Let’s Discover Makkah!

Come and discover Makkah, the noble Kaaba and the Sacred Masjid, and why they are so special in the hearts of Muslims.

A little map around the Kaaba

Tap any place to find out what it is. This is a simple drawing for learning — it is not to real scale.

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Did you know?

Where is Makkah?

Makkah al-Mukarramah is a city in the west of Saudi Arabia. It is surrounded by mountains, and in its middle are the Sacred Masjid and the Kaaba.

Makkah is a city among mountains, and the Kaaba is there.

Did you know? The Qur'an described the valley of Makkah long ago as “uncultivated” — nothing grew there. Today it is a big city that Muslims visit from every country in the world.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ﴾

“Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House.” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: Ibrahim 14:37 (part of the verse)

For parents

Source: General geography + Surah Ibrahim 14:37

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

The Noble Kaaba

The Kaaba is a great cube-shaped House, covered with a beautiful black cloth called the Kiswah, and in one of its corners is the Black Stone. It is the qiblah of the Muslims: we face it in our prayer from everywhere in the world.

The Kaaba is the House of Allah, and we face it when we pray.

Did you know? We do not worship the Kaaba — we worship Allah alone. The Kaaba is the House of Allah that we face and walk around in obedience to Allah.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ﴾

“So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer].” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: al-Baqarah 2:144 (part of the verse)

For parents

Source: Surah al-Baqarah 2:144

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

The Sacred Masjid

The Sacred Masjid (al-Masjid al-Haram) is the big masjid that surrounds the Kaaba. Muslims gather there to pray, to walk around the Kaaba and to make du'a to Allah.

The Sacred Masjid surrounds the Kaaba.

Did you know? The Sacred Masjid has been made bigger over the years so that it can hold large numbers of visitors.

For parents

Source: General information

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

The First House for People

Allah told us in the Qur'an that the Kaaba is the first House established for people, to worship Allah there. “Blessed” means that there is much good in it.

The Kaaba is a blessed House full of good.

Did you know? “Established for mankind” means it was made for all people to come to for worship.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ﴾

“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah — blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: Al Imran 3:96

For parents

Source: Surah Al Imran 3:96

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

The Station of Ibrahim

Near the Kaaba is a place called the “Station of Ibrahim” (Maqam Ibrahim). Allah mentioned it in the Qur'an, and after tawaf we pray two rak'ahs near it if we can.

After tawaf we pray two rak'ahs near the Station of Ibrahim.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى﴾

“And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer.” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: al-Baqarah 2:125 (part of the verse)

For parents

Praying at the Maqam is a Sunnah; when it is crowded, the two rak'ahs can be prayed anywhere in the masjid.

Source: Surah al-Baqarah 2:125 and Al Imran 3:97

Learn more: the adult guide to this step

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

Safa and Marwah

Two small hills near the Kaaba. The person doing Umrah walks between them seven times, and in this way we remember a mother who searched for water for her baby.

Safa and Marwah are two hills we walk between in Umrah.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ﴾

“Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: al-Baqarah 2:158 (part of the verse)

For parents

Source: Surah al-Baqarah 2:158

Learn more: the adult guide to this step

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

The Well of Zamzam

Zamzam is blessed water that came out in the valley of Makkah by Allah’s permission, and people still drink from it today. Read the story of Zamzam to find out how it began!

Zamzam is blessed water near the Kaaba.

From the authentic Sunnah

The Prophet ﷺ explained that Zamzam water is blessed, and that it is food that satisfies. (meaning only)

Source: Sahih Muslim, hadith 2473

For parents

Source: Sahih Muslim 2473

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

A Safe Land

Makkah is a safe land. In the Haram we are kind to people, we do not hurt anyone, and we are gentle with animals and trees.

In Makkah we are kind to everyone.

From the Holy Qur'an

﴿وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا﴾

“And whoever enters it shall be safe.” — Saheeh International, translation of the meaning

Source: Al Imran 3:97 (part of the verse)

For parents

Among the rulings of the Haram: its game is not to be disturbed and its trees are not to be cut. Explain this to the child according to their age.

Source: Surah Al Imran 3:97

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

What Do People Do in Makkah?

Muslims come to Makkah to perform Umrah and Hajj: they walk around the Kaaba, walk between Safa and Marwah, and make du'a to Allah. Would you like to learn how?

We walk around the Kaaba, walk between the hills, and remember Allah.

For parents

Source: Simplified from the Umrah and Hajj guide

Preview version awaiting scholarly review

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