Mecca, also known as Makkah, is considered one of the holiest cities in Islam, holding a place of utmost importance in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. So if you are planning on setting out on the holy journey of Umrah or Hajj, then you are about to understand the importance of Mecca. The pious Islamic city is a sacred place where Muslims gather at different times of the year to seek the blessings of Allah by performing the holy rituals as guided in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Mecca is located in the Hejazi region of western Saudi Arabia, a desert valley surrounded by mountains. The city holds immense religious significance in the hearts of Muslims around the world. Muslims mainly visit this city to perform Hajj and Umrah, where one of the world’s largest gatherings takes place. Mecca is the birthplace of the holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who was born back in 570 CE. He was born with the purpose of conveying Allah’s message to humanity, where the revelation of the holy Quran and the establishment of Islamic teachings began.
Mecca is also renowned for housing the Kaaba, the house of Allah. Situated in the Masjid Al-Haram at the heart of Mecca stands a black cubic structure, which is the focal point for Muslims while praying. Muslims visit there to follow the steps of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Performing the Hajj in Mecca
Hajj is the fifth pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, which is a must-do ritual at least once in a lifetime for a Muslim. Hajj is celebrated in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah, which is generally between June and July. Every year, millions of Muslims travel from different corners to strengthen their Islamic faith in Allah. One can find the verse “وَأَذِّن فِي ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ يَأۡتُوكَ رِجَالٗا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٖ يَأۡتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٖ” in Surah Al-Hajj (22:27), stating that people will respond to the call of Allah and travel to the Kaaba, either on foot or on camel, coming from distant lands. Men are required to wear two pieces of white cloth, whereas women wear traditional clothes, ensuring their heads are covered. The clothes help in symbolising the equality of all Muslims before Allah.
Spiritual Significance of Praying Towards Mecca
Muslims pray five times a day towards the Kaaba, and this direction is also known as the Qibla in Arabic. It is considered a symbolic act of unity and a means to appreciate the spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. It helps create a spiritual bond between Allah and the worshippers offering their salah. However, the qibla was different earlier when salah was offered towards the direction of Masjid al-Aqsa. On the day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received a revelation instructing to change the qibla to the Holy Kaaba.
Fascinating Facts on Mecca
Here are some interesting facts to learn about Mecca before visiting it for performing your Hajj or Umrah ritual.
- There is a ritual of kissing the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), which denotes a symbol of purification.
- It is believed that the black stone was not always black, but it turned black due to exposure to the sins of mankind.
- Only the keyholders of the Kaaba are allowed to enter it, who are usually the members of the Bani Shaybah family.
- Every year, the kiswah (Kaaba’s covering) is replaced, reflecting the care and reverence.
Conclusion:
Thus, Mecca plays a pivotal role in strengthening the unity of Muslims worldwide. Housing the Kaaba and offering their salah towards the Qibla, five times a day, helps improve their spirituality. Every year, millions of Muslims rush to Mecca to perform Hajj, as was commanded to the Prophet Ibrahim after finishing the building of the Kaaba, which was also instructed in the Holy Qur’an. Being the first holiest city, along with being the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, every Muslim tries their best to at least visit once in their lifetime.
Call for Umrah has brought you a number of Umrah packages to help you visit Mecca and perform Umrah. Whether you are a budget traveller or a luxury traveller, we offer some of the best deals to help you visit Mecca without facing any travel issues. From arrival to departure on your Mecca journey, we will be covering every aspect. You also get the option for customisation of your Umrah package too, based on your preferences and budget.
FAQs
Mecca is the holiest city as per the Islamic belief, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and also houses the Kaaba.
Muslims pray at the Kaaba, the first house of worship to attain the blessing and strengthen their spiritual belief and bond with Allah.
The direction of prayer in Mecca is towards the direction of the Kaaba, also called the qibla.
Muslims from different corners of the world visit Mecca to perform their Hajj or Umrah ritual at least once in a lifetime.
