good for him in the sight of his Lord.”
- Allah has chosen this land and made it sacred, forbidding in it what He permitted in other places, and singling it out with virtues and merits that are not found in any other place. Its sanctity and stature date back to the very first beginning of the entire universe.
- Allah has made this land into a Sanctity and assigned to it a very special rank on the day this universe was created. It will remain so until the end of time. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Allah has made this town a sanctuary from the day
Makkah the Qiblah of Muslims
Honorable Makkah is the best place on earth and the most beloved place to Allah and His Messenger.
- Allah chose it for the rituals of Hajj and made visiting it an act of worship by which ranks are raised and bad deeds are erased. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “By Allah, you are the best part of Allah’s earth and the part dearest to Him”.
- It is the place where the first House on earth for the worship of Allah alone was established. Allah the Exalted said: {The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah (Makkah): a blessed place, guidance for all worlds (of people and jinn)}.
- Makkah attained that privilege and position in the first moments of creating the universe. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Allah made this town sacred on the day He created the heavens and the earth, so it is sacred by the sanctity conferred on it by Allah till the day of resurrection”.
- Muslims from all parts of the world turn toward.
Sections of the Grand Mosque of Makkah
- Ka’bah Courtyard: Ka’bah courtyard or Mataf: It is the courtyard tiled with white marble that surrounds the honorable Ka’bah. Currently, it is called the “courtyard,” in which Muslims walk around the Kab’ah. It is also called Mataf (circumambulation area), which refers to the act of going around the Ka’bah.
- The Abbasid Corridor: The Abbasid corridor dates back to the reign of the Abbasid Caliph Muhammad al-Mahdi. This corridor has undergone many innovations down the ages and during the Saudi expansions of the Grand Mosque of Makkah.
- Saudi Expansions: Saudi leaders have prioritized improving and expanding the Grand Mosque of Makkah to keep pace with the increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. During the reign of King Saud, the first expansions of the Grand Mosque were commenced in 1375 AH. The Grand Mosque was further expanded in 1409 and in 1428AH.
- Outer Courtyards: In the second Saudi expansion, large courtyards surrounding the Grand Mosque were created and prepared for prayer, especially during the crowded seasons. They were tiled with heat-resisting marble.
- Roof of the Grand Mosque: The second Saudi expansion exploited the roof of the Grand Mosque.
Courtyards of the Grand Mosque of Makkah
The Grand Mosque of Makkah is surrounded by courtyards designed to facilitate the entry of Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrims and worshipers into the Mosque. They are also designed as prayer floors since they get filled with worshipers on Fridays and during Hajj and ‘Umrah seasons.
Key Tasks of Haram Courtyards Management:
- Facilitating the entry of worshippers into the Grand Mosque.
- Opening passages from the courtyards to the Grand Mosque gates.
- Providing assistance to drifters, the elderly and the disabled.
- Banning people from trading and begging in the courtyards.
Key services in the Haram courtyards:
- Safe Lockers
- Zamzam water
- Mist fans to cool the air
- Toilets and ablution areas
- Regular cleaning of the courtyards
In the Haram courtyards, avoid:
- Leaving your belongings in the courtyards. You can have your belongings kept in a safe locker.
- Carrying weapons and sharp materials.
- Riding a bicycle or a motorbike.
- Smoking.
Milestones of the Circumambulation Courtyard
The circumambulation area is the courtyard tiled with white marble, which surrounds the Noble Ka’bah. It is now called the courtyard. It is the space where Muslims rotate around the Kaaba.
Some important features of the circumambulation courtyard are:
- The Noble Ka’bah: It is the qiblah of Muslims and is dear to their hearts. It is the only object around which they rotate in worship to Allah.
- Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham): It is the rock on which Abraham, peace be upon him, stood when building the Ka’bah. It is a clear and visible sign in the Haram. Allah Almighty said: ” In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham.”
The Ka’bah
The Ka’bah is the Sacred House of Allah, and the greatest building for Muslims. It enjoys a great prestige and a glorious history. It was built by Abraham and his son, Ismail, peace be upon both of them.
It is the first house that Allah placed on earth so that mankind may worship Him alone, without ascribing any partner to Him. The Almighty says, “The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah: a blessed place and a guidance for the worlds.” It is the qiblah of Muslims and the thrust of their hearts. It is the only structure which they circumambulate in worship to Allah.
The Ka’bah has several features that can be observed during circumambulation:
- Al-Hatim (Hijr Ismail): It is an open semi-circular space next to the Ka’bah. A portion of it was part of the Ka’bah. Prayer inside this enclosure is equivalent in reward to prayer inside the Ka’bah.
- Door of the Ka’bah: The door of the Kaaba is located on the eastern side of the Kaaba. Today it is made of pure gold. It is 222cm above the