By Muhammad Haji
Mecca is located in the Hijaz area of western Saudi Arabia. The most blessed place in Islam is the Ka’bah. The Ka’bah is a mosque which is built by prophet Ibrahim and constructed around a black stone. Prophet Muhammad specified Mecca 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 touched the earth directly. The outdoor and indoor praying spaces in Masjid al-Haram can accommodate up to two million worshippers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower or the lighthouse of pilgrims is one of the high towers of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project of the Two Holy Mosques. It is the largest tower in the world. On its lower floor is a shopping mall that features different shops and international brands, in addition to a variety of restaurants featuring different cuisines and shops that offer all the necessities of visitors.
The Mountain of Noor
This mountain is located northeast of Mecca. In the mountain is the cave of Hira, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to spend long periods worshiping before his mission. The mountain was named Noor which refers to the light of da’wah that emerges from it and lights the horizon. During period of umrah and hajj there are many pilgrims visiting this mountain. When climbing up to the cave, you can view parts of the Al-Masjid Al-Haram. I climb the mountain once a year just to see the view, beauty of Mecca and the cave of Hira. It takes one hour or one and a half hours to reach up there. It needs energy to climb this mountain. Pilgrims want to reach up there to see the place (cave of Hira) when angel Jibreel revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a verse from the Quran.
The Mountain of Thour
It is located to the south of Mecca and it contains the cave where Prophet Mohammad, (peace upon him) and his companion Abu-Bakr took refuge from the disbelievers during the migration to Madinah. When the two were in the cave, Quraish was looking for both of them. He said to his companion, do not sorrow, Allah is with us.
The Mountain of Mercy
It is located to the east of Makkah in the Arafat area. This is the mountain on which the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stood and delivered his famous farewell sermon (Khotbat Al-Wada’a) during Hajjat Al-Wada, prophet’s last pilgrimage. During hajj many pilgrims will be on this mountain which is day of Arafat before they move to muzdalifah.
Arafat, Muzdalifah and Muna
These places will be full of pilgrims during hajj period. Day of Arfat takes place on 9th of month Duh al-hijjah, pilgrims form all around the world will move to Araft, pilgrims obey Allah and spend their time with diversity of obligation such as, reading Quran, zikir and prayers. Muzdalifah is the next station pilgrims will collect stones and then move to last station which is Mina. Sometimes I have a picnic with my family in these places after hajj period. Many of people spend their weekend there because these places are huge and wide.
My life in Mecca
Mecca is the first place for me. I spent the whole of my life with my family in Mecca. I was born and grew up there. I started my primary school when I was 7 years old and spent six years. I continued in secondary school where I spent three years as well as another three years in high school.
I studied all in Arabic language. My first language is Arabic, then followed by English and Malay. I learned some basics of English language during my secondary and high school days. We speak English only during class. At home I speak Arabic and Pattani, almost similar to Kelantan Malay, with my family, but Arabic most of the time.
I am never free during Ramadhan and hajj periods. During Ramadhan I used to work with organisation of wanderer guidance in Masjid al-Haram and preparing for iftar as well. For hajj I used to be a chief assistant with Malaysian pilgrims in Mina and a guide on buses because drivers don’t know the streets in Mecca. Every bus should be guided. Masjid al-Haram is not far from my home. It takes only 15 to 20 minutes from my home.
Mecca is the best place in the world. Many Muslims all over the world wish to be there to perform the hajj and umrah.***
Photo of NoboFeed