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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MuhammedAliGhori (talk | contribs) at 17:02, 11 June 2024 (it is incorrect to say that there is consensus regarding Jerusalem/ the levant being the holiest sites after Mecca & Madina. they are holiest only for sunni islam not shia islam which places more importance on sites related to the Ahlulbayt). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The holiest sites in Islam are located in the Arabian Peninsula. While the significance of most places typically varies depending on the Islamic sect, there is a consensus across all mainstream branches of the religion that affirms two cities as having the highest degree of holiness, in descending order: Mecca, and Medina. Mecca's Al-Masjid al-Haram (including the Kaaba), Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina are all revered by Muslims as sites of great importance.

Within the Levant, both the Umayyad Mosque in the city of Damascus and the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron have held interchangeable significance as the third and fourth-holiest Islamic sites for Sunni Muslims.

After the consensus on the first two sites as well as further sites associated with the family of Muhammad, there is a divergence between Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims on the designation of additional holy sites. For Sunnis, sites associated with the Rashidun, other Companions of Muhammad, and Biblical prophets hold a high level of significance (see holiest sites in Sunni Islam). For Shias, sites associated with the Imamah hold a high level of significance (see holiest sites in Shia Islam). As part of the Hajj, the majority of Muslims also visit the sites of Mina, Mount Arafat, and Muzdalifah, in addition to the Kaaba.

Hejaz

Hejaz is the region in the Arabian Peninsula where Mecca and Medina are located. It is where the Islamic prophet Muhammad was born and raised.

The two holy cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are traditionally known as the Ḥaramayn, which is the dual form of ḥaram, thus meaning "The Two Sanctuaries". They should not be confused with Jerusalem and Hebron, which were also called Haramain during the Mamluk period. Another appellation of the Two Noble Sanctuaries is Ḥaramayn Ṭayyibayn.

Mecca

Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam, as it is home to Islam's holiest site Kaaba in Al-Masjid Al-Ḥaram (The Sacred Mosque). Only Muslims are allowed to enter this place.

The area of Mecca, which includes Mount Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifah, is important for the Ḥajj ('Pilgrimage'). As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, every adult Muslim who is capable must perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Hajj is one of the largest annual Muslim gatherings in the world, second only to pilgrimages to the mosques of Husayn ibn Ali and his half-brother Abbas in Karbala, Iraq, with attendance reaching three million in 2012.

Medina

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi is located in Medina, making the city the second-holiest site in Islam, after Mecca. Medina is the final place-of-residence of Muhammad, and where his qabr (grave) is located. In addition to the Prophet's Mosque, the city has the mosques of Qubāʾ and Al-Qiblatayn ("The Two Qiblahs").

Levant

Ash-Shaam or the Levant is a historical region that includes the cities of Jerusalem and Damascus.

Jerusalem

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa) in Jerusalem is the third holiest site in Islam. The compound is held in esteem by the entire Muslim community, due to its history as a place of worship by many prophets such as Ibrahim (Abraham), Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ilyas (Elijah) and Isa (Jesus). The mosque has the capacity to accommodate in the region of 400,000 worshippers. According to Islamic tradition, the Temple Mount served as the first qiblah (direction of prayer) for Muhammad and his Ummah, before the Kaaba in Mecca. Muslims believe that Muhammad was taken from Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, to visit Masjid al-Aqsa, where he led the prayer among the prophets, and was then taken to the heavens from the Foundation Stone (today part of the Dome of the Rock) in a single night in the year 620.

The Qur'an mentions the Al-Aqsa Mosque only once in verse 1 of chapter no. 17 (Surah Al-Isra'), as "the Farthest Mosque". Islamic scholars generally agree that this description refers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, although Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Qur'an by name.

Damascus

The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is often considered the fourth holiest site in Islam. The head of John the Baptist, revered in Islam as the prophet Yahya, is believed to be in a shrine inside the mosque, which also houses one of only four authorized original copies of the Quran. The Umayyad Mosque is also the place where Muslims believe the prophet Isa (Jesus) will return at the end of times, atop the "Minaret of Isa" of the mosque, during the time of a Fajr prayer. It is believed that prayers in the Umayyad mosque are considered to be equal to those offered in Jerusalem.

The mosque also holds special importance to Shia Muslims since it contains shrines commemorating Husayn ibn Ali and the Ahl al-Bayt, made to walk there from Iraq, after the Battle of Karbala. Furthermore, it was the place where they were imprisoned for 60 days.

Hebron

In Islamic belief, Hebron was where the Ibrahim (Abraham) settled. Within the city lies the Sanctuary of Abraham, the traditional burial site of the biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs, and the Ibrahimi Mosque, built on top of the tomb to honor Abraham, is also often considered to be the fourth holiest in Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad visited Hebron on his nocturnal journey from Mecca to Jerusalem to stop by the tomb and pay his respects. In the mosque in a small niche there is a left footprint, believed to be from Muhammad.

Sinai Peninsula

The Sinai Peninsula is associated with the prophets Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses). In particular, numerous references to Mount Sinai exist in the Quran, where it is called Ṭūr Saināʾ, Ṭūr Sīnīn, and aṭ-Ṭūr and al-Jabal (both meaning "the Mount"). As for the adjacent Wād Ṭuwā (Valley of Tuwa), it is considered as being muqaddas (sacred), and a part of it is called Al-Buqʿah Al-Mubārakah ("The Blessed Place").

Sunni Islam

In Sunni Islam, all sites which have been mentioned in the Hadith are holy to Sunni Muslims. The Kaaba is the holiest site, followed by the al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque), al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and other sites mentioned in the Hadith, as well Umayyad Mosque, Ibrahimi Mosque.

Kaaba

The Kaaba or Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, is the most sacred holy place of Islam and a Qibla of the Muslims, contains al-Bayt ul-Ma'mur spiritually above the Kaaba, contains the Maqam Ibrahim, Hateem, and the Al-Hajar-ul-Aswad which belonged in Jannah to Adam and Eve (Adam and Hawa). According to the Islamic tradition it was first built by the first prophet Adam, after Noah's Flood the flood of the prophet Nūḥ (Noah), it was then rebuilt by Abraham (ʾIbrāhīm) and his son Ishmael (Ismāʿīl), it has been rebuilt several times.

Masjid an-Nabawi

Masjid an-Nabawi or The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, contains the grave of Muhammad. The two companions Abu Bakr and Umar are also buried with Muhammad, the grave of Uthman in located in al-Baqi' cemetery located to the southeast of the Prophet's Mosque, while the grave of Ali is in Najaf. The grave of al-Hasan is also in al-Baqi', while al-Husayn is buried in Karbala.

Masjid al-Aqsa

Jerusalem's Temple Mount, called Masjid al-Aqṣā, was the first qibla of the Muslims before the Kaaba. According to tradition, Muhammad on the occasion of Isra' and Mi'raj led all the prophets and angels at the site, the site of the mosque built by Sulaymān, son of Dāwūd and king of the Israelites.

Others

Various other cites and mosques across the Islamic world are claimed to be fourth holiest site in Islam or among the holiest.

• The Great Mosque of Damascus is considered by some to be the fourth holiest site in Islam.
• The city of Hebron in Palestine, which contains the Ibrahimi Mosque, is also considered by some to be the fourth holiest site in Islam.
• The city of Kairouan, Tunisia, is considered by some to be the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Local tradition holds that seven pilgrimages to the Great Mosque of Kairouan equals one pilgrimage to Mecca.
• The city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan (which is associated with Imam Al-Bukhari) is considered as a holy city, also claimed by some to be the fourth holiest city in Islam.
• The city of Harar in Ethiopia is considered by some to be the fourth holiest city in Islam.
• The town of Chinguetti in Mauritania, whose libraries contain many ancient manuscripts, is claimed by some to be the seventh holiest city in Islam.

Shia Islam

Overlap with other sects in Islam

Similar to Sunni Islam and other sects, the Holiest sites in Shia Islam are Mecca, followed by Medina. .

After these two sites, most importance is put upon the following sites according to Shia:

Imam Ali Mosque

Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq is the holiest site for Shia Muslims as the first Shia Imam Ali was buried here. The site is visited annually by at least 8 million pilgrims on average, which is estimated to increase to 20 million in years to come.

Imam Husayn Shrine

Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, contains the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali. The mosque stands on the site of the grave of Husayn ibn Ali, where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala in 680. Up to 20 million pilgrims visit the city for the anniversary of Hussein ibn Ali's death. There are many Shia traditions which narrate the status of Karbala.

Abbas Ibn Ali Shrine

The Abbas Ibn Ali Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, is the mausoleum of Abbas ibn Ali, who was the half-brother of Husayn ibn Ali and a prominent figure in the Battle of Karbala. The shrine is one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims, attracting millions of pilgrims, especially during the annual commemoration of Arba'een.

Al-Askari Shrine

The Al-Askari Shrine in Samarrah, Iraq, contains the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari. The shrine is a significant site for Shia pilgrimage and has faced several attacks, most notably in 2006 and 2007, causing extensive damage.

Kadhimayn Shrine

The Kadhimayn Shrine in Baghdad, Iraq, houses the tombs of the seventh and ninth Shia Imams, Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammad al-Jawad as well as multiple notable scholars from Shia History. It is an important pilgrimage site, and the surrounding area, Kadhimayn, is named after these Imams.

Jannat al-Baqi

Jannat al-Baqi in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is a cemetery that holds the graves of several family members and companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Among them are the four Shia Imams: Hasan ibn Ali, Ali ibn Husayn, Muhammad al-Baqir, and Jafar al-Sadiq. The cemetery is a revered site for Shia Muslims.

Imam Reza Shrine

Imam Reza shrine, located in Mashhad, Iran, contains the tomb of Ali al-Rida, the eighth Imam of Shia Islam. It is the largest mosque in the world by area. The complex is a tourism center in Iran with 25 million Shias visiting the shrine each year.

Masjid al-Kufa

Masjid al-Kufa, located in Kufa, Iraq, is one of the oldest and holiest mosques in the world. It holds great significance for Shia Muslims due to its historical and religious importance.

Historical Significance

Masjid al-Kufa is believed to have been built in the 7th century. It is one of the four major mosques that Shia Muslims consider to be significant, the others being the Kaaba, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Great Mosque of Quba. According to Shia tradition, the mosque was constructed by Adam, with subsequent renovations by Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), and Ismail (Ishmael).

Religious Importance

Masjid al-Kufa holds immense religious significance for Shia Muslims. It was the place where Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia Imam, and the fourth caliph in Sunni Islam, used to lead prayers and deliver sermons. The mosque is also the site where he was struck with a fatal blow by Ibn Muljam during the month of Ramadan in 661 CE.

Key Locations Within the Mosque

• Mihrab of Imam Ali: The mihrab marks the spot where Imam Ali was fatally struck while praying.
• Maqam of Ibrahim: It is believed that this is the place where Prophet Ibrahim prayed.
• Maqam of Muslim ibn Aqil: This spot commemorates Muslim ibn Aqil, the cousin of Imam Husayn, who was sent to Kufa by Husayn as his emissary and was martyred here.
• Maqam of Hani ibn Urwa: Hani ibn Urwa was a supporter of Muslim ibn Aqil and was martyred alongside him.
• House of Imam Ali: Adjacent to the mosque is the house of Imam Ali, which is now a site of pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage

The mosque is a significant pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, especially during the anniversary of Imam Ali's death and other important Islamic events. Pilgrims visit the mosque to pay their respects, pray, and reflect on its historical and spiritual significance.

Others

Fatima Masumeh Shrine

The city of Qom in Iran contains the tomb of Fātimah bint Mūsā, sister of the eighth Twelver Shi'ite Imam, Ali al-Rida. The shrine has attracted to itself dozens of seminaries and religious schools.

Masjid Sahla

Masjid Sahla in Kufa, Iraq, is an ancient mosque believed to have been built on the site where several prophets, including Idris (Enoch), Ibrahim (Abraham), and Khadir (al-Khidr), prayed. It is also associated with the future return of the Mahdi according to Shia belief.

Masjid Hanana

Masjid Hanana in Najaf, Iraq, is believed to be a site where the head of Husayn ibn Ali rested on its way to Kufa after the Battle of Karbala. It is a site of reverence and pilgrimage for Shia Muslims.

Balad

Balad, Iraq, is home to the Sayid Muhammad Shrine, dedicated to Sayid Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi, the son of the tenth Shia Imam, Ali al-Hadi. It is an important pilgrimage site, especially for those who visit the Samarrah shrines.

Mada'in

Mada'in, Iraq, is known for its historic significance and the tomb of Salman the Persian, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and revered figure in Shia Islam. The site attracts many pilgrims annually.

Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, Iran, is a popular pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims.

Shāh Cherāgh in Shiraz, Iran, houses the mausoleums of the two sons of Musa al-Kazim, the seventh Imam in Twelver Shia Islam and a descendant of Muhammad.

S̲h̲āh ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm Shrine in Rey, Iran, contains the tomb of ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm al-Ḥasanī, a descendant of Ḥasan ibn ‘Alī and a companion of Muhammad al-Taqī.

Sufi Islam

Mazar Ghous

Mazar Ghous in Baghdad, Iraq is the one of the holiest site in Sufi Islam. It is dedicated to the founder of Qadiryya Sufi order, Abdul Qadir Gilani. The complex was built near the Bab al-Sheikh (ash-Sheikh Gate) in al-Rusafa.

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam

The Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan is considered the third most holiest site in Sufi Islam. It is the mausoleum of Multan's Sufi saint Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fateh. It is one of the most impressive shrines in the world. The shrine attracts over 100,000 pilgrims to the annual Urs festival that commemorates his death.

See also

• Ḥ-R-M
  • Haram (site)
• Lists of mosques
  • List of largest mosques
  • List of mosques
• Middle East
• Near East

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External links

• Jerusalem in the Qur'an
• Al Quds fil Quran (in Arabic Language)
• Charting the holy cities of Islam – the world’s most evasive list

• Islamic holy places