Places of Pilgrimage

There are 3 main places of pilgrimage for a Muslim.

The most important is the holy city of Mekkah where the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived. This city is a closed city for Muslims and the place where the holy pilgrimage, the Hajj, takes places. The other two main places of pilgrimage are Medina and Jerusalem. Both these places are connected with the life of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Mekkah

"From whencesoever you start forth, turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from your Lord."

Surah 2:149

The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka'ba in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone. The Prophet Muhammad designated Mekkah as the holy city of Islam and the direction (qibla) in which all Muslims should offer their prayers.

The Ka'ba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly. Mekkah is located in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia. The city lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jiddah, in the narrow, sandy Valley of Abraham. The Holy City is 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level.

Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world join in a pilgrimage to Mekkah (the hajj), in fulfillment of one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The importance of Mekkah for Muslims is inestimable. All Muslims, wherever they are on Earth, pray five times a day in the direction of the Ka'ba in Mekkah. The direction of prayer is known as the qibla.

Medina

Muhammad (pbuh) moved his ministry to Medina soon after his revelations began in 610 CE. The principle revelations were conveyed to Muhammad (pbuh) through the angel Gabriel. These visions continued with him until his death in MEdian in 632. By that time Islam had swept aside all other religions on the Arabian peninsular. In the 100 years after the prophet's death the Arabs ruled a vast empire stretching from Spain to India and north into Russia. Medina became the centre for the expanding empire. As the adopted capital and city where Allah's word spread through Muhammad (pbuh) Medina is second only to Mekkah as a pilgrimage city. Muhammad (pbuh) is buried in Medina's mosque of the prophet.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem (al-Quds) is considered the third Holiest City in Islam. Allah himself blessed the city in the Qur'an and appointed her as the first qibla of Islam, meaning that it was Jerusalem, and not Mecca, that served as the spiritual as well as geographical focus for Muslims' prayers during the early years of Islam. It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad said, "There are only three mosques to which you should embark on a journey: the sacred mosque (Mecca, Saudi Arabia), this mosque of mine (Madinah, Saudi Arabia), and the mosque of Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem)." It is Jerusalem that Muhammad (pbuh) visited during his night journey and ascension (called "Israa and Miraaj"). In one evening, the angel Gabriel miraculously took the Prophet from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to the Furthest Mosque (Al-Aqsa) in Jerusalem. He was then taken up to the heavens to be shown the signs of God. The Prophet met with previous prophets and led them in prayer. He was then taken back to Mecca. The whole experience (which Muslim commentators take literally and Muslims believe as a miracle) lasted a few hours of a night. The event of Israa and Miraaj is mentioned in the Qur’an, in the first verse of Chapter 17 entitled 'The Children of Israel.’

"Glory to Allah, Who did take His servant for a journey by night, from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless - in order that We might show him some of Our signs. For He is the One who hears and knows all things."

Surah 17:1

This night journey further reinforced the link between Mecca and Jerusalem as holy cities, and serves as an example of every Muslim's deep devotion and spiritual connection with Jerusalem.