Makkah, as one of the holiest cities, contains numerous historical sites that may not be well-known among pilgrims. However, this article will highlight a selection of fascinating and notable locations worth seeing during an Umrah in Makkah.
Bilal bin Rabah rDy llh nh was one of Prophet Muhammad’s closest companions and is seen here at his house, now transformed into a mosque by Saudi authorities.
Cave of Thaur
Ghar Thawr or Cave of Thaur is an inspiring place of worship for Muslims, situated atop Makkah’s Mount Thaur and home to a cave that provided shelter to Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr during their migration from Makkah to Madinah. Steeped in religious significance, many Muslims make an effortful trek up its challenging trails each year.
According to legend, Allah ordered a spider to spin a web at the entrance to a cave to protect Prophet and Abu Bakr from being caught by Quraysh soldiers, further strengthening their trust in His benevolence. They stayed hidden there for three days and three nights before heading towards Madinah.
Makkah Al Mukarrama Library
The Makkah Al Mukarrama Library is one of the world’s largest libraries and located within walking distance from Masjid al Haram. Many pilgrims visit this library as it is believed to be built at the location where Prophet Muhammad was born; consequently many of them visit it out of reverence for this sacred spot.
The library houses an expansive collection of books on various aspects of Islamic history and culture as well as both holy Mosques. Furthermore, rock inscriptions and archaeological artifacts can also be found here.
In 1357 AH, a library was first established at the Grand Mosque but eventually relocated outside to become a public library serving religious scholars.
Tuwa Well
Bi’r Tuwa, located nearby Masjid al Haram, is often neglected by pilgrims – yet has an important place in Muslim history. According to tradition, Prophet Muhammad would visit this well and perform wudu before entering Kaaba.
It was also here that Muhammad received the revelation to shift Muslims’ prayer direction from Bait al-Maqdis in Jerusalem to Makkah’s Kaaba in Rajjab 2 AH and performed Eid prayers until his death four years later.
Kiswa Factory
Kiswa Factory is where an intricately embroidered black silk curtain for covering the Kaaba (The Ancient House) in Mecca is created each year. The unique fabric contains Quranic verses and invocations as well as embroidery of silver wires painted gold containing verses from Holy Qur’an.
For centuries, Egypt was responsible for producing the Kiswa and sending it annually with pilgrims to Makkah; but in 1927, Saudi Arabia took on that responsibility instead.
At present, this process takes place in a house known as the King Abdul Aziz Complex for Manufacturing the Kaaba’s Kiswa. This mammoth undertaking requires skilled workers who dedicate many hours towards designing and embroidering precious fabric.
Zubaida Canal
This historic site stands as a testament to past civilizations’ engineering achievements, serving as an iconic symbol of Saudi Arabian heritage and providing pilgrims with water on their pilgrimage route between Makkah and Mecca.
Queen Zubaida, wife of Abbasid Caliph Haroon al-Rasheed, created this canal after realizing that Arafat, Mina and Makkah residents were experiencing water shortages that cost one dinar per pail; pilgrims in particular were suffering acute thirst.
She took an initiative to address this problem by digging a canal. Spending seventeen lac dinars for this endeavor, she did this act of kindness for pilgrims.
Masjid al-Jinn
The Sacred Mosque of Makkah offers many historical places that are significant to Muslims, including Maqam Ibrahim – a station with footprints from Prophet Abraham and Ismail which marks an important point in Islamic history. By visiting Maqam Ibrahim pilgrims can connect with their spiritual roots while appreciating Islam’s rich past.
Masjid al-Jinn (also referred to as Mosque of the Jinn) is another important mosque in Makkah that holds an interesting story: that of how Jinns came together here and listened as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) read aloud from the Quran; eventually these Jinns converted and accepted Islam as a result.
