Holy site

Allah singled out Makkah and honored it over all parts of the world. One of the greatest signs is that it is His sanctuary.

What is the meaning of “Haram” (Sanctuary)?

• It is a place in which certain things, allowed elsewhere, are prohibited out of veneration and reverence for the One Who prohibited it. Allah the Exalted said: "And who observes the sanctity of the sites ordained by Allah, it will be good for him in the sight of his Lord.”
• Allah has chosen this land and made it sacred, forbidding in it what He permitted in other places, and singling it out with virtues and merits that are not found in any other place. Its sanctity and stature date back to the very first beginning of the entire universe.
• Allah has made this land into a Sanctity and assigned to it a very special rank on the day this universe was created. It will remain so until the end of time. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "Allah has made this town a sanctuary from the day

Honorable Makkah is the best place on earth and the most beloved place to Allah and His Messenger.

• Allah chose it for the rituals of Hajj and made visiting it an act of worship by which ranks are raised and bad deeds are erased. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "By Allah, you are the best part of Allah’s earth and the part dearest to Him".
• It is the place where the first House on earth for the worship of Allah alone was established. Allah the Exalted said: {The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah (Makkah): a blessed place, guidance for all worlds (of people and jinn)}.
• Makkah attained that privilege and position in the first moments of creating the universe. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "Allah made this town sacred on the day He created the heavens and the earth, so it is sacred by the sanctity conferred on it by Allah till the day of resurrection".
• Muslims from all parts of the world turn toward

Ka'bah Courtyard: Ka'bah courtyard or Mataf: It is the courtyard tiled with white marble that surrounds the honorable Ka'bah. Currently, it is called the "courtyard," in which Muslims walk around the Kab'ah. It is also called Mataf (circumambulation area), which refers to the act of going around the Ka'bah.

The Abbasid Corridor: The Abbasid corridor dates back to the reign of the Abbasid Caliph Muhammad al-Mahdi. This corridor has undergone many innovations down the ages and during the Saudi expansions of the Grand Mosque of Makkah.

Saudi Expansions: Saudi leaders have prioritized improving and expanding the Grand Mosque of Makkah to keep pace with the increasing number of Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrims. During the reign of King Saud, the first expansions of the Grand Mosque were commenced in 1375 AH. The Grand Mosque was further expanded in 1409 and in 1428AH.

Outer Courtyards: In the second Saudi expansion, large courtyards surrounding the Grand Mosque were created and prepared for prayer, especially during the crowded seasons. They were tiled with heat-resisting marble.

Roof of the Grand Mosque: The second Saudi expansion exploited the roof of the Grand Mosque.

The Grand Mosque of Makkah is surrounded by courtyards designed to facilitate the entry of Hajj and 'Umrah pilgrims and worshipers into the Mosque. They are also designed as prayer floors since they get filled with worshipers on Fridays and during Hajj and 'Umrah seasons.

Key Tasks of Haram Courtyards Management:

• Facilitating the entry of worshippers into the Grand Mosque.
• Opening passages from the courtyards to the Grand Mosque gates.
• Providing assistance to drifters, the elderly and the disabled.
• Banning people from trading and begging in the courtyards.

Key services in the Haram courtyards:

• Safe Lockers
• Zamzam water
• Mist fans to cool the air
• Toilets and ablution areas
• Regular cleaning of the courtyards

In the Haram courtyards, avoid:

• Leaving your belongings in the courtyards. You can have your belongings kept in a safe locker.
• Carrying weapons and sharp materials.
• Riding a bicycle or a motorbike.
• Smoking.

The circumambulation area is the courtyard tiled with white marble, which surrounds the Noble Ka'bah. It is now called the courtyard. It is the space where Muslims rotate around the Kaaba.

Some important features of the circumambulation courtyard are:

• The Noble Ka'bah: It is the qiblah of Muslims and is dear to their hearts. It is the only object around which they rotate in worship to Allah.
• Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham): It is the rock on which Abraham, peace be upon him, stood when building the Ka'bah. It is a clear and visible sign in the Haram. Allah Almighty said: " In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham."

The Ka'bah is the Sacred House of Allah, and the greatest building for Muslims. It enjoys a great prestige and a glorious history. It was built by Abraham and his son, Ismail, peace be upon both of them.

It is the first house that Allah placed on earth so that mankind may worship Him alone, without ascribing any partner to Him. The Almighty says, "The first House (of Prayer) established for mankind is the one at Bakkah: a blessed place and a guidance for the worlds." It is the qiblah of Muslims and the thrust of their hearts. It is the only structure which they circumambulate in worship to Allah.

The Ka'bah has several features that can be observed during circumambulation:

Al-Hatim (Hijr Ismail): It is an open semi-circular space next to the Ka'bah. A portion of it was part of the Ka'bah. Prayer inside this enclosure is equivalent in reward to prayer inside the Ka'bah.

Door of the Ka'bah: The door of the Kaaba is located on the eastern side of the Kaaba. Today it is made of pure gold. It is 222cm above the

The circumambulation building comprises the following:

• The circumambulation courtyard
• Ground floor
• 1st floor
• The meezanain floor for wheelchair users on the first floor
• The roof

Capacity of the circumambulation building:

• The circumambulation courtyard accommodates 30,000 circumambulators per hour.
• Total capacity of all floors: 107.000 circumambulations per hour.

These floors are accessed through special paths determined by security personnel. Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrims should cooperate with them and follow their instructions.

What are As-Safa and Al-Marwah? Two hills that Hagar (mother of Ismail, peace be upon him) climbed in search of food and water.

• As-Safa: a hill at which Sa’i begins. Its rocks are still visible on the ground floor of Al-Masa'a.
• Al-Marwah: a hill opposite As-Safa at which Sa’i ends.

Masa'a in figures:

• Length: 394 m
• Total walking distance of the seven rounds: approximately 2,761 m
• Average time to complete Sa’i: 45-55 minutes. Walking speed varies depending on several factors.

Masa'a Floors: Masa'a comprises several floors, with a total area of 87,000 square meters. Those floors are:

• Basement
• Ground floor
• The Mezzanine Floor for electric wheelchairs
• 1st floor
• 2nd floor
• Masa'a roof

Zamzam well is 21 meters to the east of the Ka'bah. Wellhead circumference: 3.60 m.

Other Names of Zamzam: Suqya Ismail, Safiah (pure), Mubarakah (blessed), Salimah (safe) and Tahirah (pure).

Down the ages, caliphs and kings took great care of Zamzam well. This interest continued in the Saudi era, starting with the reign of King Abdulaziz, who in 1345 AH ordered the construction of a Zamzam drinking charitable fountain. A year later, he ordered the construction of a second charitable fountain, maintenance and covering of the well. This interest has continued. King Salman approved the completion of Zamzam well works and establishing five channels of Zamzam well services in 1439 AH.

Zamzam Water Distribution Center: It supervises Zamzam well works, so that Zamzam water is provided to Hajj and 'Umrah pilgrims in accordance with the highest quality standards.

Zamzam Lab:

• Supervises Zamzam water sterilization stages
• Supervises the processes of filling of tanks that transport Zamzam water to the Prophet's Mosque