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The difference between Mecca and Medina is that Mecca is the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad. While in Mecca, Muslims pray around Kaaba and the city is home to a number of mosques. In comparison, Medina is an Islamic holy city. It has a mosque called Masjid al-Nabawi, which is where Prophet Muhammad lived his later life and died. It’s this mosque that’s considered one of the holiest places in Islam. The two cities are also home to Muslim pilgrims who visit as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.
What is Mecca?
Located in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam. Its name literally means “the place of Islam.” Its location on the Arabian Peninsula makes it the closest place to the Islamic holy sites of Jerusalem and Mecca. The Mecca airport in Saudi Arabia is named after the city. A map showing the location of the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca. Ian Cartwright—Getty Images Why is Mecca so special? In the religion of Islam, Mecca is considered to be the first mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad. This mosque was built near a sacred shrine, known as the Kaaba, which Muslims believe was built by Abraham. People gather at Mecca's Grand Mosque on Aug. 7, 2018. MOHAMED HUWAIS—AFP/Getty Images The Islamic holy sites in Mecca are different than the holy sites in Jerusalem.
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What is Medina?
Medina is a city in Saudi Arabia and the capital of the country’s east. The city is on the west side of the Makkah valley, the traditional site of Mecca. However, while the two are geographically close, the two are very different. Mecca is filled with tourist attractions. It is full of mosques, shopping areas, and hot tourist destinations. Mecca is also a very busy city, with lots of people arriving to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Whereas in Medina, the city is very quiet, almost sleepy. Historically, Medina is known to be the home of Islam. It is where Prophet Muhammad spent his later life and died. Medina is a place for prayer and prayer books are still available. The only difference in between Medina and Mecca is the house that Prophet Muhammad lived in.
Why do people visit these cities?
Mecca and Medina were the first Muslim cities. The prophet Muhammad was born there and he is buried there. In addition, many Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad lived a perfect life while in Mecca, meaning he never made any mistakes. In contrast, Muslims believe a prophet needs to have a “median period” of at least 10 years in order to be considered perfect. Prophet Muhammad was 45 years old when he was crowned as a prophet. Where is Mecca located? The name of Mecca is Arabic for “The House.” The city is located in Saudi Arabia. The World Heritage Site is 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) above sea level. In addition to the mosque, Mecca is home to the iconic “Chicken Street.” Why was Mecca chosen as the holy city for Muslims?
The Hajj pilgrimage
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage taken by Muslims from all over the world. It takes place during the last 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and can also be completed by non-Muslim people. It can be seen as an important religious test for Muslims, and it must be undertaken by all Muslims who can afford it. Pilgrims must be aged between 18 and 50. In the UK, you must be either a citizen or a citizen of an EU country. And it’s compulsory for Muslims from the Gulf States to complete the pilgrimage. There are currently five types of pilgrimages to Mecca for Muslims, depending on the severity of their devotion. But there are many others besides. Some pilgrimages are to visit the graves of the Prophet Muhammad.
Getting to know the differences between the two places
The daily routine of people living in Medina is vastly different from those living in Mecca. While people in Mecca are busy with the hectic pace of life, those in Medina are more focused on worship and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. While in Mecca, Muslims visit the Kaaba to pray three times a day, every day. However, Muslims in Medina visit the Kaaba just twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. While in Mecca, visitors are also permitted to take photos of Kaaba. However, there are certain rules regarding taking photos of Muslims praying in Medina. In Medina, only women are allowed to take photos of the Kaaba in Mecca. Likewise, there are restrictions regarding taking photos of men praying in Medina.
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