Terms and names of sacred places in Makka

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56 Terms and names of sacred places

Those intending to perform Hajj should first go through the following terms and names of sacred places keeping them in mind so that it may become easier for them to understand the rulings etc. described in the book.

1. Ashhur-ul- Hajja
The holy months of Hajj which include Shawwal, Zul-Qa’dah and the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah.

2. Ihram
Ihram refers to the state in which even certain halal things become haram for the one who recites Talbiyah with the intention of performing Hajj or ‘Umrah or both. Further, the unstitched shawls put on in the state of Ihram are also called Ihram metaphorically.

3. Talbiyah
The invocation repeatedly recited in the state of Ihram during Hajj and ‘Umrah, i.e.
“Labbaik- Allahumma labbaika- Labbaika laa shareeka laka labbaika-Innal hamda wan na'mata laka wal mulka-La shareeka laka”


4. Idtiba’
The act of wearing upper shawl of Ihram in such a way that it passes underneath the armpit of right hand and remains on the left shoulder, keeping the right shoulder uncovered.

5. Raml
Raml implies walking with small steps at a slightly increased pace whilst moving the shoulders and stiffening the chest during the first three rounds of tawaf.

6. Tawaf [Circumambulation]
To circumambulate the Ka’bah 7 times is called Tawaf. One round is called a ‘Shaut’ while its plural is referred to as ‘Ashwat.’

7. Mataf : (The specific area where tawaf is performed.

8. Tawaf-ul-Qudum
The very first Tawaf performed on arriving in Makka-tul-Mukarramah is called ‘Tawaf-ul-Qudum’ that is Sunnat-ul-Muakkadah for those making the intention of Hajj Ifrad or Hajj Qiran.

9. Hawaf-uz-Ziyarah
It is also called Hawaf Ifadah. It is an essential pillar of hajj. It can be performed from the subh-e-sadiq of 10th Zul-hijjah till the sunset on 12th Zul-hijjah. However, it is referable to perform it on the 10th of Zul-hijjah.

10. Tawaf-ul-Wada’
This Tawaf is performed after Hajj before departing from Makka-tul-Mukarramah. It is Wajib for every Afaqi Haji (the definition of an Afaqi Haji is given ahead).

11. Tawaf-ul-‘Umrah
This Tawaf is Fard for the person performing ‘Umrah.

12. Istilam
Istilam is the act of kissing Hajar-ul-Aswad or touching it with one’s hand or with a stick and then kissing the hand / stick or pointing towards it with one’s hands and then kissing the hands.

13. Sa’i
To walk between Safa and Marwah 7 times is called ‘Sa’i.’ (One round implies going from Safa to Marwah; hence the 7th walk will end at Marwah).

14. Rami
To stone Jamarat, i.e. Satans

15. Halq
To shave one’s head completely within haram in order to be out of the restrictions of I ram.

16. Qasr
To trim each hair of a quarter (¼) of the head equal to a finger digit in length. (A finger has three digits while the thumb has two).

17. Masjid-ul-Haram
The Masjid in which the Holy Ka’bah is situated.

18. Bab-us-Salam
A blessed door of Masjid-ul-haram situated towards the east. When making first visit to the Masjid, it is preferable to enter through this door.

19. Ka’bah
It is also called ‘Baitullah’ i.e. the ‘House of Allah azwajal’ It is situated at the very centre of the earth. People throughout the world offer their salah facing it. The Muslims make Tawaf (i.e. circumambulation) of it with great fervour.

Names of 4 Corners of Ka’bah

20. Rukn Aswad / Rukn Hindi
The south-east corner of the Ka’bah where Hajar-ul-Aswad is affixed.

21. Rukn ‘Iraqi
The north-east corner of the Ka’bah towards Iraq

22. Rukn Shami
The north-west corner of the Ka’bah towards Syria

23. Rukn Yamani
The western corner of the Ka’bah towards Yemen

24. Bab-ul-Ka’bah
The blessed door of the Ka’bah made of gold. It is elevated from the ground. It is located in eastern wall between Rukn Aswad and Rukn ‘Iraqi.

25. Multazam
The wall section between Rukn Aswad and the sacred door of the Ka’bah.

26. Mustajar
The western wall section situated exactly behind Multazam, between Rukn Yamani and Rukn Shami.

27. Mustajab
The southern wall between Rukn Yamani and Rukn Aswad. At this place 70,000 angels are present to say Amin for Du’a’s. Sayyidi A’la Hazrat Rehmatullahe Ta’ala ‘Alaih has named it ‘Mustajab’ (i.e. the place where one’s Du’as are accepted).

28. Hatim
The section inside the semi-circled small wall on the northern side of the Ka’bah. Hatim is a part of the Ka’bah and entering it is just like entering the Ka’bah.

29. Mizab-ur-Rahmah
The drain pipe made of gold, affixed on the roof of the northern wall, between Rukn Shami and Rukn ‘Iraqi. The rain water pours from it into Hatim.
(The blessed face of the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam is towards the direction of Mizab-ur-Rahmah in his sacred grave. Hence it’s been my practice to recite “Assalatu Wassalamu alaika Ya Rasulallah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam” facing towards Mizab-ur-Rahmah during Tawaf. Those who would like to make Salam from here may notice a pillar of the Masjid just in front of Mizab-ur-Rahmah on which the word ‘Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam is engraved in bold letters. In the same direction lies Bab Madina-tul-Munawwarah. If you exit from here, you will be on Madinah road.)

30. Maqam-u-Ibrahim
The heavenly stone situated under a small dome in front of the door of the Ka’bah. Sayyiduna Ibrahim alaihi salam stood onto this sacred stone to construct the Ka’bah. It is a living Prophetic miracle of Sayyiduna Ibrahim alaihi salam that his blessed footprints are still imprinted on it.

31. Zam Zam Well
This is the blessed well which sprang out when Sayyiduna Isma’il alaihi salam rubbed his delicate blessed feet on the ground in his infancy. Looking at its water, drinking it and pouring it onto one’s body are all acts of reward and it is a cure for diseases.
This blessed well is situated in the south of Maqam-u-Ibrahim.

32. Bab-u-Safa
It is one of the southern doors of Masjid-ul-Haram near which lies the mount Safa.

33. Mount Safa
It is situated on the southern side of the Ka’bah; Sa’i starts from here.

34. Mount Marwah
It is situated opposite the mount Safa. One round completes on reaching Marwah from Safa and the seventh round also completes at Marwah.

35. Milayn-e-Akhdarayn
These are 2 green marks visible in the passage between Safa and Marwah. To make these marks prominent, green tube lights have been installed to the walls and the ceiling. In addition, green marble has been used on the floor, indicating the starting as well as the ending points of these marks. During Sa’i, males are to run between these two green marks.

36. Mas’a
The passage between Milayn-e-Akhdarayn is called Mas’a. It is a Sunnah for males to run along this passage during Sa’i.

37. Miqat
It refers to the place which cannot be passed by the Afaqi, without Ihram, who is going to Makkah whether for trading or for any other purpose. Even the residents of Makkah going out of Miqat (e.g. Madinah or Taif) are not permitted to re-enter Makkah without Ihram.

There are 5 Miqat

38. Zul-Hulayfah
It is approximately 10 kilometres away from Madinah towards Makkah. It is the Miqat for those coming from the direction of Madinah. Its present name is ‘Abyar-e-‘Ali.’

39. Zat ‘Irq
It is the Miqat for those coming from the direction of Iraq.

40. Yalamlam
It is the Miqat for those coming from the direction of Indo-Pak.

41. Juhfah
It is the Miqat for those coming from the direction of Syria.

42. Qarn-ul-Manazil
It is the Miqat for those coming from the direction of Najd (whose present name is Riyadh) which is near Taif.

43. Miqati
The person who lives within the limits of Miqat is called a Miqati.

44. Afaqi
The person who lives outside the limits of Miqat is called an Afaqi.

45. Tan’im
It is the place where people whilst staying in Makkah go in order to put on Ihram for ‘Umrah. It lies at about 7 kilometres from Masjid-ul-Haram towards Madinah. Masjid ‘Aishah has been built here. People refer to this place as ‘small ‘Umrah.’

46. Ji’irranah
It is situated about 26 kilometres from Makkah on the way to Taif. This is another place where people whilst staying in Makkah go in order to put on Ihram for ‘Umrah. People refer to this place as ‘big ‘Umrah1’.

47. Haram
‘Haram’ refers to the area around Makkah whose limits have spread out up to several miles. This land is called Haram because of its sacredness. Its limits are marked in all directions. It is Haram (unlawful) for any person, whether Haji or not, to hunt in its jungle and to cut its naturally growing trees and live grass. The people who dwell within the limits of Haram are called Ahl-e-Haram.

48. Hil
This is the area beyond the limits of Haram but within the limits of Miqat. Certain acts which are haram within Haram are Halal here. The people who live in this area are called Hilli.

49. Mina
A valley about 5 kilometres away from Masjid-ul-Haram where the hajis stay. Mina lies within Haram.

50. Jamarat
The three places in Mina where stones are hurled (at Satan). The first one is called Jamra-tul-Ukhra or Jamra-tul-‘Aqabah, it is also called the big Satan. The second one is called Jamratul-Wusta (the medium Satan) and the third one is called Jamra-tul-‘Ula (the little Satan).

51. ‘Arafat
About 11 kilometres from Mina lies the plains of ‘Arafat where all hajis gather on the 9th of Zul-hijjah. ‘Arafat is situated outside Haram.

52. Jabal-ur-Rahmah
The sacred mountain in ‘Arafat near which Wuquf (ritual stay) is preferable.

53. Muzdalifah
The plains about 5 kilometres away from Mina towards ‘Arafat. To spend night here on return from ‘Arafat is Sunnah and to stay here for at least a moment between Subh-e-Sadiq and sunrise is Wajib.

54. Muhassir
Adjacent to Muzdalifah is a plain called Muhassir where divine retribution was inflicted upon Ashab-ul-Fil. If one has to pass through this plain, it is Sunnah to cross it quickly.

55. Batn ‘Uranah
A jungle near ‘Arafat where Wuquf for hajj is invalid.

56. Mad’a
An area in between Masjid-ul-Haram and Jannat-ul-Ma’ala, the graveyard of Makka-tul-Mukarramah, where it is Mustahab to make Du’a.