Every Muslim intends to perform Hajj or Umrah has to wear Ihram from the point…
Makkah and Medina: The holiest cities of Islam
Makkah and Medina are two of the most well-known and important cities of Saudi Arabia, mainly because of their importance in Islamic history. It is the holiest city in Islam and also the direction of prayer because the Kaaba is located there. It is one of the most expansive and diverse city of the Muslim world as Hajj and Umrah are performed there. Since Hajj is one of the five main pillars of Islam and compulsory for all Muslims to perform, millions of people visit Makkah to do it.
It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and also the site of the first revelation of the Quran. It has also always been a trading hub and one of the main cities. So it is very central to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and religious identity. Not only is it a site for Hajj but is a fully functional city. It has great infrastructure such as the Makkah Royal Clock which is the third tallest building in the world and has a great railway system.
Most of the historic sites have been lost due to its constant expansion but it is still a magnet that attracts millions of people. It has coined the word Mecca in the English language to refer to any place that attracts many people.
Makkah’s sister city is Medina which is only about 400km away. It is the second holiest city in Islam as it was the power base of the early Muslims and the place where the first Muslim community developed. As the first verses of the Quran were revealed in Makkah the chronologically last verses were revealed in Medina. The most religiously important landmark is al-Masjid an-Nabwi, the second mosque ever built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Before the spread of Islam it was home to a Jewish community and later was shared with the early Muslim community. Similar to Makkah, Medina has a very rich history, especially because of its role in the first few Islamic battles.
So if you are a Muslim you need to visit these cities, not just to perform Hajj and Umrah but also to see the cities. Visit landmarks and learn about how Islam started out and how important they are to your religious identity. To make it easier there are many Makkah Madina packages offered by numerous organizations, and if you would like a tour you can also avail the Makkah Madina Tour packages. These packages will make it much easier for you to plan your trip to these two cities as they will manage your flight, accommodation, travels and everything else; leaving you without any worries so that you may enjoy your trip.
Summary
Reviewer
Shamsul Islam
Review Date
Reviewed Item
Makkah and Medina: The holiest cities of Islam
About the Author
Eaalim Travel is enthusiastic about imparting knowledge about the perfect example and life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and in doing so the idea is to create a deep love as well as connection with our Prophet ﷺ.
