Makkah - The Holy City of Islam

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It goes without saying that Makkah is one of the most sacred places on earth. Considered to be one of the major seats of Islam, the holy City of Makkah lies nearly 70 kilometers east of Jeddah.

Makkah (Mecca) gets its supreme religious aura from the fact that it was at this ancient land that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was not only born, but the first message of God was revealed to him. The historical importance of Makkah (Mecca) is further heightened by the fact that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) had returned to the city of Makkah (Mecca) in 622 AD after migrating to Madinah.

In terms of precise geographical features, Makkah (Mecca) is situated in the sandy Valley of Abraham. Makkah (Mecca) has mountain ranges on three sides (on the west, south and east) and it is 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level. There are three main entrances to reach to the pious land of Makkah (Mecca) which are: Al-Mu'allat, Al-Musfalah and Al-Shubaikah.

After Islamic culture came into prominence, Makkah (Mecca) began attracting pilgrims and scholars from all over the world. Dubbed as the holiest city for followers of Islam in the world, the strength of Makkah (Mecca) in drawing millions of pilgrims every year has only grown over the centuries. In fact, for every Muslim, it is considered to be quite auspicious to visit Makkah (Mecca) at least once in his life.

That the importance of Makkah (Mecca) is invaluable for Muslims all over the world is well reflected by the fact that five times each day, over one billion Muslims in the world turn towards the Holy City of Makkah (Mecca) to offer their namaz or prayer. Each year this sacred place is visited by over two million hajjis (pilgrims) from all over the world during the month of Ramadan.

The main focal point in Makkah (Mecca) is the Kaaba or the "House of God" which was rebuilt by Abraham and his successors. It is covered in a gold-embroidered black fabric (kiswah). The holy mosque in Makkah (Mecca) houses the Kaaba and in one of its corner lies the Black Stone. This stone has a religious significance of its own as it marks the starting point for the seven circumambulations of the Holy Mosque which every hajji has to undertake.

In order to facilitate hassle free visit to the holy city of Makkah (Mecca), the government of Saudi Arabia makes consistent efforts to provide best facilities to the visitors. Makkah (Mecca) is also attached with a seaport and an international airport at Jeddah and so visiting it today is not a problem for anyone who desires


Tawaf - An Islamic ritual


In Islamic tradition, Tawaf literally refers to the ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba (the holiest building in Makkah) seven times during the pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.

The followers of Islam observe tawaf by walking around the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction four times at a brisk pace. The total number of laps in tawaf is seven and the remaining three are undertaken in a leisurely fashion in the clockwise direction.

The circling rite of tawaf mainly reflects the unity of the believers in the worship of the One God, as they together in tandem with each other irrespective of any distinction between them. The rite of tawaf owes its genesis to an important event in the life of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) wherein he himself had circled the Kaaba seven times. After the end of the circling rounds, the pilgrims visit the station of Ibrahim to pray two rak'ahs.

The tawaf rite, however, is not performed in a singular fashion. There are several forms/types to do it. They can be broadly classified as:

Tawaf al-nisa – It is a second tawaf that is performed during Umrah. This type of tawaf is only recognised by Shia scholars.

Tawaf Qudoom - The 'Welcome tawaf'

Tawaf Tahiyah – It is the tawaf which is performed after entering the Masjid al-Haram.

Tawaf Umrah – It denotes tawaf performed specifically during Umrah.

Tawaf Widaa- It literally means the 'farewell tawaf.'

A striking quality of tawaf rite is that both men and women are allowed to perform it simultaneously. It is also permissible for a physically challenged person who cannot walk to do the tawaf. He can be carried by others, or in a wheel chair, or through some other mean to perform tawaf