Muslim pilgrimage site
Holy sites in Islam: Kaaba Sharif is the most sacred place for Muslims around the world. Every year, millions of Muslims from different corners of the world go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and perform the Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba present there, which is a part of Hajj. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. You people must have often heard about Kaaba Sharif. But apart from the city of Mecca, there are some holy places which have great importance for Muslims. These places are counted among the holy pilgrimage sites of Islam. Let us know about them.
Major pilgrimage sites of Islam
The holiest sites of the Muslim religion are Masjid al-Haram (including the Kaaba) in Mecca, Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which are also mentioned in the Quran Sharif, the holiest book of Islam. Apart from these, pilgrimage sites like Karbala and Najaf in Iraq and Mashhad in Iran are also considered very important for Shia Muslims.
holy places for muslims
Kaaba Sharif, Mecca:- The first and most sacred site of Islam is the Kaaba in Mecca, which is located inside the mosque called Masjid al-Haram. It is the Qibla (direction in which they pray) for Muslims and is the center of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in his life, which is done by circumambulating the Kaaba.
Masjid-e-Nabavi, Madina:- It is also called Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi or the Prophet’s Mosque. This mosque is the second holiest place in Islam. It was built by Prophet Muhammad and Muhammad’s grave is also present here. This mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world, in which lakhs of worshipers can offer namaz simultaneously.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem:- Al-Aqsa Mosque is also known as ‘Alharam-al-Sharif’. This mosque is the third holiest place in Islam after Mecca and Medina. According to Islamic belief, Prophet Muhammad had gone on his journey to heaven (Safar-e-Maraj) from this place. This was the first Qibla of Muslims, which is also mentioned in the Quran Sharif.
Karbala, Iraq:- Karbala is the place where Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in a battle along with his 72 companions. This place holds great importance for Muslims, especially for Shia Muslims. Shia Muslims from all over the world travel to Karbala every year in the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. The tomb of Imam Hussain and his brother Hazrat Abbas is also present here.
Najaf, Iraq:- It is one of the holiest cities of Islam, where the tomb of Imam Ali (son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad) is located. It is a major pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, where Ziyarat (pilgrimage) is undertaken.