The honored city of Makkah Mukarramah is that in which the Prophet Muhammed SAW was born and where the Ka’bah is found. The Ka’bah is in the centre of a very large masjid called Al-masjidul-haram, The Sacred Mosque. There are many virtues of Makkah Mukarramah and the Ka’bah. These will be listed in this article.
What is the Haram?
The Haram is an area of land which extends beyond the boundaries of Makkah. Haram literally means sacred or sanctified. Therefore, this land is the most sacred or sanctified piece of land on the face of the Earth.
The Prophet SAW specified 5 points from which the Haram should be entered. These points are known as Meeqaat, and are where people going for Hajj or Umrah enter from. This is why anyone wishing to enter the Haram must be in the state of ihraam.
Importance of Performing Hajj for Muslims
Virtues of Makkah Mukarramah
- The Dajjal will not enter Makkah or Madinah
- Makkah is a city of peace
- Makkah Mukarramah will remain sacred until the last day
- One salah in Makkah is equal to 100,000 salahs outside Makkah
- It is a city beloved to Nabi SAW
- 120 mercies descend daily upon the Ka’bah. 60 for those who perform tawaaf, 40 for those who are engaged in salah, and 20 for those who are simply looking at the house of Allah.
- The Ka’bah was the first structure that was constructed for the sake of Allah’s worship
Hadith on the Virtues of Makkah Mukarramah
Abdullah ibn ‘Adi reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, while he was standing near Makkah and saying, “By Allah, you are the best and most beloved land to Allah. Had I not been driven away from you, I would not have left you.”
Tirmidhi
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) , and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem).”
Bukhari
Quran Verses on Makkah
وَهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ – And [by] this secure city [Makkah]
لَا أُقْسِمُ بِهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ – وَأَنتَ حِلٌّ بِهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ – I swear by this city, And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city
إِنَّمَا أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هَٰذِهِ الْبَلْدَةِ الَّذِي حَرَّمَهَا وَلَهُ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ – [Say, O Muhammad], ‘ I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah]
Surah Al-Balad: Translation and Tafseer
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ – Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
