MadinahDec 6, 2025
Extended Visiting Hours for Rawdah
New visiting hours announced for women's Rawdah access during peak season.
Location
Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Capacity
2.5 million+
Total area
356,800 m²
Access
Muslims only
Overview
What is Masjid al-Haram?
Masjid al-Haram (Arabic: المسجد الحرام, "The Sacred Mosque") is the largest mosque in the world, located in the city of Makkah in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. It surrounds one of Islam's holiest sites — the Kaaba — and draws millions of pilgrims each year for Umrah and the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The name "al-Haram" means "the forbidden" or "the sacred" — referring to the sanctity of the site, within which certain actions are prohibited. This sanctity extends beyond the mosque walls to encompass the entire city of Makkah.
For Muslims, Masjid al-Haram is not simply a place of worship — it is the spiritual centre of the world. All Muslims face its direction (the Qiblah) during their five daily prayers.
History
History and Origins
Ancient
The First House of God
Islamic tradition holds that the site of Masjid al-Haram has been a place of worship since the time of Adam. The Quran states that the Kaaba was the first house established for humanity's worship of God (Quran 3:96). Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail are credited with rebuilding the Kaaba on its original foundations.
570–630 CE
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Makkah
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah around 570 CE. Following the conquest of Makkah in 630 CE, he removed the idols placed inside the Kaaba during the pre-Islamic era and rededicated the mosque to the worship of God alone. It has remained an exclusively Islamic site ever since.
7th C – Present
Expansion Through the Centuries
The mosque has been expanded by nearly every Muslim ruler since the early caliphate. The most dramatic expansion has come under the Saudi government — projects of 1955–1973, 1982–1988, and the ongoing King Salman project transformed a mosque once holding thousands into one accommodating over 2.5 million simultaneously.
Sacred Sites
Key Landmarks Inside Masjid al-Haram
01
The Kaaba
The cube-shaped stone structure at the heart of the mosque. Measuring approximately 13.1 metres high, the Kaaba is draped in the Kiswa — a black silk cloth embroidered with gold Quranic calligraphy, replaced annually during Hajj. Pilgrims perform Tawaf — seven counterclockwise circuits — around the Kaaba as a central act of both Umrah and Hajj.
02
Hajar al-Aswad — The Black Stone
Set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba at about 1.5 metres from the ground, the Black Stone marks the starting and ending point of each circuit during Tawaf. Pilgrims attempt to touch or kiss it. The stone is dark reddish-black, approximately 30 cm in diameter, and encased in a silver frame.
03
Zamzam Well
Located approximately 20 metres east of the Kaaba, the Zamzam Well has been in continuous use for thousands of years and has never run dry. Today, Zamzam water is freely distributed throughout the mosque. Drinking Zamzam water is a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and pilgrims are encouraged to drink their fill and carry some home.
04
Maqam Ibrahim
A small golden structure near the Kaaba housing a stone bearing the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). According to tradition, Ibrahim stood on this stone while building the upper sections of the Kaaba. The Quran instructs believers to take this station as a place of prayer (Quran 2:125).
05
Safa and Marwa
Two small hills now enclosed within the mosque complex, connected by a long marble corridor called the Mas'a. The Sa'i ritual — walking seven times between Safa and Marwa — commemorates the search of Hajar for water for her son Ismail. Sa'i is an obligatory rite of both Umrah and Hajj.
06
Hijr Ismail (The Hateem)
A semicircular walled area adjacent to the northwestern wall of the Kaaba. Islamic scholars hold that this area was part of the original Kaaba as built by Ibrahim (AS), and that praying within it is equivalent to praying inside the Kaaba itself. Read our full guide to Hijr Ismail →
Structure
Architecture and Layout
The mosque complex today covers approximately 356,800 square metres of indoor prayer space, with surrounding open plazas adding several hundred thousand more. The basement level houses the Zamzam facility; the ground floor centres on the open-air Mataf around the Kaaba; upper floors dramatically extend capacity.
The mosque is encircled by seven minarets, the tallest reaching 89 metres. The Abraj Al-Bait clock tower — the tallest clock tower in the world at 601 metres — looms directly adjacent, visible from virtually anywhere in Makkah.
The mosque features hundreds of massive retractable umbrellas in its outdoor plazas that open during the day to shade worshippers — a design later adapted for Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
Practical Information
Visiting Masjid al-Haram
Who can enter
Muslims only. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Makkah. Checkpoints on all approach roads enforce this. No permit is needed by Muslims to visit outside of Hajj season.
Hajj vs Umrah
Hajj is performed on specific days in Dhul Hijjah and requires a Hajj visa. Umrah can be performed year-round. Saudi Arabia now offers Umrah visas easy to obtain for most nationalities.
What to wear
Men must wear Ihram during Tawaf and Sa'i for Umrah/Hajj. Outside of ritual, modest Islamic dress is expected. Women should wear an abaya or full modest dress.
Best times to visit
Ramadan — especially the last 10 nights — carries immense spiritual reward. Outside of peak Hajj days, Fajr and post-Isha prayer times are less congested for Tawaf.
Getting there
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is the main gateway, approximately 90 km from Makkah. The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Jeddah to Makkah in around 30 minutes.
Etiquette
Speak softly, avoid photographing other worshippers, turn your phone to silent, and be mindful of space during Tawaf. Do not obstruct entrances or sit in pathways.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Masjid al-Haram?
Masjid al-Haram (المسجد الحرام) is the Sacred Mosque located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque in the world and the holiest site in Islam. At its centre stands the Kaaba — the cube-shaped structure that Muslims around the world face during their five daily prayers. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obligated to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) here at least once in their lifetime.
Who can enter Masjid al-Haram?
Masjid al-Haram is open exclusively to Muslims. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Makkah or the mosque. Saudi authorities enforce this at checkpoints on all roads leading into the city. Muslims of all nationalities and backgrounds are welcome at any time of year, though Hajj season (Dhul Hijjah) and Ramadan are the busiest periods.
How many people can fit in Masjid al-Haram?
Following recent Saudi expansion projects, Masjid al-Haram can accommodate approximately 2.5 million worshippers simultaneously inside the mosque and its surrounding plazas. During peak Hajj season the broader Makkah area hosts upwards of 3 million pilgrims. It is the largest religious gathering site in the world.
What is the Kaaba and why do Muslims face it?
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped stone structure at the centre of Masjid al-Haram. According to Islamic tradition, it was originally built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) as the first house of worship dedicated to the one God. Muslims face the direction of the Kaaba (known as the Qiblah) during all five daily prayers. The Kaaba is draped in the Kiswa — a black silk cloth embroidered with gold Quranic verses that is replaced annually.
What is Zamzam water and can I take it home?
Zamzam water comes from the Zamzam Well located within Masjid al-Haram, approximately 20 metres east of the Kaaba. According to Islamic tradition, the well miraculously sprang up for Hajar (Hagar) and the infant Ismail. The water is distributed free throughout the mosque. Pilgrims may carry it home — Saudi authorities permit limited amounts in checked luggage on flights. It is commonly distributed to family and friends as a blessed gift.
What is the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)?
The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) is an ancient stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Islamic tradition holds that it descended from paradise and was originally white, turning black over time. Pilgrims attempt to touch or kiss the stone during Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba). Due to crowds, many simply point toward it as they pass. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is reported to have kissed the stone himself.