Islamic Places

The plain east of Mecca where pilgrims gather on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah for the standing (wuquf), the essential pillar without which Hajj is invalid.

The cube-shaped House of God in Mecca, rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim and Isma'il; Muslims worldwide face it in prayer and circle it (tawaf) during pilgrimage.

The "Farthest Mosque" in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam and the destination of the Prophet's Night Journey (Isra) and original qibla.

The Sacred Mosque in Mecca surrounding the Kaaba — the holiest site in Islam and the direction (qibla) toward which all Muslims pray.

The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, built by Muhammad himself and containing his tomb — the second holiest site in Islam.

The holiest city in Islam, birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and site of the Kaaba; the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The second holiest city in Islam, to which the Prophet emigrated (Hijra) and where he established the first Muslim community; site of his mosque and tomb.

Jerusalem, a sacred city in Islam, home to Masjid al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock and the first qibla of the Muslims.

A sacred stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Pilgrims kiss or point to it to begin each circuit of tawaf, following the Prophet's example.

A cave on Jabal al-Nur near Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran from the angel Jibril.

The golden-domed shrine in Jerusalem built over the rock from which the Prophet ascended (Mi'raj); one of the oldest works of Islamic architecture.

The "Station of Ibrahim" near the Kaaba — a stone bearing the footprint of Prophet Ibrahim, behind which pilgrims pray two units after tawaf.

A valley near Mecca where pilgrims stay during Hajj, perform the stoning of the Jamarat, and offer sacrifice; site of the "tent city".

An open area between Arafat and Mina where pilgrims spend the night after Arafat, combine prayers, and gather pebbles for the stoning ritual.

Two small hills near the Kaaba between which pilgrims walk seven times (sa'i), commemorating Hajar's search for water for her son Isma'il.

The sacred well in Mecca that miraculously sprang for Hajar and infant Isma'il. Its blessed water is drunk by pilgrims and carried home worldwide.

The mosque and university in Cairo founded in 970 CE — one of the oldest universities in the world and a leading centre of Sunni Islamic scholarship.

The cave south of Mecca where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid for three days during the Hijra while the Quraysh searched for them.

The western region of the Arabian Peninsula containing Mecca and Medina — the heartland in which Islam first arose.

A semicircular low wall adjacent to the Kaaba enclosing an area that is part of the Kaaba itself; praying within it is considered praying inside the Kaaba.

Three stone pillars in Mina that pilgrims pelt with pebbles, symbolically rejecting Satan and re-enacting Ibrahim's rejection of temptation.

The principal cemetery of Medina, adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque, where many Companions and members of the Prophet's family are buried.

A city in Iraq, site of the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali in 680 CE; a major place of pilgrimage and mourning, especially for Shia Muslims.

The "Mosque of the Two Qiblas" in Medina, where the command came to turn from Jerusalem to the Kaaba mid-prayer, so the congregation changed direction.

A mountain north of Medina, site of the Battle of Uhud (625 CE). The Prophet said "Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it."

The first mosque built in Islam, on the outskirts of Medina. The Prophet said praying two units there equals the reward of an Umrah.

The area in the Prophet's Mosque between his pulpit and his chamber, which he called "a garden from the gardens of Paradise"; a place of intense devotion.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, a landmark of Islamic Spain (al-Andalus) celebrated for its forest of arches; later converted into a cathedral.

A city in Iraq containing the shrine of Ali ibn Abi Talib and a renowned centre of Shia learning.

The Great Mosque of Damascus, completed in 715 CE — one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world and a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture.