- Address: Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia
- Website: gph.gov.sa
- First mention: 638
- Architectural style: Islamic architecture
- Total area: 357,000 sq. M. m
- Number of minarets: 9
- Height of minarets: 89 m
- Capacity: up to 4 million people.
In Saudi Arabia , in the sacred city of Mecca , is the main shrine of Muslims - Masjid Al-Haram Mosque. Every year during the hajj, millions of pilgrims from all over the world visit it.
The history of the appearance of the sacred mosque Al-Haram
In Saudi Arabia , in the sacred city of Mecca , is the main shrine of Muslims - Masjid Al-Haram Mosque. Every year during the hajj, millions of pilgrims from all over the world visit it.
The history of the appearance of the sacred mosque Al-Haram
Great, forbidden, reserved - that is the name of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, and the main shrine of Islam - the relic of the Kaaba - is kept here. According to the scriptures of the Koran, in this place Abraham established the Kaaba by the command of Allah. The Prophet, submitting to the revelation, spoke about this holy Islamic site, to which every Muslim should make a pilgrimage at least once in his life. In 638, the first construction of the temple began around the Kaaba, but became famous after 1570. The eastern corner of the Kaaba was crowned with a black stone bordered with a silver rim. The Muslim legend says that this stone was presented by God to Adam as a sign of repentance in sins.
The sacred Kaaba and the rite of tawaf
The Kaaba is the shrine of the Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, it is represented in the form of a cube. In Arabic, the word "Kaaba" means "a high place, surrounded by respect and honor." The corners of the shrine are directed to different directions of the world, each has its own name:
- the southern corner is Yemeni;
- northern - Iraqi;
- east - stone;
- western - Levantine.
The eastern corner is decorated with a "stone of forgiveness", to which one must touch for the atonement of sins. The height of the cubic building is 13.1 m, width - 12.86 m, length - 11.03. Pilgrims arriving at the Al-Haram mosque, pass the tawaf rite. For its execution, it is necessary to bypass the Kaaba counter-clockwise 7 times. The first 3 circles pass at a very fast pace. When performing the ritual, pilgrims perform various rituals, such as praying, bowing, kissing, touching, etc. After the pilgrim can approach the Kaaba and ask for the forgiveness of sins.
Architectural masterpiece of Saudi Arabia
Originally the Masjid Al-Haram Mosque was an open space with the Ka'ba in the center, surrounded by wooden columns. Today it is a huge complex with an area of 357 thousand square meters. m. in which there are buildings for different purposes: buildings for prayers, minarets, rooms for ablutions. There are 4 main entrances and 44 additional ones in the mosque. In addition, after the reconstruction in 2012, the mosque has many technological benefits. For the convenience of pilgrims, escalators, air conditioners, electronic signposts and unique electric consecration work.
The main feature are the minarets. Initially there were six, but after the construction of the Istanbul Blue Mosque , which has the same number of minarets, it was decided to finish a few more. Today the reserve mosque in Mecca has 9 minarets. Consider the architectural complex of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca in the photo below.
Why is the al-Haram mosque called the taboo?
In Arabic, the word "haram" has several meanings: "inviolable", "forbidden", "sacred place" and "shrine". From the very beginning, in the area around the mosque were under the strictest prohibition of killing, fighting, etc. Today, the forbidden territory covers another 15 km from the walls of Al-Haram, and in this area to conduct battles, to kill people or animals is prohibited. In addition, only Muslims can step into this territory, and therefore representatives of another faith treat the expression "forbidden mosque" in this way: it is forbidden to appear to the Gentiles.
Interesting facts about Masjid Al-Haram
The Kaaba Mosque in Mecca is mentioned many times in the Qur'an. Shrines and relics make it unique in the Islamic religion. This interest is confirmed by several facts:
- The Prophet Muhammad. The founder of Islam was born in 570 here, in Mecca.
- The largest mosque in the world is, of course, Al-Haram.
- Black stone. Initially, it was white, blackened from the sins and filth of mankind, and after being touched by the cane of the Prophet Muhammad, it became a shrine.
- Kaaba. Fully covered with silk black veil (kisvoy). The upper part is decorated with embroidered gold letters from the Koran. The door to the Kaaba weighing 286 kg is made of 999 gold.
- Shrines. The Al-Haram Mosque, except for the Kaaba, has 2 other shrines in its walls: the well of Zamzam and Makam of Ibrahim.
- The Bani-Shaibach family. The Prophet Muhammad chose descendants of this kind for the protection of sacred objects. To this day, this tradition continues. The members of the Bani-Shaibah family are the only keeper of the keys from the Kaaba's doors. They also spend 2 times a year bathing the Kaaba: in front of Ramadan and 2 weeks before the Hajj.
- Qibla. All Muslims pray, turning their faces to Mecca, more precisely, to the Kaaba, stored in it. This Muslim tradition is called "kiblah", i.e. direction for prayer.
- Pilgrims. During the pilgrimage 3 floors are not enough for everyone who wants to pray to Allah. Many Muslims are housed on rooftops and in prayer halls.
- Skyscraper Abraj Al-Beit . Thanks to the popularity of Al-Haram around it, the infrastructure has improved. Right in front of the mosque was built the largest in Saudi Arabia skyscraper Abraj al-Bayt, one of the towers of which is a hotel . From its windows, guests can admire the greatness of the Islamic religion.
Where is the Al-Haram Mosque?
To see the sacred mosque of Saudi Arabia, you need to go to the western part of the country to the city of Mecca. It is located 100 km from the Red Sea. For the pilgrims built a special railway, and thanks to this, from Jeddah to Mecca can be reached by a separate railway line.
Features of visiting the mosque
The Al-Haram Mosque is the most important part of the Islamic heritage. According to the laws of Saudi Arabia, entry to the territory of the city by those who do not profess Islam is forbidden, and not every tourist can appreciate the beauty of internal and external decoration of Al-Haram. For Muslims, the entrance to the mosque is always open, at any time of the day or night.
How to get to Al-Haram?
You can reach the place by car:
- from the airport it is better to take a taxi, which will cost about $ 5;
- on a rented car should go on the road number 15 King Abdul Aziz Rd or King Fahd Rd.