Travelling to Makkah and Madinah

For anyone, who deals with Islam, it is an absolutely natural thing to see Makkah and Madinah as the cradle of that religion. In that view, Makkah is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. You can read all the practicalities about these two cities and hadj and umrah travel in this blog.

It is July 16, 622 A.D. and the Islamic prophet Muhammad emigrates from Makkah to Yahtrib (present-day Madinah). Muhammad was the underdog in Makkah at the time, trying to spread the message of Allah. When this was only partially successful, most in Makkah were tired of his preaching and threatened to silence him, Muhammad accepted the offer of followers to emigrate to Madinah. The crossing from Makkah to Madinah has remained known within Islam as "Hidjra. Once in Madinah, his fame and authority grows. Muhammad returns to Makkah at the end of his life as lord and master where he provides the initial impetus for the expansion of the Islamic empire. Thus he laid the foundation for expansive Islam, which conquered the world soon after Muhammad's death.

Makkah, the holiest city in the world

Makkah is a city in Saudi Arabia and is the holiest city in the world for Muslims around the world. The city is the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, and is the site of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, which contains the Ka'aba, Islam's most important shrine.

For Muslims, Makkah is the ultimate destination for their religious pilgrimage, known as the Hajj. Each year, more than two million Muslims from around the world travel to Makkah to complete the Hajj, which consists of a series of rituals designed to strengthen the spiritual bond between the believer and Allah.

The city of Makkah is also the location of a number of other important shrines and historical sites. One of the most famous is Jabal Al-Nour, or the Mountain of Light, where the Prophet Muhammad first heard the Koran from the Archangel Gabriel. The mountain is also the location of the Cave of Hira, where the prophet retreated to meditate before receiving the revelation.

In addition to Makkah's religious significance, the city also has significant economic and political significance. As the home of the world's largest oil-producing nation, Saudi Arabia is a major player on the world stage, and Makkah plays an important role in the country's economy.

Makkah is also a political capital in the Islamic world. The king of Saudi Arabia holds the title of "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques," making him responsible for the protection and management of Makkah's Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

In recent years, Makkah has undergone a massive transformation, with expansions of the Grand Mosque and the development of new buildings and infrastructure. The city is now able to accommodate and care for millions of pilgrims throughout the year during the Hajj.

Makkah remains an important city for the Islamic world and the city continues to attract millions of believers from around the world every year. As a city full of history and spiritual significance, it will always hold an important place in the hearts and minds of Muslims around the world.

Mecca cannot be visited by non-Muslims.

Madinah, the city of the prophet

Madinah, also known as the "City of the Prophet," is the second holiest city after Makkah and is where the Prophet Muhammad spent his final years. Madinah was founded in the 6th century B.C. and was originally known as Yathrib. It was an important trading city and attracted traders from different parts of Arabia. It was also home to several Jewish tribes that had lived there for centuries.

History of Madinah

Madinah's history as an Islamic city began in the 7th century AD. The Prophet Muhammad and his followers moved from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A.D. after he was threatened there and his life was in danger. This event is known as the Hidjra, and the year it took place is considered the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Madinah served as a refuge for Muslims persecuted in Makkah, and the city soon became the central base of the Islamic movement. The Prophet Muhammad lived in Madinah until his death in A.D. 632.

Meaning of Madinah

For Muslims, Madinah is one of the holiest cities in the world. It is the site of Islam's first mosque, the Masjid al-Nabawi, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried. The mosque has become one of the largest and most iconic in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims each year.

In addition to the Masjid al-Nabawi, there are several other holy sites in Madinah that are important to Muslims. One of the most famous is the Quba Mosque, the first mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad when he arrived in Madinah.

Madinah is also the site of several important events in Islamic history, including the battle of Badr, which was fought in 624 A.D. and is considered an important victory for Muslims.

Today, Madinah is one of the main destinations for pilgrims performing the Hajj or Umrah, the two main pilgrimages in Islam. During these pilgrimages, pilgrims visit the Masjid al-Nabawi and other holy sites in Madinah.

Medina can be visited by non-Muslims, however. From the Pullman Zamzam hotel you have the best view of the mosque. Especially on Fridays when more than half a million Muslims gather for Salat al-djuma or also called Friday prayers.  

Hajj - The great pilgrimage

Every year, between 2 and 3 million Muslims travel to Madinah for the hajj. The hajj is the annual pilgrimage that every adult Muslim who has the financial means and is in good health should make once in his or her lifetime. The hajj always takes place at the beginning of the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar and takes you to the place where Muhammad preached Islam: Makkah. Muhammad's "farewell pilgrimage" in his dying year became the model for today's hadj ritual. The pilgrimage of five days consisting of a series of very detailed rituals which starts the moment the believer enters the holy area around Makkah. The relationship with the person Muhammad is an important aspect of the hajj for the Muslim. For this reason, many Muslims visit the Prophet's grave in Madinah after the hajj. The pilgrimage is meant to cleanse sins and get closer to Allah.

Hajj consists of the following pious rituals:

Day 1 - Intention and ihram

The very first ritual of the Hajj is making a pure intention and entering Ihram - a sacred state for pilgrims - upon crossing the outer borders of Makkah, called Miqat.

Entering ihram involves wearing simple clothing - two unstitched pieces of fabric for men, or loose-fitting clothing for women - and abiding by certain rules, such as not expressing anger or engaging in sexual activity.

Next, pilgrims perform tawaf, which means going around the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise, and sai, which refers to running between Safa and Marwa hills.

Then pilgrims travel on foot along pilgrim paths or take a bus for the 8-km journey to Mina, a tent city just outside Makkah.

Pilgrims spend the day in Mina and leave the next morning at daybreak. Most of the time in Mina is spent in prayer, supplications and remembering Allah (God).

Day 2 - A day at Arafat

The Day of Arafat is considered one of the most important days, not only of the Hajj, but of the Islamic calendar. After a 15-km journey from Mina, pilgrims spend the day on the Mount of Grace in reverent prayer.

This is known as wuquf - standing before Allah from noon until sunset.

The place is particularly revered as the place where Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon. Around the world, many Muslims choose to fast on this day.

On the road to Muzdalifah - After sunset, it is time to leave again, this time for Muzdalifah - an 11 km journey - where the pilgrims will spend the night under the stars. Many also begin collecting 49 stones here for the next day's rites, for which they will again leave just before sunrise.

Day 3 - Nahr and stoning the devil (rami)

The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, a day celebrated by Muslims around the world as one of the two most important Islamic holidays.

After leaving Muzdalifah, pilgrims return to Mina before dawn to perform the first rami, throwing seven pebbles at the largest of the three pillars, known as Jamarat al-Aqaba.

This act is the symbolic stoning of the devil, based on historical tradition. Muslims believe that God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son as proof of his faith.

It is believed that at this spot in Mina, the devil appeared and tried to dissuade Abraham from obeying the command. Abraham responded by throwing stones to deter him.

Muslim pilgrims must also sacrifice an animal, called nahr. A camel or lamb is appropriate and the meat must be distributed to the needy. Pilgrims can either purchase sacrificial coupons/vouchers stating that the sacrifice has been made on their behalf, or make their sacrifice themselves.

Day 4 and 5 - Throwing stones

The throwing of stones is repeated over the next two days, bombarding the three pillars with seven pebbles each, in the following order: Jamarat al-Ula (the small pillar), then Jamarat al-Wusta (the second/middle pillar) and finally Jamarat al-Aqaba (the third/large pillar).

Day 6 - Halq or Taqsir

After completing rami, on the 12th day of Dhul-Hijjah, men shave their heads (halq) or trim their hair (taqsir). Women can trim their hair to the length of a fingertip.

The farewell tawaf - After that, pilgrims may remove their ihram garments. Many will then go to Makkah to perform tawaf and sai again.

After that is done, they return to their camping spot in Mina, marking the end of the Hajj.

Many pilgrims also visit Madinah, the second holiest city in Islam, before returning home. Madinah is not part of the pilgrimage, but is considered the place where Prophet Muhammad was buried, along with his closest companions.

Umrah - The small pilgrimage

The umrah (the small pilgrimage) also has the same purpose, but is voluntary in nature, can be done year-round within a few hours in Mecca's great mosque Al-Masjid al-Haram and consists of four pious rituals:

1. Dressing up in the Ihram at Miqat (border), followed by stating the intention (niyyah) to perform the Umrah and then frequently reciting the Talbiyah;
2. The Tawaf al-`Umrah around the Ka`bah, followed by twice the rakat sunna prayer and drinking the water of Zamzam;
3. Performing the Sa`y;
4. The Halq (shaving v/h head) or Taqsir (cutting v/h head hair short), followed by dressing in normal clothes.

With these acts, the Umrah is completed.

See here for our umrah, umrah plus and umrah custom trips.

Are you going on Umrah to Saudi Arabia?

Click here to apply for your visa to Saudi Arabia.

Important! A tourist visa is sufficient for performing Umrah. If you are residing in a country through a Residence Permit for an indefinite period of time and thus have a different passport from the country where you are residing, please contact us to apply for a visa. Example: you have a Moroccan passport and a permanent residence permit for your stay in the Netherlands.

Nusuk

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched in 2022 Nusuk, the official Saudi integrated digital platform that provides a user-friendly way for all pilgrims and visitors to travel to Makkah and Madinah. This platform aims to enhance the experience of Muslims visiting Saudi Arabia from around the world and facilitate arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah. Nusuk is an initiative of the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program.

Nusuk provides information and a wide range of services for pilgrims and visitors so that they can perform the rituals of Umrah with ease and comfort. It will also enhance the quality of services provided and enrich visitors' religious and cultural experience.

Nusuk was launched in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority to offer the full range of services across the Visit Saudi ecosystem, including visa facilitation, permits and procedures. Nusuk also offers various packages and programs to enhance and enrich the experience of Muslims visiting Makkah and Madinah.

Additional services such as interactive maps, a calendar of offers and activities, healthcare information and services, and a digital guide to all policy guidelines in several languages will be added at a later stage. Nusuk also offers opportunities for the private sector, allowing service providers to offer their services electronically to pilgrims and visitors. The Maqam platform will continue to support the planning of the Umrah travel program until its services are transferred to Nusuk at a later stage.

Please note; this application requires an active data connection to the Saudi phone network. To avoid high costs, it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.