Traveling to Makkah for the pilgrimage? Make the most out of your spiritual journey with side strips and expeditions. Ask your Hajj and Umrah package provider to add a visit to the historical sites in your package. Engage yourself in retracing the footsteps of Allah's messenger and explore Islamic historical landmarks to deepen your understanding of Islam. Makkah, being the birthplace of Islam, houses many significant historical sites.

Every year, millions of Muslims travel to Makkah to perform pilgrimage; because of the rich cultural history, tourists or pilgrims love to explore Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Jabal Al-Nour and Cave of Hira (Ghar Hira)

Jabal al-Nour, an Arabic word meaning 'Mountain of the Light,' is a mountain in the Hejaz region near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The cave of Hira holds significant importance for Muslims, as it is the place where Prophet Muhammad PBUH received his first revelation of the Quran. Jabal al-Nour is one of the most popular destinations in Makkah. The height of the Jabal al-Noor is nearly 640 m, with 1750 steps to reach the top. Cave of Hira is a small place with 1.5 meters in breadth and 4 meters high. Depending on the speed and physical ability, climbing the mountain and visiting the cave of Hira takes anywhere between 45 minutes to one and a half hours. 

According to research and Islamic history, Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to pray in solitude in the cave of Hira even before the revelation.

Ayn Zubaydah Aqueduct​

An old historical site located near Haram in Makkah is significantly important for providing tons of water through channels to Makkah and Arafat. These underground water channels remain a masterpiece of engineering. It is a common belief that the wife of the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, Zubayda bint Ja'far, ordered the diversion of the "Wadi Naman spring to Arafat," where many branches were made from it to deliver water to the land of Arafat for the pilgrims to drink water while staying on Arafat on Hajj day.

The construction of the aqueduct began in the eighth century and was completed in 801 AD. The name of the spring is Ayn Zubaydah, after the wife of caliph Harun al-Rashid. The wife of the caliph paid for the construction of the networks of channels.

Janat-al-Mu'alla

It is the oldest and most prominent graveyard in history. Jannat-al-Mu'alla is located near Jeddah, to the north of Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram. Many famous personalities and most of the family members and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are buried in Jannat-al-Mu'alla. It almost takes 15 minutes on foot to reach the cemetery from Masjid al-Haram. The majority of the pilgrims reach the graveyard to pay their respects to the departed souls. The cemetery Janat-al-Mu'alla was once destroyed in 1925 by Saudi King Ibn Saud. The reason behind this was to discourage the use of gravestones and domes or tombs. It's quite a fascinating piece of history to explore.

Masjid Al-Taneem (Masjid e Aisha)

The famous mosque, Miqat, is the second largest mosque in Makkah after Masjid al-Haram. It is one of the most visited places in Makkah, facilitating around 50,000 worshipers at a time.  Masjid Al-Taneem is located in Makkah at a distance of approximately 10 kilometres away from Masjid-al-Haram. Masjid e-Taneem is also known as Masjid-e-Aisha after the name of Hazrat Aisha, wife of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. According to the history books, Hazrat Muhammad PBUH instructed Hazrat Aisha to enter the state of Ihram from here; since then, this mosque has been known as Masjid e Aisha. It is one of the largest mosques within the boundary of Haram, with spacious prayer areas, well-organized bathrooms and ablution areas. Nowadays, it is one of the nearest and most convenient locations to enter the state of Ihram.

The Site of the Battle of Badr

Badr is an area located between Mecca and Madinah, it was the place where the first battle took place between Muslims and the Quraysh tribe. The battle of Badr was one of the most important moments in Islamic history. The event took place during the month of Ramadan. Every year, the anniversary of the event is observed.

The battle of Badr is mentioned in the Quran, and it is clearly mentioned that Allah helped Muslims to win this battle. It's a remarkable event where Muslims, despite being outnumbered and having few weapons, were victorious with the help of Allah. Today, the plain of Badr is an important place; this site not only serves as a reflection of the historical events of the battle but also evokes a sense of awe, acknowledging how Allah, through unseen forces, helped the Muslims during that critical time.

Masjid Al-Hudaibiyah

One of the oldest and most historic mosques of Makkah. Masjid Al-Hudaibiyah is a place where a 10-year peace treaty was made in 6AH between Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Quraysh, known as the 'Treaty of Hudaybiah.' This treaty gave Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions the opportunity to come back next year for the pilgrimage. Today, this mosque also serves as a Miqat for pilgrims who wish to perform Hajj and Umrah. Masjid Al-Hudaibiyah is situated near the ruins of an ancient mosque. The remains of the ancient mosque are still present near the new mosque, providing the latest facilities to enable pilgrims to enter the state of Ihram.

Final Thoughts

The breathtaking tapestry of these historical sites weaves the connection with the faith. Throughout the year, hundreds and thousands of Muslims visit these Islamic sites to deepen their understanding and rejuvenate their faith. Pilgrims opting for Hajj and Umrah packages 2024 can make the most out of the pilgrimage by visiting these Islamic historical sites. The holiest cities of Saudi Arabia, Makkah and Madinah, hold great significance in Islam. Muslims from all over the world undertake pilgrimage travel to these cities for Ziyarat. The spiritual pilgrimage becomes more beautiful and meaningful if you can make time for the exploration of these historical sites. Incorporating these sites into your Umrah itinerary gives a sense of completion to the sacred pilgrimage.