Welcome to the Guests of Allah
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WELCOME TO THE GUESTS OF ALLAH MAKKAH CITY GUIDE SaudiaUmrah.com 1 INTRODUCTION USEFUL INFORMATION Makkah Al Mukaramah is Muslims’ Qibla (Praying Direction) and the heart of the Islamic world, the cradle of revelation and the holiest city in Islam. The city is the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed “Peace be upon him” and it is here within the Great Mosque that the Ka’aba, the most sacred shrine of Islam, awaits the Muslim pilgrim in Where GMT/UTC Number of guests Hajj & Umrah. South East + 3h Million Discover Makkah Al Mukaramah, the most sacred land Asia yearly on earth and learn more about the religious and historical 15 places you must visit during your Umrah. WEATHER Average temperature during the year 30 38 43 40 Jan Apr Jul Oct 18 24 28 25 31 42 42 35 Feb May Aug Nov 18 27 29 22 34 44 42 31 Mar Jun Sep Dec 20 28 28 20 Maximum Minimum 2 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 3 1. Jabal Al Nour (The Mountain of Light) The mountain houses the famed Ghar Hira HISTORICAL PLACES or Hira cave. The mountain is barely 640 m tall. It does however, take two hours to TO VISIT make it to the cave. The mount and the cave hold tremendous signicance for Muslims throughout the world. 2. Ghar Hira (Hira Cave) Taking 1,200 walking steps to reach, the cave itself is about 3.7 m in length and 1.6 m in width. The cave is situated at a height of 270 m of Jabal Al Nour Mountain. During Hajj season an estimated of ve thousand pilgrims climb to the Cave of Hira daily to see the place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the rst revelation of Quran. 3. Mount Arafat Mount Arafat reaches about 70 m in height and is also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. 4. Ghar Al Thawr (Cave of the Bull) Ghar Al Thawr is located in Al Thawr mountin. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companion Abu Bakr (RA) took refuge from the Quraish, during the migration to Al Madinah Al Munawarah. 5. Masjid Aisha (RA) Masjid Aisha, also known as Masjid at- Tan’eem marks the place where Ummul- Mu’mineen Aisha (RA) went to enter into Ihram for Umrah when the Prophet (PBUH) told her to do so during the farewell Hajj. 4 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 5 6. Bay’ah Mosque 11. Al Saggaf Palace Also known as the Mosque of ‘Aqaba Hill. It One of the largest historical palaces in the was built at the request of Caliph Abu Ja’far country, the Saggaf Palace is a testament al-Mansur in 2/761 at the site of al-Bay’ah, i.e. to the glorious past of Makkah. The palace is the place where the Prophet Muhammad currently fenced off and in a dilapidated met with the Ansar (the supporters), and condition, but onlookers can grasp glimpses they took the pledge (‘Bay’ah’, hence the of the former glory its ruins evoke. name). 12. Abraj Al Bait 7. Hudaibiyah Mosque Also known as, Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower, it is a ver-star hotel located next This is the place where the historic treaty to the Masjid Al Haram, closest hotel to The of Hudaibiyah was signed by the Prophet Holy Kaaba and the best for Umrah and Hajj. (PBUH). It sits close to the Haram boundary. It is one of the world’s tallest buildings with Today, a mosque marks the site, adjacent to 120 floors and 1542 guest rooms suites and which is an undated crumbling structure. Residences, 9 state-of-the-art restaurants, 56 elevators that allow easy access to and from Al Masjid Al Haram. 8. Aisha Al Rajhi Mosque 13. Makkah Library This library sited on the place where the Can accommodate more than 47 thousand Prophet (PBUH) was born on Monday 12 worshipers, which was built by businessman Rabi’ Al-Awwal (April 571 ,22 CE), in the Year Sheikh Sulaiman Al Rajhi stood from his of the Elephant mother. Area of the mosque is estimated at 60,846 square meters. 9. Makkah Museum 14. Kiswa Factory Highlights the cultural and historical Kiswa factory is where visitors can get to dimensions of Makkah region, and to inform see the Kiswa of The Holy Kaaba being and educate the community. It offers details made right in front of them. The factory has between the civilizations and the history been making the kiswa of The Holy Kaaba of Makkah since the dawn of history until since 1927 AD and has gone through many the prosperous present. This Museum was upgrades and renovation works over the established in Al-Zahir Palace.Museum was years. To visit the factory you will need a established in Al-Zahir Palace. permit beforehand. 10. Assalamu Alaika Ayyuha Annabi 15. Two Holy Mosques Architecture Museum Exhibition Is dedicated to the life of Prophet It holds a magnicent array of items that Muhammad (PBUH) and highlights the were part of the two Holy Harams in Makkah various key moments in the Prophet’s life. It and Madinah at one time, dating as far back also shows glimpses from the daily life of the as the 10th century (AH). Some of the main Prophet (PBUH). pieces are the doors of The Holy Kaaba and the Holy Mosques. 6 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 7 16. Makkah Gate 20. Muzdalifah A landmark on the Makkah Mukkarram Is an open area near Makkah Al Mukaramah road of the Jeddah-Makkah Highway. It is associated with the Hajj. It is located between the entrance to Makkah Al Mukarama. The Mina and Arafat. And the pilgrims spend the gate signies the boundary of the haram area night in it after their departure from Arafat, of the city of Makkah, where non-Muslims then they perform the Maghrib and Isha are prohibited to enter. The structure is that prayers on Friday and collect pebbles in it to of a book, representing the Qur’an, sitting throw stones at Mina, and the pilgrims stay on a rehal, or book stand. in it until the next morning on the day of Eid al-Adha, and then they leave to Mina. 21. Rami al-Jamarat 17. Namra Mosque Rami al-Jamarat Stoning of the Devil is part In the second century of Islam, Masjid of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Nimrah was built at the spot where the Makkah Al Mukaramah. During the ritual, Prophet (PBUH) delivered his famous Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles at three sermon at Waadi Urana, after which he led walls (formerly pillars), called Jamarat, the the salah. first of which is the Jamrat Al-Aqabah, the pilgrim throws it in the Ihram clothing on the Day of Sacrifice, and the three days of Al-Tashreeq, when the pilgrim throws them after the first exhumation of Ihram. 22. Al-Safa and Al-Marwah 18. Jannat al-Mu’alla Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are two small hills Also known as the Cemetery of Ma’la and located in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah Al Al-Hajun, is a cemetery to the north of the Mukaramah, between which pilgrims travel Masjid al-Haram. It is the place where The back and forth seven times during the Hajj Prophet’s wife, grandfather, and other and Umrah. ancestors are buried. 23. Makkah Mall 19. Mina Dedicated to create a vibrant and Also known as the Tent City. It is situated 5 unique upscale shopping, dining and kilometres to the east of Makkah Al Mukarama. entertainment environment for the whole It covers an area of approximately 20 km². family. Mina is best known for the role it plays during the Hajj. More than 100,000 air-conditioned tents that can house more than 3 million people provide temporary accommodation to visiting pilgrims. 8 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 9 FACILITIES HEALTH TIPS PILGRIMS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FOR MADINAH GUESTS Transport in the Kingdom: Buses are not equipped to handle Taking care of the cleanliness of food and drink, and carefully wheel-chairs. Disabled pilgrims must ensure that they or their washing vegetables and fruits. carers have made arrangements with private taxi rms for transportation in the Kingdom, either through your travel agent or though your service provider in the Kingdom. Avoiding exposure to the sun for long periods, and staying away from crowded places as much as possible. In general, hotels are not equipped for the disabled, with the exception of some of the top hotels. Again, it is crucial that you Getting enough rest and sleep. check with the hotel before booking, to explain your needs and to ensure they can be met. Wearing light cotton clothes which are loose and light colored. The Grand Mosque is well-equipped for the disabled. It has escalators and ramps to enable wheelchairs to move easily from one level to another. Wheel-chairs are provided free of charge in Having plenty of uids on hot days, especially on the Day of the Grand Mosque but, if you need assistance in pushing your ‘Arafah. wheel-chair, the pusher will charge for providing this service. Reducing physical exertion by avoiding activities like walking in the market, especially during the times of intense heat. Consulting a doctor as soon as one feels any discomfort or illness. 10 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 11 SERVICES AROUND THE HOLY CITY 12 SaudiaUmrah.com SaudiaUmrah.com 13 HOSPITAL HOTEL RENTAL RESTAURANTS 1.