Why is Makkah Sacred?

Do your kids know why Makkah is sacred?  We pray towards it every day but there are so many virtues of Makkah to learn about!

Allah made Makkah a sacred and special place

Rewards for deeds in Makkah are greater than rewards for deeds done elsewhere.  Prayer in Makkah is equal to 100,000 prayers elsewhere.  The Ka’bah is the first House of worship of Allah on Earth.  Allah swears by Makkah as a sign of its greatness in Surah Al-Balad

The Qibla of the Muslims.

One of the greatest virtues of Makkah is that it contains the Qibla. All Muslims face the Ka’bah when they pray.  It’s so important that it is one of the conditions for the prayer to be accepted. 

The place of their pilgrimage.

Another great virtue of Makkah is that Hajj, one of the 5 pillars of Islam, takes place in Makkah.  All Muslims aim to visit Makkah therefore at least once in their lifetime.  This pillar can only be performed in Makkah.

The home of the Ka’bah.

The Ka’bah is the Sacred House of Allah in the middle of the Masjid.  The reason why it is called the Ka’bah is that it is in the form of a cube (Muka’ab in Arabic).  Its other name is Al-Bait Al-Atiq (the Emancipated or Ancient House).

‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubair  narrated that the Prophet  said:

“It is called Al-Bait Al-Atiq because Allah freed it (A’taqahu) from coming under the control of tyrants, and no tyrant ever prevailed over it.”

At-Tirmidhi 3170

The first house set up for the worship of Allah on Earth.

A beautiful virtue of Makkah is that it was the first house set up on Earth for Allah’s worship.

Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamîn (the mankind and jinn). (Aal’Imran 3:96)

Makkah is safe and protected

Why is Makkah sacred? Allah informs us in the Qur’an that it is a safe place. It also has certain rules that apply to it due to its sanctity such as no fighting or hunting.

When Allah gave victory to His Apostle over the people of Makkah, Allah’s Messengerﷺ  stood up among the people and after glorifying Allah, said, “Allah has prohibited fighting in Mecca and has given authority to His Apostle and the believers over it..” 

(Bukhari 2434, Muslim 1345)

It contains Maqam Ibrahim (the station of Ibrahim)

This is the stone on which Ibrahim stood when he built the Ka’bah. Because that action was one of the most beloved actions to Allah, He caused the trace of his footprints to remain as a reminder to the believers among his descendants and others, for them and for others.

It contains the well of Zamzam

Zamzam water itself has many virtues, including that whoever drinks it for the purpose of seeking healing, Allah may heal him by His Grace

Allah’s Messenger  said:

“The water of Zamzam is for the purpose for which it is drunk”

Ibn Majah (3062) 

Also, the Prophet’s heart was washed with Zamzam two times.  Once by the angel Jibril when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) was a child and once again before he was taken up to the heavens.

If you would like to teach all of the above and more in an interactive way, the Makkah virtual field trip is available here.  It includes an interactive PowerPoint presentation and accompanying worksheets. It has everything prepared for you to teach your kids about Makka. Just open and go!

Here are some other blog posts you may be interested in:

Masjid Al-Aqsa: 5 Things to Teach Kids

5 ways to make your Muslim homeschool more productive

How to teach Islamic content all day long

6 Teaching Techniques to Teach Kids of Different Ages