Mecca (also spelled Makkah) is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, it is the spiritual heart of Islam and the direction Muslims face when they pray, known as the Qibla.
Mecca Before Islam
Long before Islam, Mecca was a major religious and trade center in the Arabian Peninsula. At its center stood the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure believed by Muslims to have been built by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) as a house of worship for the One God.
Over time, however, the Kaaba became filled with idols, and the people of Mecca practiced polytheism (worship of many gods).
The Birthplace of Muhammad
Around the year 570 CE, Muhammad was born in Mecca into the powerful Quraysh tribe. As he grew older, he became known for his honesty and good character. At the age of 40, he began receiving revelations from Allah (God) through the angel Gabriel, calling people back to monotheism—the worship of one God.
Opposition and Struggle
Muhammad’s message of Islam challenged Mecca’s idol-based religion and the power of its tribal leaders. As a result, he and his followers faced harsh persecution. After years of suffering, Muhammad and many Muslims left Mecca in 622 CE and migrated to Medina. This migration, called the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
The Return to Mecca
In 630 CE, Muhammad returned to Mecca with a large group of followers. The city was peacefully taken, and the Kaaba was cleansed of idols, rededicated to the worship of the one true God, Allah. From that moment, Mecca became the center of Islamic faith.
Mecca Today
Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Only Muslims are allowed to enter the city, and visiting Mecca at least once in a lifetime (if able) is a religious duty for all Muslims.
Summary
- Mecca is the holiest city in Islam.
- It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Home to the Kaaba, believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael.
- Site of early opposition to Islam and Muhammad’s return in 630 CE.
- Today, it is the focal point of daily prayers and the Hajj pilgrimage.
