10 Things to Do in Jannat al-Mu'alla Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Jannat al-Mu'alla, or the ‘Garden of Mention’, is one of the most sacred sites in Islam, located in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is the second holiest site in Islam after Masjid al-Haram, and is home to the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam. Jannat al-Mu'alla is a place of immense spiritual significance, and is visited by millions of Muslims each year who come to perform the Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Makkah. Here are 10 of the best things to do when visiting Jannat al-Mu'alla in Makkah.
1. Visit the Kaaba: The Kaaba, or the ‘House of Allah’, is the most sacred site in Islam, and is located in the center of Jannat al-Mu'alla. It is a cube-shaped structure that is believed to have been built by the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, and is the focus of all Islamic prayer. Muslims from all over the world gather to perform the Tawaf, or circumambulation, of the Kaaba, and to pray at the site.
2. Visit the Maqam Ibrahim: The Maqam Ibrahim, or the ‘Station of Ibrahim’, is a stone structure located near the Kaaba, believed to be the place where the Prophet Ibrahim stood while building the Kaaba. It is believed that the footprints of the Prophet Ibrahim are still imprinted in the stone, and Muslims come to the Maqam Ibrahim to perform the Salat al-Tawaf, or prayer of circumambulation.
3. Visit the Well of Zamzam: The Well of Zamzam is located near the Kaaba, and is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail when they were searching for water in the desert. It is believed that the water from the well has special spiritual properties, and Muslims come to the well to drink the water and to perform the ritual of Istinja, or ritual cleansing.
4. Visit the Hill of Safa and Marwa: The Hill of Safa and Marwa are two hills located near the Kaaba, and are believed to be the place where the Prophet Ibrahim and his wife Hajar ran between them in search of water for their son Ismail. Muslims come to the hills to perform the ritual of Sa’y, or running between the hills, as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.
5. Visit the Jannat al-Mu'alla Cemetery: The Jannat al-Mu'alla Cemetery is located near the Kaaba, and is the final resting place of many of the Prophets and Companions of the Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that the cemetery is a place of great spiritual significance, and Muslims come to the cemetery to pay their respects to the deceased.
6. Visit the Makam al-Rasul: The Makam al-Rasul, or the ‘Station of the Prophet’, is a stone structure located near the Kaaba, and is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad stood while delivering his farewell sermon. Muslims come to the Makam al-Rasul to perform the Salat al-Tawaf, or prayer of circumambulation.
7. Visit the Jabal al-Nur: The Jabal al-Nur, or the ‘Mountain of Light’, is a mountain located near the Kaaba, and is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran. Muslims come to the mountain to perform the Salat al-Tawaf, or prayer of circumambulation.
8. Visit the Masjid al-Haram: The Masjid al-Haram, or the ‘Sacred Mosque’, is the largest mosque in the world, located in the city of Makkah. It is the holiest site in Islam, and is the focus of the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslims come to the Masjid al-Haram to perform the five daily prayers, and to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
9. Visit the Masjid al-Nabawi: The Masjid al-Nabawi, or the ‘Prophet’s Mosque’, is the second holiest site in Islam, located in the city of Madinah. It is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad, and is visited by millions of Muslims each year who come to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
10. Visit the Masjid al-Aqsa: The Masjid al-Aqsa, or the ‘Farthest Mosque’, is the third holiest site in Islam, located in the city of Jerusalem. It is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven, and is visited by millions of Muslims each year who come to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.