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Mosque

Masjid al-Haram

The great mosque around the Kaaba, the qibla for all Muslims; the tawaf and sa'i of Umrah take place here.

Exterior of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
Exterior of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.Photo: King Eliot, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

History

Masjid al-Haram is the name of the courtyard and mosque surrounding the Kaaba. The Quran states that Ibrahim and Ismail built the Kaaba (2:127). The site was already a pilgrimage center in pre-Islamic Arabia; with the prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ it became the center of Islamic worship. The mosque was expanded many times. According to classical historians, Umar ibn al-Khattab (17 AH) and Uthman (26 AH) enlarged it; the Umayyad, Abbasid and Ottoman periods brought further works. In the 20th and 21st centuries the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia carried out major expansions.

Visiting tips

Entry to the Masjid al-Haram is generally free, but time slots or permits may apply during peak periods (Ramadan, Hajj season). Check current rules in the Nusuk app and official channels. Men and women have separate areas. Early morning and late night are quieter. Roofs and courtyards provide shade and air conditioning; lifts and escalators help with access. Drink water regularly and watch for signs of exhaustion.

Etiquette

Silence and reverence are expected in the mosque. Set your phone to silent, avoid loud conversation and do not photograph people without consent. Do not walk in front of those praying or circling the Kaaba, and avoid pushing in crowds. Some visitors try to touch or kiss stones and surfaces seeking blessing; many scholars note that there is no basis in the sources for such blessing-seeking and recommend safe, respectful conduct instead.

Timeline

  1. 8 AH / 630 CE

    Conquest of Makkah and the cleansing of the Kaaba from idols

    In Ramadan of 8 AH the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah and removed the idols around the Kaaba. According to historians, the mosque then became the central place of Islamic worship.

  2. 17 AH / 638 CE (approx.)

    First major expansion under Umar

    Classical sources report that Umar enlarged the mosque and built walls around it. The exact date is not firmly recorded; the year is approximate.

Location

Sources