Places of Hajj Near Masjid-Al-Haraam
Besides Kaabah (Baitullah), there are other places of Hajj near Makkah where hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims visits every year and they are: Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. These locations have nothing to do with Umrah. If interested, Umrah performers can visit them, though spending time in Masjid al-Haraam is more rewarding.
- Mina:
This is a plain within the boundaries of the Haram of Makkah about five kilometres outside the city. The pilgrims spend the night between the 8th and 9th Zil-Hajj here and then continue to Arafat after sunrise or dawn on the 9th of
Zil-Hajj. Pilgrims are back here on the 10th of Zil-Hajj for the three last days of Hajj. Qurbani or animal slaughtering is offered here.
* Jamrahs:
The pilgrims do rami al-jamaraat that is throwing pebbles on three Jamrahs (stone pillars) representing devils (shetans) for three days. These pillars are well known as Jamrah al-Ula (small devil or shetan), Jamrah al-Wusta (middle devil or shetan) and Jamrah al-Aqabah (big devil or shetan).
* Khaif:
Khaif Mosque is located in Mina where pilgrims offer their prayers while their stay here.
- Arafat:
This is a vast plain about 15 kilometres to the east of Makkah, its bounds beginning from the place where the limits of Haram end. Arriving in the Plain of Arafat on the 9th date of Zil-Hajj and Wuquf (halting) herein till sunset is the primary Hajj rite without which Hajj can not be valid. At sunset the pilgrims go for Muzdalifa without offering Maghrib namaz (prayer).
* Namirah Mosque or Masjid-e-Namirah:
Namirah mosque is located right on the meeting place of the boundaries of Arafat and Haram. Here the Imam leads the Zuhar and Asr namaz (prayers) shortened and combined at Zuhar time.
* Jabal Rahmah:
Jabal Rahmah is a sacred and blessed hill in the middle of the Plain of Arafat. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) delivered his well-known sermon on the occasion of the Hajj Farewell.
- Muzdalifah:
This is a site midway on the route from Arafat to Mina. All Pilgrims gather here on the night of the 9th Zil-Hajj on their returning from Arafat. Here they perform Maghrib and Isha namaz (prayers) combined. It is mandatory to halt here after Fajr namaz between the break of dawn and sunrise before going to Mina.
* Mash’ar al-Haram:
This is an elevated site or place in the plain of Muzdalifah that is enclosed by a boundary. At this place, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) had prayed to ALLAH. The Quran says:
There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord [during Hajj]. But when you depart from ‘Arafat, remember ALLAH at al- Mash’ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray.
Muhassar:
This is a valley between Mina and Muzdalifah, where Abraha and his troops along with elephants, who came to destroy the Holy Kaabah, were themselves destroyed by the birds (swallows) tnat threw small pebbles or stones at them from their claws and beaks. As mentioned previous, this incident was happened in 570 or 571 AD. The pilgrims cross this place hurriedly because Muhassar is a tormented area.
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