Holy Sites in Makkah / Medina / Mina / Arafat
Ghar-e-Hira: Ghar-e-Hira is a sacred point where the Holy Quran was began revealed on Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He used this place for his devotions and meditations. The Cave is situated on mount Al-Noor on way to Mina near Makkah and its peak is quite visible even from a great distance. In the month of Ramadan during a night when Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was just stepped in to forty-first year, the first 5 verses of the Surah Al-Alaque were revealed to him.
Ghar-e-Thawr
About eight Kilometers away from the Holy City Makkah there is a sacred place named Ghar-e-Thwar. It is situated on Thawr Mountain, 2,543 feet in height and has an area of 10 square kilometers.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Hazrat Abu Bakar used that cave to hide them migrating to Madinah, while the Makkans were searching Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Hazrat Abu Bakar, with murder in their minds.
Birth Place of Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
On Monday the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal (April 3rd, 571 AD) in Makkah Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was born. He was named Ahmed by his Mother and Muhammad (P.B.U.H) by his grand-father. The devastations of time have destroyed the original building were Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was born but the place is the same. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) belonged to the family of Hashim the noblest tribe of Quresh
Masjid Al-Jinn
Masjid Al-Jin is situated near Jannat al-Mu’allah the graveyard of Makkah. Masjid Al-Jinn is the place where number of Jin listned Holy Prophet reciting verses of Holy Quran and converted to Islam. This Mosque is also Known as Masjid Bai’et.
Arafat
Arafat is situated near Makkah. Arafat has its own importance, as it is used for prayers during hajj rituals and will be used during the day of Judgment (Qayamat).There is a hill in Arafat (hill is also called Jabal ar Rahmat), broad stone steps lead to the minaret at hill top. There is a Stage like place on 60th step from which the kutba is delivered on the Day of Arafat.
Mina
Mina is 5 Kilometers away towards east of Makkah.
Mina is used during Haj pilgrimage and has its own importance, tent cities in Mina provides safe and temporary accomodations to lacs of pilgrims. Jamarat ritual is also performed there on the last day of Hajj.
Muzdalifah
Muzdalifah lies in the southeast of Mina on the route of Mina to Arafat. Place of Muzdalifah is used on the 9th day of the Islamic month during Hajj ritual. Pilgirms moves to Muzadalfah after an afternoon prayer at Arafat.Pilgrims also collect pebbles for jamarat ritual in Mina. Pilgrims spend one night in Muzdalifah.
Jannat Ul Mua’lla
It is the cemetery of the people of Mecca, and it is on the way to Mina, The grave of Um-Al-Momeneen Bibi Khadija (the first wife of Holy Prophet) and that of,Prophets’s son Qasim, Asma Bint AbuBaker, Abu-Talib, Abdullah Bin Zubair, and other members of the Holy Prophet’s family, may Allah be pleased with them all, are located in this cemetery. This cemetery is located near the Al Haram Mosque and one can easily go there to pay homage and respect to the people buried there. There are two sections of this cemetery. One section contains old graves while the other contains new graves and these are the graves of ordinary citizens. This cemetery is also known as Al-Hajun. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to visit it frequently. It is the 2nd holiest graveyard of Islam after Jannat-ul-Baqi (Baqi Graveyard).
Masjid-e-Masha’r Al Haram
This Al Masha’r Al Haram mosque is also called Qazeh, and is the place where the Prophet (PBUH), gave his sermon, which became a must follow practice after that. The Imam of Hajj stands in the Masha’r and gives the Hajj sermon.