The holy city for Muslims is traced at a distance of 450.4 kilometres away from Medina and 70 kilometres inland from Jeddah, at an altitude of 227 meters (909 feet) above the Red Sea in the dry sandy beds of valley Ibrahim. From the time when the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the Stamp of Prophethood, Makkah has been the religious centre (Qiblah) that Muslims turn their face to five times for their daily prayer. Nonetheless, it’s a religious duty for Muslims to visit Makkah once in their lifespan. Makkah is one of the most visited cities in the world. Millions of pilgrims come to Makkah to perform Umrah using Umrah packages. Well, if you are planning to perform umrah in the coming year, let me tell you the bookings for Umrah 2023 are open now, you can book your Umrah packages 2023 with any resilient agent in your area. Also as the new Islamic Calendar has started, Ramadan is a few months away, book Ramadan Umrah Packages so you don’t miss the opportunity of taking part in the spiritual journey in the holy month of Ramadan.
In this blog, we will highlight 11 facts about Makkah that you don’t know.
1. Bakkah: The Old Name of Makkah
The city was not always known as Makkah. Yes, the city today is legitimately known as Makkah AL-Makkarmah but formerly the name of the city was Bakkah before Allah commanded Ibrahim to move there from Palestine. However, it is suggested by some scholars that Bakkah refers only to the Kaaba and the immediate areas around it.
2. Umma AL-Qura
The city of Makkah has referred to the city as Umm-Al-Qura apart from Bakkah. Umma-Al-Qura is an Arabic word which means “Mother of All Settlements”.
3. World’s Highest Prayer Room
Makkah represents the world’s highest prayer room “Musall”. This small prayer room that lies 600 meters above sea level and is measured as the world’s highest prayer room is located in Makkah Clock Royal Tower Hotel. It can take up to six people. The room is also at a distance of 500 meters from the Kaaba, which marks it the closest prayer room in Makkah.
4. The Ancient City and origin of Islam
When it comes to the oldest cities, Makkah has to be the oldest continually inhabited city globally. The fact that the well of Zamzam alone is estimated to be 4000 years old and the city was inhabited by Prophet Ibrahim AS. Not just the city dates back to the age of Ibrahim AS but also Makkah is the origin of Islam and the birthplace of the last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
5. Makkah is beyond the boundaries of Al-Haram
The Al-Haram is a vast place but not all of Makkah falls within its boundaries of Al-Haram. Makkah is a big city and there are many neighbourhoods in the city which fall outside the Haram boundary. AL-Haram has been listed as the most expensive building in the world by British Newspaper the Telegraph.
6. Makkah was never a capital
Though Makkah is a dynamic city and holds great importance but the fact, Makkah has never been the capital of any Islamic Empire.
7. No Air Port in Makkah
It's not prohibited by Islam but outlawed by the Government because it would be very noisy since it is a mountainous region and the noise will be echoing everywhere. We see that happening every year during Hajj where emergency planes and helicopters distract everyone with their echo. Whereas some believe, due to security reasons there is no airport in Makkah.
8. Floods in Makkah
Makkah has been through devastating floods in past several times. The city centres the area of AL-Haram which is lower than most of the city. That was the reason why Makkah was prone to flash floods in the past.
9. The 3rd tallest building in Makkah
The Abraj Al-Bait is the 3rd tallest building, which holds another world record of being the most expensive building in Makkah. The Tallest Clock Tower with the largest clock face depicts a majestic view and mesmerizes the vision of the beholder.
10. Meccan Period
Although Medina is familiar as the city of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spent a major part of his life in Makkah. Yes, He ﷺ lived for 50 years in Makkah, the era he ﷺ spent in Makkah is called Meccan Period, also it was the city of Makkah where the beginning of the Quran took place, and a large part of the Quran was revealed in Makkah. The part of the Quran which revealed in Makkah is known as the Meccan chapters.
11. Immune to Dajjal
The city of Makkah is guarded by angels. Allah Apostle said, “There are angels appointed to guard the entrances of Makkah and Medina. The greatest sedition of time The-AD-Dajjal won’t be able to cross the boundaries of the Holy territories of Makkah and Medina. This practice stands up to defend the purified sanctuary of Makkah and Medina.
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