SACRED PLACES ON EARTH
WHERE YOU'LL FEEL CLOSER TO YOUR CREATOR
Makkah al-Mukarramah / Mecca
- Makkah is also known as Bakkah.
- Located in western of Saudi Arabia (most popular region of Saudi Arabia).
- Its area is 153,128 km² with a population of approximately 6,915,006 (on 2010).
- It is the largest city is Jeddah.
- Makkah is known as strategic as it is a staging post for trade and has been connecting spices producers of the east with Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean.
- Most religion historians viewed that the establishment of Makkah was established before the advent of Islam.
- History of Islam says that ALLAH the Almighty has bestowed water from Zamzam to save the life of Ishmael and his mother Hajar. Hajar and Ishmael was left by the Prophet Ibrahim, as a command from ALLAH.
- ALLAH has also instructed Ibrahim to build the Kaabah (The House of ALLAH).
- The sanctity of the House of ALLAH was destroyed by the tribe of Quraysh and they made Makkah to a place of idolatry and paganism.
- In 570 CE, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah. He began to spread Islam. Eventually, Prophet Muhammad was forced by the people of Makkah to leave the city. He then moved to Madinah.
- In 630 CE, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) went back to Makkah and restore the sanctity of Kaabah by destroying over 360 idols.
- He also has made Kaabah as a place to pray to Allah and establish Makkah as a place of pilgrimage for all Muslims. After destroying the idols, the Holy City of Makkah has become the heart of the Muslim world.
Why Mecca is a sacred place for Muslim?
- Kaabah is placed in Mecca and all Muslims believe that Kaabah is the house of ALLAH S.W.T.
- Makkah is a place where Prophet Mohammad was born.
- The Masjid al-Haram or Grand Mosque places in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Palestine
- Located in Western Asia between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.
- Known as a strategic place between Egypt, Syria, And Arabia.
- Its area is 6,020 km² and consists of population of approximately 4.047 million, on 2012.
- Capitals : Jerusalem, Ramallah.
Why Palestine is a holy land for Islam?
- The first qiblah (direction to pray) of the Muslims is al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Palestine. It is also the site of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
- Palestine is the place where many prophets were born or died, including Prophets Ibrahim, Lut, Dawud, Sulayman, Musa and`Isa.
References
- (n.d.). Retrieved April Wednesday,30, 2012, from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mecca-Blessed-Medina-Radiant-Holiest/dp/0804843821 (n.d.). Retrieved April Wednesday,30, 2014, from palestine history.com: http://www.palestinehistory.com/sights/holysites/holysites.htm
- Arab Country Palestine. (n.d.). Retrieved April Wednesday,30, 2014, from http://www.hejleh.com/countries/palestine.html
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