So now you're taking a trip to Makka. You're filled with anticipation and excitement. You're ready to visit the city of the Prophet, to see where he lived, and where he was buried. But before you head on your journey, there are a few things you need to do. Here are 10 things you must do when you visit Makka
Makka is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad
If you're a devout Muslim, this is a must see destination. The prophet lived in Makka for 40 years, and when he passed away, it became the final resting place for him and his family. 1. Visit the Prophet's Mosque The Prophet's Mosque in Makka is considered to be the biggest Mosque in the world. It holds over 1.5 million pilgrims every year. The Mosque is situated at the center of Makka, right behind the Prophet's Mosque. 2. The Prophet's Tomb His tomb is located just at the corner of the Mosque. The area is extremely peaceful and serene. 3. Makka Souq Located next to the Prophet's Tomb, the Makka Souq is one of the most important and historical places in Makka. It is the biggest open market in the Middle East, and the second largest in the world. 4.
Greet the Ka'aba or pray
This is one of the first things that you must do when you visit Makka. It is where the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, stood when he said, "O Allah, I have no pride in being Your apostle. I have no trust in my religion or my religion's prophets. I have no love for You. Guide me to the right path, O Allah." As you approach the Ka'aba, make sure that you greet the Ka'aba in the same manner. And you should be standing at a distance from the Ka'aba. Say 'I Wish You' Say 'I Wish You' whenever you're in Makka. Not saying this won't help you because this is the name of the prayer you perform when you wish someone well. Just pay close attention to the direction of the Ka'aba when you say this prayer. Be PATIENT You'll soon realise that Makka is a very busy place.
Make an intention to read the Quran
Allah's Messenger, Muhammad, said: "Oh people, recite Quran daily. I should be the last of those who recite the Quran daily." (Al-Bukhari) After this, the Prophet, may peace be upon him, said: "Whoever believes in the oneness of Allah and the Day of Judgement then has recited the Quran as much as I did in my life." (Ahmad, Hindi and Hadith) Read the Prophet's life and personality There are a lot of books available that talk about the life of the Prophet. This book is one of them. It is called 'One Night in Makka: A Personal Journeys'. It is said that this book has been written on the basis of information that was recorded by several people during the Prophet's lifetime. Some of the narrations it uses are from Abu Huraira and Abu Dhar.
Give your soul peace by visiting the place where the Prophet was buried
Even if you know how the city of Makka looked like before, you'll be amazed to see how the city has been rebuilt. Once you make your way through the old city, don't forget to visit the place where the Prophet was buried. To see this place, you'll have to climb up to the top of the mountain. But be sure to come prepared. Your dress, shoes, and luggage should be suitable for this kind of journey. Visit the Hanging Church Now you have finally reached the main part of the city. There are a few points of interest to visit. One of them is the Hanging Church, where there are supposed to be relics. But for now, you'll have to just admire the church from afar. Visit the "Pillars of Islam" One of the pillars of Islam.
Recite the Fatihah
The Fatihah is the first thing you do in Makka. It's a short rak`ah that you recite in the middle of Makka, before you can actually enter the city. You should do this every time you visit Makka. Visit the Mosque of the Prophet This is what it looks like. So where is the Mosque? The Prophet 's Mosque is located in the old city of Makka. It was built in 664 AD, and houses the tomb of the Prophet 's son, Abu Talib. This site is the first time people have entered the city since the Prophet 's time. The city of Makka is full of history. As you can see from this picture, it's very old. All around the mosque are remnants of the old city, and it's a pleasure to explore. Behold the Zabtin While you're in Makka, take the time to walk through the city.
Remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
Make a pilgrimage to a Ka'ba (Sawab) in Makka and pray to Allah. Say a special prayer for your brother or sister that has left this world, or pray for your relative that is in Makka right now. Read Qur'aan This is the most significant part of your visit. Begin reading Qur'aan from the first few Surahs. Take care, the journey to Makka is going to be long, and your journey is just beginning. 1 – Surah Tauba, 2 – Surah Al-Fatihah, 3 – Surah Al-Baqara, 4 – Surah Al-Bukhaari, 5 – Surah Al-Nahl, 6 – Surah An-Nisa, 7 – Surah Al-Imran, 8 – Surah Quraan, 9 – Surah Al-Jumu'ah, 10 – Surah Surah Aalam. Visit Mawlid After the first 10 days, visit the mawlid that took place in Makka. This year, that mawlid is on Feb 28. Visit that big space in Makka that is rented by merchants.
Make a Dua
There are so many things to do in Makka. That's one of the things that makes it so fun. You can explore the old souk, and shop for beautiful things. But there's also a more intimate side to Makka. And one of the best things to do when you're in Makka is to make a Dua. A Dua is a general intercessor prayer. It is often prayed by an individual who is facing a particular issue, or it can be intercessory for many people. When you make a Dua for your loved ones, or anyone in your family who needs intercession, it means you will have someone in heaven interceding for them. It's a very powerful prayer. Once you've made your Dua, and finished off reading about the Prophet, you need to recite it.
Take a selfie with the Ka'aba
For the sake of historical records, the image of the Ka'aba has been painted in Saudi Arabia, with detailed impressions of it in Mecca, on the walls of the Jeddah Hospital. Also, most of the Arab people who visited Makka after the Prophet's time usually have their own pictures with the Ka'aba, because the Ka'aba is the symbol of their faith. Visit the Saudi souks The streets and marketplaces of Makka were bustling and noisy in the Prophet's time. Today, they are much quieter than back then, but it is still a good idea to see some of the souks that surround Makka and go into the courtyards. Visit a Bedouin tent The Bedouin tents are located on Al-Aram Park, just behind Makka's medina.
Tawaf
As soon as you land at Abu Dhabi, you should head straight to the Haram to perform tawaf. Tawaf is a solemn movement around the Ka'aba, the most holy site in Islam. It is a time of repentance, forgiveness and worship. Make sure to stand at the feet of Shaykh Salih Al Sharif. Worship At The Mosque It is not necessary to perform tawaf unless you want to. But if you wish to visit the Mosque, and give your respects to the Prophet (peace be upon him), you should head straight to the Qibla . The Ka'aba is in the eastern direction of the Qibla. Visit The Tomb Before the Qibla, you should visit the Prophet's tomb. This is one of the most sacred places in Makka. It is where he was buried, where he was brought from Yemen and where he built the Ka'aba.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 10 things you must do when you visit Makka. Remember, this is by no means an exhaustive list, there are probably many more things that you could be doing. This list is aimed at providing a basic guide for those who are interested in visiting Makka, and living out the simple teachings of Islam. If you have further suggestions, please do share them with us in the comment section below.
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