We dive into 7 interesting facts about Makkah from the meaning of its name and its history to the spiritual significance of this holy city.
About Makkah al Mukarramah
Makkah Al-Mukarramah is commonly referred to as Makkah. The city is also known as Mecca in the West. This article will use both names.
Makkah is a city of deep religious significance to the Islamic religion. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As the holiest city in Islam, Makkah plays a central role in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.
Makkah is located in Western Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Peninsula. It is a key destination for the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims visit its city centers and holy sites, including the revered Black Stone.
Pilgrims visiting for Hajj or Umrah must prepare for both spiritual and physical endurance.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage involves rituals such as Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa’i (a 3.5 km walk between Safa and Marwah). The pilgrimage lasts 5-6 days and includes a 24-hour stay at the plains of Arafat, known as Wuquf.
The city’s key site is the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. This stone cube-shaped building is at the center of Islam’s most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque). The Kaaba is the holy shrine toward which Muslims worldwide direct their prayers.
As a non-Muslim, I am not allowed to enter Mecca, but I am fascinated by its rich history and will share my favorite fun facts about the city.
7 Special Fun Facts About Makkah
- The name “Makkah” translates to many things
- Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad
- Makkah’s population triples during Hajj season
- Islamic tradition holds that Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail built the Kaaba
- The world’s largest clock with one of the world’s highest prayer rooms overlooks one of the world’s largest human gatherings and the world’s largest mosque
- Makkah was never the capital of any Islamic empire
- In English, “Mecca” refers to any place attracting large crowds
1. The name “Makkah” translates to many things
The name Makkah has multiple origins, with different potential meanings:
- Arid Nature: From the word “tamakkah” (تمكه), meaning “to draw out all water,” possibly referring to the valley’s dryness.
- Valley: From a Semitic term meaning “valley” or “lacking water,” reflecting the geographical landscape in the early history of the city.
- Sacred Enclosure: Mentioned as “Makoraba” by the Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150 CE.
- Low-Lying Land: From “mak,” referring to low-lying land between mountains.
- Crowds and Movement: Derived from “makk,” the sound associated with crowding and movement, symbolic of pilgrim gatherings.
Makkah’s full name is “Makkah al-Mukarramah” (مكة المكرمة), which adds the honorific meaning “the Noble” or “the Honored” and highlights the city’s importance in Islam.
The Quran also uses the term “Bakkah,” which is thought to mean “to crowd” or “to weep.” The refers to the gathering of Muslims performing Hajj and the spiritual devotion associated with Makkah.
Makkah is encircled by mountains.
2. Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad
Mecca is one of the oldest cities in Islam and holds deep historical and religious significance as the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, born in 570 AD. It is the holiest city in Islam and a central location for Islamic practices, especially the Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj is the world’s largest human gathering, during which devout and able Muslims worldwide gather.