Nestled at the bottom of the Hejaz Mountains on the Tihamah plain, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, commonly known as Makkah, is the holiest city in Islam. Located on the western side of Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea, this city has a profound historical and spiritual significance.
The Birthplace of Islam
In the 7th century CE, central Arabia, previously known for its harsh climate, became the epicenter of a transformative event that would shape the world. In an oasis named Makkah, situated on a secondary caravan trade route, a new religion was born. In 610 CE, a merchant named Muhammad began receiving divine revelations, leading to the creation of the Quran and the birth of Islam. Today, Islam is followed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide.
The Honored City
Makkah’s unique role in Islam is reflected in its full name, “Makkah Al-Mukarramah,” which means “Makkah the Honored” or “the Holy City of Makkah.” This name underscores its revered status among Muslims.
Historical Significance
The ancient name for Makkah is Bakkah, a term often used by Muslim scholars to refer to the sacred area surrounding the Ka’aba. The Quran mentions both names, Bakkah and Makkah:
“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds” (Surat Ali 'Imran, 3:96).
“And it is He who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within [the area of] Makkah after He caused you to overcome them. And ever is Allah of what you do, Seeing” (Surat Al-Fath, 48:24).
The Ka’aba: The Heart of Makkah
The most sacred site in Makkah is the Ka’aba, a cube-shaped structure at the center of Islam’s holiest mosque, Al-Masjid Al-Haram. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael built the Ka’aba as a place of pilgrimage. This is reflected in the Quran:
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], 'Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate / And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass” (Surat Al-Hajj, 22:26-27).
A Place of Worship and Pilgrimage
Historically, Makkah was already a renowned place of worship and pilgrimage in the Arabian Peninsula, famous for its Ka’aba, which housed idols and a sacred stone, possibly a meteorite, that remains a cornerstone of the sanctuary today.
The Year of the Elephant
One of the earliest significant events in Makkah’s history is the military expedition led by King Abraha of Himyar (modern-day Yemen) in 570 CE. Abraha aimed to seize Makkah, a competitor to Sana’a as a worship place. This campaign is famous for the war elephants in Abraha’s army, which left a lasting impression on the people along their route, known as the “Darb Al-Fil” or the road of the elephant.
Despite the invaders’ superiority, the people of Makkah successfully defended their city, reinforcing its status as a place protected by God. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad was born in the same year, and his grandfather participated in the battle to defend the city. The miraculous nature of this victory is mentioned in the Quran in the surah “Al-Fil” (the elephant).
The Rise of Islam
In 610 CE, a merchant from the powerful Quraysh tribe named Muhammad began to receive divine revelations from Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Twelve years later, he and his companions were expelled from Makkah and found refuge in Madinah after an initial attempt in Taif. In 630 CE, Muhammad and his followers, having gained considerable power, marched into Makkah, which surrendered to the Muslim army. The city then became the center of the new religion that would spread worldwide.
Post-Prophet Era
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 634 CE, Makkah remained the political center of Islam for only a few decades. Ali, the fourth Caliph, chose Kufa (in present-day Iraq) as his capital in 656 CE. Subsequently, the Umayyad Caliphate moved the capital to Damascus in Syria, and the Abbasid Caliphate to Baghdad in modern-day Iraq.
Ottoman and Saudi Control
In 1517, when the Ottomans conquered the Hejaz, the Sharif of Makkah, Barakat bin Muhammad, acknowledged the supremacy of the Ottoman Caliph. In 1803, the city was integrated into the first Saudi state until 1813, when Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt successfully returned Makkah to Ottoman control.
In 1916, the Hashemites, a tribe originating from the same family as the Prophet Muhammad, launched a revolt against the Ottoman Empire in Makkah in June and took Ta’if in September. Thus, Makkah Al-Mukarramah became part of the self-proclaimed Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz. However, the city was retaken just 10 years later by the Ikhwans allied with the House of Saud, and in 1926, Abdulaziz Al-Saud was officially recognized as the new king of Hejaz.
Modern Era
Today, the King of Saudi Arabia holds the title of “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” referring to the responsibility of guarding and maintaining the two holiest mosques in Islam, Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) in Madinah. The Masjid Al-Haram, which surrounds the Ka’aba, is the largest mosque in the world and annually attracts millions of pilgrims from around the globe.
The Unique Character of Makkah Al-Mukarramah
Makkah is considered by Saudi authorities as a place where religion is paramount, leaving little room for historical preservation. Consequently, 95% of the city’s historical sites have been destroyed in recent decades, including the house of the Prophet Muhammad, mosques from his time, and cemeteries where his relatives and companions were buried. For example, the historical Ajyad Fortress of the Ottoman Empire and its hill were razed in 2002 to build the Abraj Al-Bait hotel complex.
Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holiest part of the city, known as the Haram. Signs at the city’s entrance direct non-Muslim travelers to bypass the Haram. The city’s total dedication to Islam is evident in all aspects, including its infrastructure, such as the Quran Gate.
Makkah is not a typical tourist destination but is fully dedicated to Islamic faith and the Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj). Its spiritual significance and historical legacy make it a unique and revered city in the hearts of Muslims worldwide.
