makkah is an ancient city one of the oldest in the world. Before Muhammed :arabic5: was born makkah was a big centre, it was where Ibraheem (peace be upon him) built the kabah. and where the revelation first came to Muhammed peace and blessings be upon him. Al Masjid ul Haram in makkah is also the first masjid to be built on earth.
The Quran mentions much about the sacredness of Makkah and masjid ul haram. here are a few, trans of:
Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (mankind and jinn).
3:96
And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves
2:125
Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Ka'bah at makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower
2:158
(these mountains are in the masjid ul Haram today if you are wondering about them. they are where Ismaeel peace be upon hims mother ran in search for water until they were blessed with what is today called zam zam water)
makkah is also known as the mother of cities and some hadiths narrated on it:
the Prophet peace and blessing be upon him:The best and the most beloved city on the face of this earth to Allah is Makkah. Bukhari
when Muhammed peace and blessing be upon him was leaving makkah he halted and face towards the kabah and said:
By Allah! You are the most beloved portion of Allah's earth to me, and verily you are the most beloved portion of the earth to Allah too. Verily you are the best, spot on the face of the earth. And the most beloved to Allah. If your people did not expel me, I would not have departed from you.
also good deeds are multiplied by one hundred thousand only in makkah (as stated in hadiths bukhari/muslim and others)
having said that madinah is also a very sacred place at it is madina Muhammed peace and blessing be upon him migrated to and passed away and is buried (in the masjid known as The prophets masjid)
both madinah and makkah are known as sacred sanctuaries and has many many many virtues to it which i will later list when i get time hopefully.
Hi guys, not sure if my type is welcome around these parts, but I thought I should ask
you are more than welcome to ask, i cant speak for everyone but i dont think any muslim member has a problem with non-muslims asking questions such as yours but when they are asked in a rude manner/insulting/or spam copy/pastes of islam says this and that, then theres problems.
but as for asking questions like this, ask away