Historical Sites – Muzdalifah Holy Site
Muzdalifah Holy Site
Muzdalifah is the third of the sacred sites that pilgrims pass through during their spiritual journey while performing the Hajj rituals.
The name "Muzdalifah" is derived from the fact that people stay there during the early hours of the night called in Arabic “zulaf Al layl”. It is also said that the name comes from the fact that people move from there towards the Holy Mosque.
- Allah the Almighty referred to it as "Al-Mash'ar Al-Haram" in the Quran, in the verse: "When you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Al-Mash'ar Al-Haram."
- Muzdalifah is located between the sacred sites of Mina and Arafat.
- Its area is approximately 11.68 km², bordered to the west by Wadi Muhassir, which separates it from Mina.
- Muzdalifah is about 8 km2 from the Holy Mosque.
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Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque
Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque is located midway between Namirah Mosque in Arafat and Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina. It is the mosque where the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) stayed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, facing its Qibla. Beside it was a small mountain called "Qarn Quzah," where the imam stands in Muzdalifah. In pre-Islamic times, fires were lit on this mountain to provide light and guide pilgrims. Quraysh tribe would stop there and not proceed to Arafat, distinguishing themselves as the people of the Haram, unlike other pilgrims who would continue to Arafat.
The Heritage Building – Al-Mustarah
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This was the place where the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) would stay, located at the Qibla of Al-Mash'ar Al-Haram Mosque.
Abu Al-Walid narrated to us, saying, "My grandfather told me that Muslim bin Khalid narrated from Ibn Jurayj, who said: Ata told me that it was conveyed to him that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stay at the place where the imams now reside, the residence of Jamaa —referring to Imarah “governor's” house located at the Qibla of Muzdalifah Mosque.
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Thabir Mountain "Al-Nasaa"
Thabir Mountains are a range of mountains located in Makkah, known as "Al-Athbirah." The specific reference here is to Thabeer Al-Nasaa: This is the mountain overlooking Muzdalifah from the northeast, on the left side of the road leading to Mina. Its northern part is called "Al-Ahdab Mountain," and its southern part is "Al-Marar Mountain," with a pass called "Riyaa Al-Marar" separating it from the Azmeen.
In pre-Islamic times, Arabs used to say when the sun rose over its peak, "Thabeer has shone, so let us set out on our raid."
