Makkah Al-Mukarramah is the holiest city in Islam, home to Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Kaaba, the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia, about 400 kilometers southwest of Madinah, 75 kilometers west of Taif, and 72 kilometers away from Jeddah and the Red Sea coast. Its nearest port is Jeddah Islamic Port, and the closest international airport is King Abdulaziz International Airport. Makkah is situated at the intersection of latitude 21°25′ N and longitude 39°49′ E, within one of the most geologically challenging formations, with mostly hard granite rocks. The city's area covers approximately 850 square kilometers, of which 88 square kilometers are populated, while the central area surrounding Al-Masjid Al-Haram spans 6 square kilometers. Makkah is located about 277 meters above sea level.
In its early days, Makkah was a small village situated in a dry valley surrounded by mountains. People began to settle there during the time of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail after Prophet Ibrahim left his wife Hajar and his son Ismail in this barren valley in obedience to God’s command. When the Zamzam well miraculously sprang forth, Ibrahim and Ismail started building the foundations of the Kaaba.
According to 2022 statistics, Makkah has a population of approximately 2,385,509 people, distributed across its old and new neighborhoods. Makkah is home to many significant Islamic landmarks, the most prominent being Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the holiest place on Earth for Muslims, as it contains the Kaaba, the direction of their prayers. Al-Masjid Al-Haram is one of the three mosques the Prophet Muhammad recommended traveling to visit, alongside his mosque in Madinah and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Additionally, Makkah is the destination for Muslims during Hajj and Umrah, as it encompasses key pilgrimage sites such as Muzdalifah, Mina, and Arafat.
**Naming:**
Makkah has been known by more than fifty different names and titles throughout the ages, but the origin of its name remains uncertain. Some theories suggest that the name "Makkah" means it humbles the arrogant, or that it refers to the crowding of people. Others believe that "Makkah" refers to the custom of the pre-Islamic Arabs to blow a whistle-like sound while circling the Kaaba. The name "Bakkah" is also mentioned, referring to the breaking of the necks of those who violate its sanctity. It is also said that "Makkah" was a sacred pilgrimage site where people came from all directions for worship. In some ancient Semitic languages, "Bak" means "valley," and some scholars believe that the ancient city of "Makrabah" refers to Makkah.
The name "Makkah" appears in the Quran once, in Surah Al-Fath, while the name "Bakkah" is mentioned in Surah Al-Imran. It is also referred to as "Umm Al-Qura" (the mother of cities) in Surah Al-An'am, and "Al-Balad Al-Amin" (the secure city) in Surah Al-Tin. Other names include "Ma'ad," "Tihamah," "Al-Bayt Al-Atiq," "Al-Hatimah," "Umm Zahm," and "Al-Balad."
According to some Muslim scholars, the wilderness and mountains surrounding Makkah are referred to as the "Desert of Paran" or the "Wilderness of Paran" mentioned in the Old Testament. Islamic traditions indicate that this is the place where Prophet Ismail and his mother Hajar settled. Yaqut Al-Hamawi suggests that "Paran" is a Hebrew word that became Arabized over time due to the interaction between Arabs and Jews in some parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Other names for Makkah found in the Torah include "Tell Paran," which is the name of a hill located on the outskirts of the city today.
