What are the Holiest Sites in Islam?
Islam is a religion deeply rooted in the concept of sacred spaces, with several locations holding profound significance for Muslims worldwide. These sites are not only revered for their religious importance but are also tied to the history of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
In the article below, World History Edu explores the holiest sites in Islam, each of which plays a central role in the faith and practice of over a billion Muslims around the globe.
The Kaaba (Al-Masjid al-Haram), Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Embedded in the corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad), which Muslims believe was placed by Ibrahim. Pilgrims strive to kiss or touch the stone during their circumambulation of the Kaaba, although this is not obligatory.
The Kaaba, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in Islam. It is a cube-shaped structure at the center of Al-Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) and is the qibla, or direction, toward which all Muslims face during prayer. According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was built by the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) as a house of monotheistic worship. The black stone embedded in the Kaaba is believed to have been given by the angel Jibril (Gabriel) to Ibrahim as a symbol of God’s covenant with humankind.
The Kaaba is central to Hajj, the annual pilgrimage that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are required, if financially and physically able, to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. During Hajj, pilgrims perform the Tawaf, which involves walking seven times around the Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction. The Kaaba also plays a key role in Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, or the Prophet’s Mosque, is located in Medina, Saudi Arabia, and is the second holiest site in Islam. It was built by the Prophet Muhammad himself after his migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, a journey known as the Hijra. The mosque’s significance stems from its association with the life of Muhammad, who is buried there alongside his close companions Abu Bakr and Umar.
The mosque’s Green Dome marks the location of the Prophet’s tomb, and many pilgrims visit Al-Masjid an-Nabawi after completing their Hajj or Umrah in Mecca. While visiting Medina and praying at the Prophet’s Mosque is not obligatory for Muslims, it is highly recommended and seen as a way to honor Muhammad’s legacy.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Palestine
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in Jerusalem. The mosque is situated within Al-Haram ash-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), also known as the Temple Mount in Jewish and Christian traditions. It holds immense significance because it is believed to be the site from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Isra and Mi’raj, the miraculous night journey in which Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended to the heavens, meeting earlier prophets and receiving divine instruction.
Al-Aqsa is also significant because it was the first qibla (direction of prayer) before Muslims were commanded to face the Kaaba in Mecca. The site is not only a religious focal point for Muslims but also carries political and cultural significance due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making it a contested and symbolically charged location in the Middle East.
The Cave of Hira, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Cave of Hira is located in the Jabal al-Nour mountain near Mecca. This small cave is where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have received the first revelations of the Qur’an from the angel Jibril. This event, known as the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), occurred during the month of Ramadan, marking the beginning of Muhammad’s prophethood.
Though the cave itself is not one of the mandatory pilgrimage sites, it holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims, particularly during Ramadan. Many pilgrims visit the site to reflect on the humility and dedication of Muhammad, who spent long periods meditating in the cave before receiving the revelation.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) receiving his first revelation from the angel Gabriel (Jibril). From the manuscript Jami’ al-Tawarikh by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, 1307.
Masjid al-Quba, Medina, Saudi Arabia
The Quba Mosque, built by the Prophet Muhammad upon arriving in Medina, is Islam’s first mosque. Praying there is believed to carry Umrah’s reward.
Masjid al-Quba is the first mosque ever built in Islamic history and is located on the outskirts of Medina. It was constructed shortly after the Prophet Muhammad’s arrival in Medina during the Hijra. While Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is more widely known, Masjid al-Quba holds special significance due to its foundational status.
Visiting Masjid al-Quba is not obligatory for pilgrims, but it is highly recommended. According to a hadith (a saying of the Prophet), offering two units of prayer at this mosque is equivalent to performing an Umrah.
The Plain of Arafat, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mount Arafat, also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah), is a granite hill about 20 km southeast of Mecca. It stands 70 meters tall and is the site where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon during Hajj.
The Plain of Arafat is an expansive desert area located about 20 kilometers southeast of Mecca. It is the site of one of the most important rituals of Hajj—Wuquf or the “Standing at Arafat.” On the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims gather at Arafat, where they spend the day in prayer, repentance, and reflection. This day, known as the Day of Arafat, is considered the climax of Hajj, and standing on Arafat is a requirement for a valid pilgrimage.
Muslims believe that it was at this site where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon, shortly before his death. This sermon emphasized the equality of all Muslims and the importance of upholding justice and compassion.
Jannat al-Baqi, Medina, Saudi Arabia
Jannat al-Baqi is a cemetery located near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. It is the resting place of many of the Prophet Muhammad’s family members, companions, and early followers. Among those buried in Jannat al-Baqi are Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, and Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph of Islam.
The cemetery holds profound significance for Muslims, especially those visiting Medina. Although visiting graves is not a part of the pilgrimage rituals, many Muslims visit Jannat al-Baqi to pay their respects to the early figures of Islam.
Mina, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mina, or Muna, known as the “City of the Tents,” is a valley 8 km southeast of Mecca. Spanning 20 km², it includes Jamarat and nearby slaughterhouses. Image: Tents at Mina
Mina is a valley situated about 5 kilometers from Mecca and is an important site during Hajj. It is where pilgrims gather on the 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th days of Dhu al-Hijjah to perform various rituals, including the symbolic Stoning of the Devil at the Jamarat. Mina is also known as the “Tent City” because of the thousands of tents erected to accommodate pilgrims during Hajj.
The stoning ritual symbolizes the rejection of evil, reenacting the actions of the Prophet Ibrahim, who cast stones at Satan when he tried to dissuade him from following God’s command to sacrifice his son.
Mount Uhud, Medina, Saudi Arabia
Mount Uhud is a 1,077 m high mountain near Medina, Saudi Arabia. It was the site of the Battle of Uhud, fought on 19 March 625 CE.
Mount Uhud is located north of Medina and is the site of the Battle of Uhud, one of the most significant battles in early Islamic history. The battle took place in 625 CE between the early Muslims of Medina, led by the Prophet Muhammad, and the Quraysh of Mecca. Although the battle ended in a tactical defeat for the Muslims, it served as a crucial lesson in the importance of unity and discipline.
Mount Uhud is visited by pilgrims who wish to reflect on the sacrifices made by early Muslims in the defense of their faith. Many of the Muslim martyrs from the battle, including Muhammad’s uncle Hamza, are buried at the site.
Najaf (Iraq)
The Sanctuary of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq, is a mausoleum believed to hold Ali’s tomb, revered by both Shia and Sunni Muslims, attracting millions of pilgrims annually.
Najaf is another important city for Shia Muslims, as it is the burial place of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Imam in Shia Islam. The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf attracts millions of pilgrims annually, particularly during special occasions such as the anniversary of Ali’s death.
Masjid al-Khamsa, Egypt
Masjid al-Khamsa is a mosque in Egypt that holds great importance for Shia Muslims. It is associated with Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet Muhammad. The mosque is a symbol of the reverence Shia Muslims have for the Prophet’s family, particularly Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn. The mosque is a site of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims, especially those wishing to honor the memory of the Prophet’s descendants.
The Well of Zamzam (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)
The Zamzam Well, located near the Kaaba in Mecca, is a miraculous water source believed to have appeared for Hagar and Ismail, rediscovered by Prophet Muhammad’s grandfather in the 6th century.
Located near the Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram, the Well of Zamzam is a sacred spring that has provided water to pilgrims for millennia. According to Islamic tradition, the well miraculously appeared when Hagar, the wife of Ibrahim and the mother of Ismail, was desperately searching for water in the desert to quench her son’s thirst. The well is considered a miraculous gift from God, and pilgrims often drink from or collect Zamzam water during Hajj and Umrah.
Karbala and the Site of the Martyrdom of Husayn (Iraq)
Karbala, a city in central Iraq, is renowned for the Battle of Karbala (680 AD) and the shrines of Husayn and Abbas, making it a holy site for Shia Muslims. Image: Entry gate to the grave of Husayn within the mosque.
Karbala is one of the holiest cities for Shia Muslims. It is the site of the Battle of Karbala, which took place on October 10, 680 CE. During this battle, Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a central figure in Shia Islam, was martyred along with his companions. The city’s Imam Husayn Shrine marks the place where Husayn is buried, and it is a major pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, especially during the annual commemoration of Ashura.
Did you know…?
Annually, millions of Shia Muslims visit Karbala for ʿĀshūrāʾ and Arbaʿeen, commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali. During Arbaʿeen, up to 40 million pilgrims, many on foot, travel from over 56 countries to honor Husayn’s sacrifice.
Karbala in Iraq is a holy city for Shia Muslims
Conclusion
These holy sites are central to the spiritual lives of Muslims and are woven into the fabric of Islamic worship and pilgrimage. From the Kaaba in Mecca, the heart of the Hajj pilgrimage, to the sacred mosques and historical sites in Medina and Jerusalem, these locations are revered not only for their religious significance but also for their deep historical connections to the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the early days of Islam. Together, they form a powerful representation of the faith, history, and unity of the global Muslim community.
