Why do millions of Muslims around the world turn towards Mecca five times a day? It’s all because of the Masjid al-Haram. This Sacred Mosque stands as the most significant mosque in Islam. It is also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca. The Masjid al-Haram encloses the Kaaba’s vicinity in Mecca. Mecca is in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia.
The Masjid al-Haram is among the pilgrimage sites associated with the Hajj. Every Muslim must perform the Hajj at least once in their lives if they are able. It’s also the main site for performing Umrah. This lesser pilgrimage can be undertaken any time of the year. Both pilgrimages include the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba within the mosque.
But the Great Mosque encompasses other significant sites. The Black Stone stands as a revered relic. The Zamzam Well offers sacred water. Maqam Ibrahim marks a revered spot. The hills of Safa and Marwa are integral to the pilgrimage rituals.
As of 2024, the Great Mosque is the world’s largest mosque. It is also the most expensive building in the world. Throughout the years, it has undergone major renovations and expansions. Various caliphs, sultans, and kings have controlled it. Now, the King of Saudi Arabia controls it. He is titled the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Islamic tradition says that Islam precedes Muhammad. It represents previous prophets such as Abraham. Islamic scholars believe that Abraham built the Kaaba in Mecca. Consequently, its sanctuary is seen as the first mosque that ever existed.
According to the Quran, Abraham and his son Ismael raised the foundations of a house. Commentators have identified this as the Kaaba. Islamic tradition says that Allah showed Abraham the exact site. It was previously built by Adam. This site was very near to what is now the Well of Zamzam. After Abraham built the Kaaba, an angel brought him the Black Stone. It is a celestial stone that had fallen from Heaven on the nearby hill Abu Qubays. Islamic scholars believe it is the only remnant of the original structure made by Abraham.
Upon Muhammad’s victorious return to Mecca in 630 CE, Ali broke the idols. These idols were in and around the Kaaba. This ended the Kaaba’s polytheistic use. It began monotheistic rule over it and its sanctuary.
The first major renovation to the mosque took place in 692. Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ordered it. Before this renovation, the mosque was a small open area with the Kaaba at the center. By the end of the 8th century, the mosque’s old wooden columns had been replaced with marble columns. Al-Walid I ordered the addition of a minaret.
In 1570, Sultan Selim II commissioned Mimar Sinan to renovate the mosque. This renovation replaced the flat roof with domes decorated with calligraphy. New support columns were placed. These are acknowledged as the earliest architectural features of the present mosque.
During heavy rains and flash floods in 1621 and 1629, the walls of the Kaaba and the mosque suffered extensive damage. In 1629, Sultan Murad IV renovated the mosque. A new stone arcade was added. Three more minarets were built bringing the total to seven. The marble flooring was retiled.
The first major renovation under the Saudi kings was done between 1955 and 1973. Four more minarets were added. The ceiling was refurnished. The floor was replaced with artificial stone and marble.
In 2008, the Saudi government announced an expansion of the mosque. It involved the expropriation of land to the north and northwest of the mosque covering 300,000 m2. In August 2011, the government announced further details of the expansion. It would cover an area of 400,000 m2 and accommodate 1.2 million worshippers. After completion, it would raise the mosque’s capacity from 770,000 to over 2.5 million worshippers.
The Great Mosque is the main setting for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the Pillars of Islam. It is required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford the trip. In recent times, over 5 million Muslims perform the Hajj every year.