ZIYARAT PLACES IN MAKKAH

The Cave of Hira is a highly esteemed location in Islamic history, standing atop the Jabal al-Nour Mountain. It is where the blessed Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) received the very first revelation of the holy Quran. Measuring about 12 feet long and around 5.5 feet wide, the cave is situated approximately 3.2 kilometres from the holy Makkah.

The blessed Prophet (pbuh) would often meditate in solitude in the Cave of Hira, sometimes for a number of days together. He would stock up on provisions at such times, so there would be no hindrances to his meditation. Seeing this crucial site as part of your Ziyarat will add to the blessings of your pilgrimage.

Maqbara Maula, or the Cemetery of Ma'la, is known by several names, including Jannat al-Mu'alla and Al-Ḥajūn. It is located 1 kilometre from the Masjid Al Haram, and houses the tombs of several prominent personalities in Islamic history. It is where the first wife of the blessed Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is laid to rest, alongside several other members of the Prophet's family and his faithful companions.

A highly sacred place to perform Ziyarat, scores of people visit this historically significant graveyard each year to pay homage to the blessed Prophet's (pbuh) kin laid to rest here.

Also known as Ghar Thawr or the Cave of Thawr, the Cave of Sour holds immense significance in Islam. This is where Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) hid for three days along with his faithful companion, Hazrat Abu Bakr, to escape the search parties of the Quraysh. The cave measures around 3.1 feet in width, and has two entrances, one each from the east and the west.

Islamic history states that to protect the Prophet (pbuh) and his faithful companion, the Almighty had a spider weave an elaborate web right over the cave's entrance. The fully formed web prevented the search parties from entering the cave, as it signified that no one could have entered without breaking it.

Jabal-e Rehmat is also referred to as Jabal-Ar Rahmah or the Mercy Mount, and is located in Arafat. A highly significant site in Islamic history, this is where 'Syedna Aadam' and 'Syeda Hawwa' descended from heaven. There is a white pillar that distinctly shows the exact point where they landed.

Jabal-e Rehmat is also the place where the blessed Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) delivered his final sermon upon completion of the sacred Hajj. Reaching this point is pivotal when performing the Hajj, or the pilgrimage is deemed invalid. It is a highly esteemed site to perform Ziyarat during your pilgrimage.

Masjid Nimra is among the most beautiful mosques you will ever see, with two-thirds of it lying in the valley of Arafat, while one-third of it is situated in the valley of Urana and the valley of Nimra. As per Islamic history, Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) camped in the valley of Urana and delivered his famous last sermon after performing Hajj, while seated on his camel.

It is believed that over 100,000 Sahabah accompanied him on his final Hajj. Masjid Nimra holds unparalleled importance even today, and it is the duty of the mosque's Imam to deliver the final sermon before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together during Hajj.

Muzdalifah is a significant Ziyarat place in the holy city of Makkah. It is a mostly flat plain situated between Mina and Arafat, where pilgrims spend the night in the open air after performing a series of prayers and rituals. Pilgrims perform the Isha and Maghrib prayers at Muzdalifah. Also, this is where they gather pebbles, which they later use in Mina for the symbolic stoning of the devil. They leave for Mina shortly after the fajr prayer.

The area of Muzdalifah has been marked to clearly signify the starting and ending points, and also features several mosques and rest areas for pilgrims. The Mashur ul Haram hill in the region has a mosque built on it, which you can also visit during your Ziyarat.

Mina is a crucial Ziyarat site, and is also often referred to as the Tent City, as more than 100,000 air-conditioned tents are set up each year to offer temporary accommodation to Hajj pilgrims. This is where the Jamarat pillars are located, symbolising the devil (shaitan), which pilgrims pelt with stones on the last day of their pilgrimage.

Pilgrims stay another two days, during which they offer prayers, read the holy Quran, worship the Almighty, perform Zikr, and pay heed to Islamic lectures. However, Muslims worldwide perform this ritual, and not only pilgrims on Hajj, at the time of Eid-ul Adha. Animals are also sacrificed during this time at the same spot.

The importance of Masjid Jinn (or Masjid Haras) is paramount in Islam. The mosque has been built on the exact spot where the blessed Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) drew a line for this faithful companion, Abdulla bun Mas'ood, after the Prophet (pbuh) had been commanded to recite the holy Quran to the Jinn. As per Islamic history, the Jinn came in multitude of troops to hear the holy Quran, after which they swore loyalty to the Prophet (pbuh) and accepted Islam.

The holy mosque is one of the oldest and most important ones in the region, and is also called the Mosque of Allegiance and Mosque of Guard, as the city guards patrol up to it.

Jamarat and Mina Jamarat is located around 6.9 kilometres from the Masjid Al Haram towards the east. It is where you will find the three pillars signifying the devil (shaitan), which pilgrims must pelt on the last day of Hajj. It is also where they sacrifice animals during Eid ul-Adha.

As per Islamic history, this is the site where Prophet Ibrahim was to sacrifice his son, and where he was approached by the devil who tried to dissuade him from doing so. The stone pelting of the 3 pillars and performing sacrifices are done in remembrance of these incidents and the Prophet's staunch faith in the Almighty.