The most honorable place in the world and the first place of worship established for the people. Al-Masjid Al-Haram is the place where the soul is transformed, the heart yearns, tranquility comes and reward rises. In it, tears are shed, supplications are answered, good deeds are multiplied, sins are forgiven, and mercy is sent down. It has the highest status and position in the hearts of Muslims as it is a symbol of their unity and strength. It is the largest mosque in Islam and the first place of worship built for the worship of God. The Almighty says in the Quran: "The first (house of) God established for mankind is verily that in Bakka, as a blessed (house) and a guidance for the inhabitants of the world"[1].
The Holy Mosque is the Qibla (direction of prayer) for all Muslims to turn to in their prayers wherever they are. The Almighty says, "Indeed, We see your face turning (seeking) toward the sky. Now We certainly want to assign you a direction of prayer with which you are satisfied. So turn your face towards the sheltered place of prayer!"[2]. God has chosen the prayer in the Sacred Mosque with a virtue that is not found in any other mosque. It was authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said, "One prayer in the Sacred Mosque is better than a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere"[3].
It is important to know the boundaries of the sanctuary because many of the regulations are related to them, as the Prophet ﷺ said on the day of the conquest of Makkah, "This land was sanctified by God when He created the heavens and the earth, so it is sanctified due to the holiness of God until the Day of Resurrection. For no one before me was allowed to fight in it, and I was allowed only one hour a day. It is forbidden by the sanctity of God until the Day of Resurrection"[4]. The Haram area extends north on the part of Madina at Al-Taneem Mosque at a distance of 7 km, west on the part of Jeddah at Hudaibiya at a distance of 18 km, east on the part of Najd at Al-Jarana at a distance of 14.5 km, and south on the part of Arafat at Namira at a distance of 20 km[5].
The mosque can accommodate more than two million worshippers and has 13 minarets with a height of 89 meters and more than 179 gates. The most important are: King Abd-al-Azīz Gate (No. 1) in the west square, As-Safa Gate (No. 11) on the Mas'a side, Al-Fath Gate (No. 45) in the north courtyard, Al Umrah Gate (No. 62) in the north courtyard, King Fahd Gate (No. 79) in the west square.
[1] Quran 5: 96
[2] Quran 2:144
[3] Sahih Ibn Madshah - no. or page 1163.
[4] Sahih al-Bukhari - no. or page 3189
[5] Wikipedia
Components of the Great Mosque:
