Makkah - at the Dawn of Islam

The city of Makkah (Mecca) is the most visited place in the world today for it is central to the religion of Islam. It is here that the House of Allah "Bait Allah' is located almost in the center of the Makkah Valley. Many centuries ago, Makkah was still the most visited place at the dawn of Islam in the 6th century AD when it was the trade hub of the entire Arabian peninsula. 

It was perhaps the most populated place of present day Arabia with Kaabah in its center surrounded by sun baked solid rocky hills and mountains, blackened by continuous baking in the desert of Arabia. The Makkah Valley had many entrances and each entrance had its own peculator landmarks and famous family abodes.

One may not appreciate the distances today, but in those days when every distance had to be footed, an aerial views shows how distantly some of the important places were located and how people since those days till the present times had been travelling between these. One view shows how the Arafat, Mina and Makkah were distantly located and people still performed Hajj over burning sands and under the scorching sun.

Note also where the Mt Hira was located in relation to Ka'bah and with how much difficulty the Prophet of Allah used to traverse the distance to the mount and then climbing atop to the cave of Hira. 

I came across the video below and could not resist sharing for it is by far the most information video have so far seen on Makkah at the time of dawn of Islam in late 6th century. Please watch the video below on the layout of Makkah city in relation to Ka'bah at the dawn of Islam:

Disclaimer: The data for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo (Taken by me)

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Landmark Holy Place of Islam: Masjid Qiblatain (Masjid of Two Prayer Directions)

New religions take time to mature and cement their basic foundations. When Allah chose Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a pious, respectful and trusted man from one of the leading tribes of Makkah to be His last prophet through whom the last of the divine religions, Islam, was to be sent to the mankind, the pagans of Makkah were the most intolerable and hostile audience the Prophet of Allah had to face. Therefore, the Divine messages trickled down slowly and it took some 23 years to complete the religion as Islam solidified its position unto the disbelievers and nonbelievers.

Masjid Al Aqsa, Jerusalem

Initially, when the five prayers were made obligatory for the Muslims, the prayer direction  or the Qibla (in Arabic) was chosen to be the Masjid Al Aqsa in the holy lands located on a hill in the Old City of Jerusalem that for thousands of years has been venerated as a holy site, in Judaism and Christianity and from thence by Islam too. Right from the early days of Islam, Muslim's Qibla remained the direction of Masjid Al Aqsa for over 13 years, that is from 610 CE until 623 CE. However, seventeen months after the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Medina the Qiblah became oriented towards the Ka'aba, Masjid Al Haraam, in Makkah.

When the Muslims came to Medina and started praying in the direction of Masjid Al Aqsa, equally revered by the Jews and which also the direction of their prayers, the Jews initially rejoiced the fact that the Prophet of Islam had to take their sacred city as a Qibla. And it was also thought by the Muslims that by having a common Qibla, the two religions would foster religious harmony and cordial relations in future. But as the spread of Islam started to gain momentum, the Jews of Medina felt threatened of losing their religious identity and as a retaliation started to mock the Muslims for not having a Qibla of their own. "Muhammad claims that his is an independent religion and his law supersedes all previous laws, but he does not yet have an independent 'qiblah' and offers his prayers facing the 'qiblah' of the Jews".

This started hurting the Prophet of Allah and he would invariably go out at night and look towards the Heavens for a Divine command regarding the Qibla for Muslims.

The silent prayers of the Prophet of Allah were finally answered and on that fateful day of 2 Hijrah when the Prophet of Allah was leading the noon prayers, came the Divine commandment:

We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qibla with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. [Surah Al Baqara 2:144]

The Prophet of Allah had almost finished the two rakah or the cycles, when the Divine message arrived to change the direction of Qibla towards Ka'aba, Masjid Al Haraam, in Makkah. Thus the messenger of Allah changed the direction which was almost opposite to the direction of Masjid Al Aqsa and offered the remaining two cycles of the prayers. 

Masjid Al Haraam, Ka'aba - Makkah

Due to this change of Qibla, the masjid became to known as the Masjid Qiblatain, the Masjid with two Qiblas or the prayer directions.

The direction change made Muslims joyous, but it was a day of mourning for the Jews. The Muslims had now become completely independent of them and a prophecy in their old books had been fulfilled that the last of the great prophets would change the orientation of the religion of Allah from Jerusalem to the Ancient House of Abrahim (upon him be peace). Their elders went as a body to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said that if he would change his orientation back to Jerusalem, then they would follow him. [2]

Allah (ﷻ) revealed in the Quran in Surah al-Baqarah: 

“And even if thou broughtest unto those who have received the Scriptures all kinds of portents, they would not follow thy Qibla, nor canst thou be a follower of their Qibla; nor are some of them followers of the Qibla of others. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which has come unto thee, then surely wert thou of the evil doers.” [2:145]

While most of the Muslims accepted the Divine commandant wholeheartedly as Ka'aba was well known to them, some of Medina had some dual feelings as they failed to understand the wisdom behind the change in the Qibla direction. In fact it was a test for the true believer, because the true believer, unlike others, accepts the commands of Allah without any doubt:

“And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided. And never would Allah have caused you to lose your faith. Indeed Allah is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.” [Al-Baqarah 2:143]

And yet again:

“Whatever Verse (revelation) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allah is able to do all things?” [Al-Baqarah 2:106]

Thus from then on, Masjid Al Haraam, Ka'aba in Makkah became the direction for all the Muslims living anywhere in the world. Today more than a billion Muslims living all over the world face Ka'aba - an act that induces unity and focus of one's faith.

A few words about the Qibla al-Qudsiyya: It is the name given to a small sect of the Jews of Medina who converted to Islam in 622/623. When the Qibla was changed, these Jews protested and finally declined the change. They remained Muslims, but did not accept any of the verses in the Qur'an written after the date of the split. Little is known of the existence of these Islamic Jews afterwards. [3]

You may now watch a video of Masjid Qiblatain as shared on YouTube:

Next time you are in the holy lands and visit Medina, do not forget to visit this very important landmark of Islamic history. Masjid Qiblatain lies three miles away from Masjid an-Nabwi in Medina.

Photo (Masjid Qiblatain) | Photos (Masjid Al Aqsa / Masjid Al Haraam, Ka'aba | 
References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Holy Places of Islam: Al-Masjid an-Nabawi - The Prophet (ﷺ) 's Masjid

Those proceeding to Makkah, Saudi Arabia for Hajj, the annual pilgrimage, or Umra, their definite destination in Saudi Arabia is holy city of Medina Al Munawara, for this is the city which felt the footsteps of Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) and this is the city where the Prophet is buried in a specially enclosed chamber inside the Masjid Al Nabawi.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawī has the honour of being constructed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself along with his companions soon after his migration from Makkah to Medina in 622. Al-Masjid an-Nabawī is the third masjid built in the history of Islam. Today, it is the second-holiest site in Islam, and most visited after al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It is also one of the largest masjids in the world. As per experts' calculations, the area covered by the present day masjid is roughly 100 times bigger than its original size when it was built initially. Although the masjid was built with no roof, but today its architecture is one of the most absorbing and awe inspiring in the world.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi was built adjacent to the place of abode of the Prophet (ﷺ),  The land on which the masjid was built belonged to two orphan brothers, Sahl and Suhail and contained a few date trees, graves of polytheists, a resting spot for herds of cattle. The Prophet purchased the land and some polytheists graves dug up and leveled which then formed the courtyard of the Prophet (ﷺ) 's masjid.

Initially the masjid was constructed keeping its direction towards Masjid Al-Aqsa (Bait Al Muqqadas, Jerusalem), but later it was re-orientated to the south When the revelation came down to change the Qibla to Makkah in 624 CE. 

The masjid took seven months to complete and measured 30.5 m × 35.62 m (100.1 ft × 116.9 ft) upon completion. The roof at a a height of 3.60 m (11.8 ft) was supported by palm trunks was made of beaten clay and palm leaves. The three doors of the mosque were Bab-al-Rahmah to the south, Bab-al-Jibril to the west and Babal-Nisa to the east.

The most notable feature of the masjid is its Green Dome in the south-east corner of the masjid. The dome is exactly atop the house of Ayesha, wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), which later converted into the tomb of the Prophet (ﷺ). Initially a wooden cupola was erected at the place of the present day dome, which was later built as green dome in 1818 by the Ottoman sultan Mahmud II. It was painted green in 1837. 

The original minbar (place from where the Imam of the masjid addresses the audience) used by the Prophet's (ﷺ) was a "wood block of date tree". In 629, a three staired ladder was added to it. The first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, did not use the third step "due to respect for the Prophet." The third caliph Uthman placed a fabric dome over it and the rest of the stairs were covered with ebony. The minbar had many changes but the present marble minbar was made in the late fifteenth century.

There is something peculiar as for mihrabs of Prophet's (ﷺ) masjid is concerned. While all other masjid only have one mihrab, but the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) masjid has three. The current mihrab is the one used nowadays for the imam to lead prayers. The next mihrab is set back and is called the Suleymaniye or Ahnaf mihrab. It was made on the orders of the Sultan Suleyman the magnificent for the Hanafi Imam to lead prayers whilst the Maliki Imam lead prayers from the Prophetic mihrab. The Prophetic mihrab completely covers the area that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to lead prayers from except where he placed his feet. 

The Rawḍah (Arabic of "Garden") is an area between the minbar and burial chamber of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is regarded as one of the Riyāḍ al-Jannah (Gardens of Paradise). A green carpet distinguishes the area from the rest of the mosque, which is covered in a red carpet. There is a tradition that supplications and prayers uttered here are never rejected, thus every devout vising the masjid attempts to pray here, though access into the area is generally not possible and one really has to wait to find a space for him.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the most narrator of Hadihs attributed to the Prophet (ﷺ) has been quoted in Sahih Bukhari (the books on collection of Hadihs of the Prophet) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:“One prayer offered in my masjid is superior to one thousand prayers offered in other masjids except Masjid al-Haram (Makkah al-Mukarramah).”

There is a legend of an empty space or grave next to where the Prophet (ﷺ), Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allāh be pleased with them) are buried. This was confirmed, however, when the individuals who went in to change the coverings in the hujrah* in the 1970s noted the presence of an empty space. Some believe that this empty grave is meant for Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) when he returns to the earth and eventually dies his biological death. However this is just  a speculation as there is no mention of this empty grave or what this space is meant for earlier in the history of Islam.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Holy Places of Islam: Ka'bah - The House of Allah

The most revered and sacred holy place of Islam and Muslims is a cubical stone structure draped in black covering, called "Kiswah" with verses of Holy Qur'an inscribed on it with golden threads is the Ka'bah or the Bayṫ Allāh, the House of Allāh, situated right in the center of the courtyard of Masjid Al-Ḥarām (The Sacred Mosque). It is also called Al-Kaʿbah al-Musharrafah (the Holy Ka'bah). The word Ka'bah in Arabic means a cube, thus this stone structure which is 60 x 60 x 60 feet in length, width and height is known by this name all over the Muslim world. 

Located in the city of Makkah and the Hijaz province of Saudi Arabia, it is the the "Qiblah" (direction of prayer) and Muslims from all over the world face toward the direction of Ka'bah while offering their five daily prayers. They also take seven rounds around it during Hajj and Umra, as was done by Prophet Abraham after he completed the construction of Ka'bah. 

The original foundations of the Hose of Allah are said to have been laid by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and it became the first ever place of worship of Allah. However the structure only comprised of four walls with no roof. It was The Prophet Ibrahim (the biblical Abraham) who was later instructed by Allah to build a house for Him at the exact location of the earlier structure erected by Prophet Adam. Prophet Ibrahim was assisted by his son Ismael (Ishmael)

It may be added for information that right directly above the Ka'bah in Makkah, there is a similar structure up in the heavens called Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur (i.e. Allah’s House). During the famous "ascent (Mairaj)" of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the heavens, he was shown the same by Angel Gabriel:

“Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur. I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma’mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch replaces them).”

Herein under are references from Holy Qur'an about Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him) when ordered to build the Ka'bah:

2:124

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [ Allah ] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."

2:125

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf (circumambulation) and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

2:126

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [ Allah ] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."

2:127

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.

2:128

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

And in Surah Ale Imran (3:96), Allah makes a direct reference to Ka'bah: 

Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah) - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.

The four corners of Ka'bah roughly face the four points of the compass. At the East is the Black stone (Rukn el Aswad), at the North is el Ruken el Iraqi, at the west al Rukne el Shami and at the south al Rukne el Yamani. These directions point towards towards Syria, Jordan and Palestine from northern corner; the east corner (where the Hajar al-Aswad is) faces towards Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia; the south corner (Rukun Yamani) faces towards Yemen, Mauritius and Kenya; and the west corner faces towards Egypt, Morocco and Spain. Other countries in relation to Ka'bah are as under:

Map courtesy Islamiclandmarks

A door is fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing North East. In front of the building was Maqame Ibrahim (the place of Prophet Abraham where he stood and undertook Ka'bah's construction) , the arch shape gate known as that of Banu Shayba and the Zam Zam Well.

Hajar el Aswad (the Blackstone, a stone that was sent down from the Heavens above) is fixed on the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground, with a diameter is around 12 inches.

At a distance of about 500 yards are located the famous twin hills called Safa and Marwa. These were the two hills tops between which Hajra, wife of Prophet Abraham ran for seven times to find water for his newly born son Ismael. It was on the seventh run that a stream erupted from the dry desert where little Ismael was kicking his feet out of extreme thirst. It is a miracle of Allah that since over four thousand years, the Zam Zam well produces thousands of gallons of water every day and has never since dried. 

Ka'bah has been used as a House of Allah for quite a long time after Prophet Ismael, but slowly and gradually the pagans took control over it and made it a house of wordily idols where other tribes of Arabia came for annual pilgrimage. 

Ka'bah has undergone many reconstruction efforts and one important reconstruction is worth mentioning when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in his prime youth. The Blackstone which had been taken out to allow the construction work became a bone of contention among the pagan tribes as every tribe elder wanted to place the Blackstone by hand. It was thus decided by elders that anyone who enters Ka'bah the next morning will decide how to reinstall the Blackstone. And it so happened next morning that young Muhammad walked into Ka'bah courtyard and was chosen to give out the solution. He asked the Blackstone be placed in the center of a cloth and to be carried near the place of installation by all tribal chief holding the cloth from all sides. And then he picked up the stone and placed it at its designated place. Hence with the foresight of Muhammad, tension was defused and everyone accepted the arrangements so suggested.

The Ka'bah continued to be used by the pagans of Makkah and Arabia as site of annual pilgrimage until 631 CE, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) destroyed all the idols, including the huge idol named Hubbal placed inside the Ka'bah and others outside of the Ka'bah after the fall of Makkah and brought it back to its original glory as House of Allah. And designated it for the annual pilgrimage of Muslims from all over the world, in step with Prophet Ibrahim's footsteps.

While clocks and all motions are described in the world are Clockwise, the circumambulation around Ka'bah is anticlockwise. This may sound strange to many but if we study astronomy,  movement of electrons and circulation of blood in human body, we would find that all movements and motions are anticlockwise.

The circumambulation has been anticlockwise ever since even when no one knew the celestial and astronomical movements. It is only now we know that moon rotates around earth in anticlockwise motions, while earth rotates around its axis anticlockwise, and so do all planets of our solar system rotate around sun in anticlockwise direction. Even our blood inside our bodies circulates anticlockwise. So when we take circumambulation around Ka'bah anticlockwise, we in fact follow the same anticlockwise rotation of the entire universe - all following Allah's prescribed anticlockwise path.

Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the globe come to Makkah and perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, beside performing voluntary Umra other than the Hajj season. Umra is performed exactly like Hajj excluding sacrificing the animals which is obligatory in Hajj only. Performance of these obligatory and voluntary rituals bring Muslims from all over the world where everyone perform the Hajj and Umra in uni-some without caring for one's colour or creed. This is what unity is and it is hoped one day all Muslims will join hands to be one as desired by Allah and which in fact is the essence of Islam. 

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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