The city our Rasul SAW loved the most and he said he would never leave it if his own people (Quraish) didn't turn hostile towards him. We love Mecca for various reasons - least of them is Rasul SAW spent 50+ years of his life there. It is natural for any Muslim traveling first time to expect Mecca to be larger than life. Good news is , it is and it is not. Masjid-al-Haraam is perhaps the best place on Earth I have been to. City of Mecca is well developed - but people coming from the West may get slightly disappointed by seeing child beggars, non-metered taxis, chaos on the roads, rudeness of people etc (Just a note to say cleaners, workers and security in Haram are more polite people you will find ). They will need to understand the development of the Saudis in modern sense of the word has only started a few decades ago after oil was discovered. It techincally is still a developing country.
Many people say that they saw Kaabah for the first time and felt nothing emotionally, no tears at all - so is this a normal thing? It is normal. Soften up your heart before you see Kaabah for the first time. Think about times where Quraish were living in this valley and were priests of Kaabah and how much Rasul SAW loved Kaabah and the city. Imagine the last time Rasul SAW might have seen and prayed at Kaabah before Migration to Madinah. Imagine how he must have felt on seeing Kaabah for last time in his life when he was leaving after his last Hajj. Imagine right now all the Muslims across the globe are praying facing towards it. Imagine this is the place from where Rasul SAW started Israa to Masjid-ul-Aqsaa and Meraaj to higher heavens. Imagine this is where famous incidents happened - Ibraahim AS and Ismael AS building it with their own hands, Rasul SAW putting Black stone in place with his own hands, Umar RZ listening to the Quraan recited by Rasul SAW behind its Ghilaaf(Covering), Rasul SAW breaking idols in it with his on hands on the day of Victory of Mecca. This was the place Abraaha set out to destroy but could not destroy , this is the place mentioned several times in the Quraan - this is Bait-ul-Ateeq - the most ancient sactuary to worship Allah Subhaan-o-Taala. This is the holiest of holies by any standard for us Muslims.
Read about the history of Mecca and especially Kaabah before Hajj. It will make the experience so much real and personal. Pray when you see the Kaabah for the first time - this is something you get reward by merely looking at it.
Masjid-al-Haraam and Kaabah- key landmarks:
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Key landmarks near Kaabah Note: As of 2016, raised Tawaaf ramps have been taken down, and Tawaaf area has been returned to original open plan. |
Tawaaf:
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Crowd Intensity around Kaabah during Hajj times and Ideal route to take |
Eating , Shopping, Visiting other places in Mecca:
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