Introduction- Virtues Of Hajj

http://attablig.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-we-will-perform-hajjumrahby-shaikh.html

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/

The Last Sermon (Khutbah) of Prophet Muhammad (Farewell Sermon)
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Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)

THE BLACK STONE IS NOT WORSHIPPED BY MUSLIMS

By
Abdul Haleem

Christians regularly to justify their idolatrous practices - such as prayers to Mary - by claiming that Muslims "worship" the Black Stone at the Kaaba in Makkah.

Having been on hajj let me answer this based both on history and my own experiences. The Black Stone - Hajar al- Aswad - is NOT mentioned in the Quran. The Black Stone is located about five feet from the ground on the East corner of the Kaaba (this corner is known as "al-rukn al-Aswad").

While there are traditions about kissing or touching the Stone, its real significance is as marker of the point at which one starts the Tawaaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba as part of hajj or omra.) Even the traditions which talk about kissing or touching the stone are VERY CLEAR that the Stone is JUST A STONE!

BUKHARI:

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 667:

Narrated 'Abis bin Rabia: Umar came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said "NO DOUBT, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE A STONE AND CAN NEITHER BENEFIT ANYONE NOR HARM ANYONE. Had I not seen Allah's Apostle kissing you I would not have kissed you."

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 675:

Narrated Zaid bin Aslam from his father who said: "Umar bin Al-Khattab addressed the Corner (Black Stone) saying, 'BY ALLAH! I KNOW THAT YOU ARE A STONE AND CAN NEITHER BENEFIT NOR HARM. Had I not seen the Prophet touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you.' Then he kissed it and said, 'There is no reason for us to do Ramal (in Tawaf) except that we wanted to show off before the pagans, and now Allah has destroyed them.' 'Umar added, '(Nevertheless), the Prophet did that and we do not want to leave it (i.e. Ramal).'"

MUSLIM:

Book 007, Number 2914:

Abdullah b. Sarjis reported: I saw the bald one, i. e. 'Umar b. Khattib (Allah be pleased with him). kissing the Stone and saying: BY ALLAH. I AM KISSING WITH FULL CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A STONE AND THAT YOU CAN NEITHER DO ANY HARM NOR GOOD; and if I had not seen Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) kissing you. I would not have kissed you. The rest of the hadith is the same.

The Stone is not be worshipped or regarded as anything but a marker.

===============================================

At hajj time you are actually unlikely to see the Black Stone: Masjid Al-Haram is just two crowded. There is a line on the floor of the Masjid to tell you where the line of the Black Stone is. Many hajis must perform Tawaaf NOT on the Kaaba floor but on the SECOND OR THIRD STORIES of the Majid Al-Haram!

On Levels #2 and #3 there are both marks on the floor and neon lights to show you where to start and stop tawaaf.

The scholars agree that waving in the direction of the Black Stone is sufficient recognition of its location as the start and stop of Tawaaf.

In actuality, waving in direction of the Black Stone is the best you will probably do at hajj time

=================================================

The Black Stone has had an interesting history during the Islamic period. In 930 AD a ruler of Bahrain - who belonged to a branch of Ismailism known as the Karmatians - sacked Makkah and carried the Black Stone away for some 70 years until it was ransomed.

In the process, the Black Stone was cracked. It is now held together by a silver band. The fact that Islam was able to function without the Black Stone for 70 years is one of the best illustrations that it is but a marker for Tawaaf - and NOT an object of worship.

An addition by me, Osama Abdallah:

The more I engage the Islam-hating Jews and Christians and read the Bible, the more I realize how empty their trinity religion is, and how empty their attacks on Islam are. So the asteroid that was sent from space to Abraham and Ishamel to determine the location of where they were to build GOD Almighty's House in the Arabian desert (the Bible also mentioned this and prophesied it [2]) is idol worship in Islam according to them, because it is today placed in one of the Kaaba's corners to determine the starting and ending point of the 7 Circumambulation (tawaaf) around the Kaaba, which I've already shown in the links above that it is fully supported in the Bible, but somehow the following isn't considered idol worship to them using their own SILLY AND EMPTY STANDARDS.

Now again, see also the Bible's Holy Birds made of stone, wood and gold.

Let us look at the Bible's sacred black stones:

Genesis 28:18
When Jacob got up early the next morning, he took the rock that he had used for a pillow and stood it up for a place of worship. Then he poured olive oil on the rock to dedicate it to God,

So here we clearly see that the rock that Jacob, peace be upon him, used for sleeping and resting became a holy object of worship that needed to be anointed by having oil being poured on it. We further read from the Bible about holy stones that GOD Almighty supposedly forbade the believers from even edging or trimming:

Exodus 20:25
25 If you ever build an altar for me out of stones, do not use any tools to chisel the stones, because that would make the altar unfit.

Other translations of this verse:

Exodus 20:25
King James Version (KJV)
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

Exodus 20:25
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.

Exodus 20:25
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
25 And if you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you wield your tool upon it you profane it.

Exodus 24:4
4 Then Moses wrote down what the Lord had said. The next morning Moses got up early. He built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up a large stone for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 25:1-9
The Sacred Tent
1 The Lord said to Moses:
2 Tell everyone in Israel who wants to give gifts that they must bring them to you.
3 Here is a list of what you are to collect: Gold, silver, and bronze;
4 blue, purple, and red wool; fine linen; goat hair;
5 tanned ram skins; fine leather; acacia wood;
6 olive oil for the lamp; sweet-smelling spices to mix with the oil for dedicating the tent and ordaining the priests;
7 and onyx stones for the sacred vest and the breastpiece.
8 I also want them to build a special place where I can live among my people.
9 Make it and its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Black Onyx Stone Natural Onyx Stone

Again, the black stone in Mecca was a meteorite that was sent down by Allah Almighty to Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, peace be upon both of them, to give the precise location of where the Kaaba was to be built by them. We believe that Prophets Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba. The black stone is placed in one of the corners of the Kaaba, and it serves as a starting and ending point for the Circumambulation (tawaaf) 7 times around the Kaaba, which is also 100% supported in the Bible's previous Scriptures. All of Islam's Rituals are 100% supported by the previous Scriptures. Please visit:

http://www.answering-christianity.com/tawaaf_around_kaaba_supported_in_bible.htm

http://www.answering-christianity.com/que11.htm

http://www.answering-christianity.com/ac.htm

But as the Prophet said in the Hadith above, nothing is Holy about either the Kaaba or the Black Stone. They are not objects of worship. They are only part of Allah Almighty's House of Worship. Also, Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and the House of GOD Almighty (Kaaba) in the Arabian Desert prophesied in the previous Scriptures:

The Bible also called the path to Mecca "THE PATH OF HOLINESS".

Prophet Muhammad thoroughly prophesied in the previous Scriptures, and even found in the Dead Sea Scrolls by his Prophetic Name.

Visit the article above for more details.

Muslims do not worship the black cube building (Kaaba) in Mecca.

Is the circumambulation (tawaaf) around the Kaaba seven times, during the Islamic Hajj (pilgrimage), supported in the Bible?

Is the Tale of the Army of the Elephants being bombed/struck by the Sijjeel (سجيل) Stones by the Ababeel (أبابيل) Birds, a mere fable or a True Historical Event, in the Glorious Quran? See the new archeological discoveries.

How is bowing to the Kaaba IS NOT bowing to an idol, thus making Islam pagan???

The Prophecy of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca in the Noble Quran.

The date of the yearly Pilgrimage to Mecca is the date when Islam was "perfected".

Praying (Salah) is a must in the Noble Quran.

Learn how to pray. Detailed instructions with pictures and audio.

Can we use other than the language of Arabic when we pray to Allah Almighty?

Rebuttal to Sam Shamoun's "Stone Kissing and Idolatry" article.

An AUDIO file from Dr. Zaghlool Al-Najjar:

The black stone was proven to be a Meteorite sent from space.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, claimed that the stone was sent down by Allah Almighty to Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, peace be upon both of them, to give the precise location of where the Kaaba was to be built by them. We believe that Prophets Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba. Western Scientists have confirmed that the black stone, which resides near the Kaaba in the Holy City of Mecca, is an outside METEORITE OBJECT!

**** Prophet Muhammad forbade us from worshiping any stone! ****

The black stone and the Kaaba are not objects of worship in Islam! Please visit:

Islam prohibits the worship of the black stone, Kaaba, and/or any other object beside Allah Almighty!

Who was the sacrificed son? [1] [2]

1- Who was the sacrificed son?

Ishmael's Covenant was made for the latter generations according to both Islam and the Bible. Let us look at Ishmael in great details:

Noble Verses 37:100-111 speak about Ishmael being the sacrifice. •Ishmael in these Noble Verses promised his father to be obedient to Allah Almighty’s Command for him to get slaughtered.

Noble Verse 19:54 confirms this Promise:

19:54 واذكر في الكتاب اسماعيل انه كان صادق الوعد وكان رسولا نبيا
–

[019:054] Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised صادق الوعد, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet.



Here is Ishmael's Promise:

37:102 فلما بلغ معه السعي قال يابني اني ارى في المنام اني اذبحك فانظر ماذا ترى قال ياابت افعل ماتؤمر ستجدني ان شاء الله من الصابرين

[037:102]  Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills one practising Patience and Constancy! ستجدني ان شاء الله من الصابرين"

•

Noble Verse 37:112 talks about Allah Almighty gave Abraham the glad tidings of the coming of Isaac, who will be a Prophet. But in the earlier Noble Verse 37:101, a glad tiding was already given for the other son, Ishmael.

Ishmael was put on PAUSE until the covenant of the Israelites comes to an end:

•Like In Jeremiah and Isaiah verses, below, about Arabia's Promise to come later, Ishmael's name and Honor were reserved for Praise for the later generations. Let us look at Noble Verse 37:108:

–‏37:108  وتركنا عليه في الاخرين
–[037:108] and left for him among the later folk

Jeremiah 51:33
33 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon (Arabia) is like a threshing floor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

The Bible defines "Daughter of Babylon" to be Arabia. There are three Babylons mentioned in the Bible. Arabia was defined as the virgin daughter of Babylon. This is because it never had a Divine Religion with Divine Revelations sent to it yet.  Jeremiah 51:33 says that the time of sending the Divine Religion of Islam to Arabia shall come. And Noble Verse 37:108 says that Ishmael's Covenant to Mankind was put for the latter generations.


Here are several of the English translations Noble Verse 37:108:

–[037:108] And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations.

–[037:108] And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation).

–[037:108] And We left the following salutation to be bestowed on him by the latest posterity,

–[037:108] And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times.

–[037:108] and left for him among the later folk

•A PAUSE WAS PUT ON ISHMAEL until later generations (after the Jewish Covenant comes to an end). Also visit this PPT file: Ishmael was put on pause until the Israelites' Covenant passes. See slides 32-38. Both the Bible and Glorious Quran agree on this.

Now let’s see what the Bible says about Arabia and Ishmael…

2- The Bible’s Support for Ishmael:

Even in the altered Bible, there is strong evidence that support that Ishmael was the son to be sacrificed. Ishmael's name means "GOD Heard", which implies:

GOD finally heard my Prayers, or

GOD finally answered my Prayers.


The Jews from birth are liars?

Bible says that Jews' from their essence were liars. From their "birth" they were liars the Old Testament declares them. This is another proof that the Bible is full of man-made corruption and fabrications, especially in the Jews' ancient history and stories. Jeremiah 8:8 is thoroughly covered here.

•Ishmael was 13 years older than Isaac, and •Noble Verse 37:102 supports that Ishmael was a teenage boy:

37:102 فلما بلغ معه السعي قال يابني اني ارى في المنام اني اذبحك فانظر ماذا ترى قال ياابت افعل ماتؤمر ستجدني ان شاء الله من الصابرين

[037:102] Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

Ishmael was put on PAUSE until the Covenant of the Israelites comes to an end:

Once again, we read in Noble Verse 37:108:

[037:108] And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations.
37:108  وتركنا عليه في الاخرين

The Bible says:

Jeremiah 51:33  Arabia has not yet met its threshold, and the time of her harvest shall come. [2]
Jeremiah 31:31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

Isaiah 41:8-13 GOD Almighty assures the House of Jacob that they are still loved and chosen by GOD Almighty.  “Do not be afraid (of this Servant).”  Never was this said to an Israelite Prophet. THE ENTIRE HOUSE OF JACOB were commanded to not be afraid of him, because he will be a NON-ISRAELITE Prophet.

Isaiah 41 and 42:6, 42:10-13 The Arabian Prophet will come from the people of Kedar with The New Covenant.  Read more...

For ample more passages, visit:

www.answering-christianity.com/predict.htm

The Pilgrimage to the House of GOD in Arabia Prophecy in the Bible:

The House of GOD Almighty in Arabia, and pilgrimage to It, was thoroughly prophesied in the Bible.

I also added the Zamzam and Climate Change Prophesies to the article [1].

3- Abraham had no child for almost 100 years. He was completely barren:

Abraham was very desperate for a son. Ishmael was the greatest gift from GOD Almighty to Abraham. This is why Abraham named him GOD finally Answered my Prayer. GOD Almighty put Abraham to the ultimate test by Commanding him to slaughter this precious son. Abraham obeyed GOD Almighty by attempting to slaughter his son, Ishmael. Ishmael too was true to his promise. He never resisted, nor disobeyed. He was willing to get slaughtered for the Will of Allah Almighty. GOD Almighty saved Ishmael at the last minute, and Commanded Abraham to slaughter a ram instead.

4- The corrupt Jewish books say it was Isaac:

But the name "ISHMAEL" really exposes their lies and gives it all away! The name clearly suggests that Abraham was MOST DESPERATE with Ishmael, and hence, Ishmael's test would‘ve been FAR GREATER than Isaac's. Isaac was the second son, and 13 years younger. The Jewish Law gives double the inheritance to the OLDEST SON when the father dies (Deuteronomy 21:17).

This is not a war between Ishmael and Isaac. In Islam, we honor all of the people of Israel's Prophets and Messengers of GOD Almighty. Peace be upon Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac. And peace be upon Hagar and Sara. Again, please visit:

Again, please visit: Ishmael was put on pause until the Israelites' Covenant passes. See slides 32-38. Both the Bible and Glorious Quran agree on this.

"El" in names as in Ishmael was common among the Jews. Is the GOD of Islam different? Allah Almighty allowed for His Holy Name to be shortened as "El" in Ishmael, and Lillah for Li-Allah in the Quran, as in Alhamdulillah in both Islam and Judaism.

5- Is Elohim Allah? [1, *] [2] [3]

The "im" in Hebrew is a majestic plural for GOD Almighty. The root Word is "Eloh". And the more original Jews such as Yemenites and others say Alohim or Alah-im. And when you yourself pronounce it, you do naturally pronounce it with a double "l": Allah. Jews do call Him: Allah-im. Aramaic-speaking people also call GOD Almighty Allah. See the following videos for Biblical references and proofs. Also, pre-Islamic Biblical archeological findings have GOD Almighty as "Allah". So the Original Holy Name for GOD Almighty is not Eloh. It is Allah! Eloh is a Hebrew dialect, which not all Hebrew speakers use anyway. Allah had always been the Original and Universal GOD Almighty even before birth of Judaism, and the existence Hebrew. And Hebrew is a developed language from Phoenician. See the following links:

(Click to play videos)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenician_alphabet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Hebrew

6- What about “EL”?

•"El" was a shortened name for Allah (ALIF, LAMED, LAMED, HEY) In Hebrew. Watch above vidoes. •Allah is also spelled out with ALIF, LAMED, LAMED, HEY in Hebrew to be GOD. •Allah Almighty allowed for shortening of His Holy Name and Titles for the Jews. This is where you get Ishmael, Garbriel, Ezekiel (short for Allah). This is also where you get Hallelujah, Netanyahu (short for Yahuwah, or Yahweh) •Islam also has shortened Name for Allah Almighty. –Alhamdulillah is short for Alhamdu li Allah. Visit:

What is the Wisdom of Islam? Allah Almighty allowed for customized Laws and Creeds for different groups of people.

•There is only one Religion with GOD, and that is Islam. But Islam was allowed to be customized for different groups of people, and in different times, languages, dialects, ages:

Noble Verse(s) 5:48

Yusuf Ali:

[005:048] To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;

Arabic (Read from right to left. Also, all png image files: [1] [2]):

‏‏5:48 وانزلنا اليك الكتاب بالحق مصدقا لما بين يديه من الكتاب ومهيمنا عليه فاحكم بينهم بما انزل الله ولاتتبع اهواءهم عما جاءك من الحق لكل جعلنا منكم شرعة ومنهاجا ولو شاء الله لجعلكم امة واحدة ولكن ليبلوكم فيما اتاكم فاستبقوا الخيرات الى الله مرجعكم جميعا فينبئكم بما كنتم فيه تختلفون

The black stone in Islam is NOT sacred!

Prophet Muhammad Said:

لهدم الكعبة حجرا حجرا أهون من قتل المسلم

"Demolishing the Kaaba completely is much easier upon Allah Almighty than shedding the blood of a single Believing Muslim." (Source)

So what is the black stone, and Why?

The black stone was a meteorite that was sent down by Allah Almighty to Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, peace be upon both of them, to give the precise location of where the Kaaba was to be built by them. We believe that Prophets Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba. The black stone is placed in one of the corners of the Kaaba, and it serves as a starting and ending point for the Circumambulation (tawaaf) 7 times around the Kaaba, which is also 100% supported in the Bible's previous Scriptures. All of Islam's Rituals are 100% supported by the previous Scriptures. Please visit:

http://www.answering-christianity.com/tawaaf_around_kaaba_supported_in_bible.htm

http://www.answering-christianity.com/que11.htm

http://www.answering-christianity.com/ac.htm

The Bible also called the path to Mecca "THE PATH OF HOLINESS".

Also visit: Prophet Muhammad thoroughly prophesied in the previous Scriptures, and even found in the Dead Sea Scrolls by his Prophetic Name.

The Bible's Sacred Idols praised by both GOD Almighty and Jesus:

The Bible's Winged Creatures Idols in the Holiest Temple are considered holy by both GOD Almighty and Jesus Christ!

How is bowing to the Kaaba IS NOT bowing to an idol, thus making Islam pagan???

The Scientific Miracle of the Black Stone (also confirmed by NASA):

An AUDIO file from Dr. Zaghlool Al-Najjar: The black stone was proven to be a Meteorite sent from space. Western Scientists have confirmed that the black stone, which resides near the Kaaba in the Holy City of Mecca, is an outside METEORITE OBJECT!

NASA'S CONFIRMATION:

""Stars" falling from the skies have been known since ancient times; rarely, stones are found that were tied to these "shooting stars". One such rock has been venerated by Islam (in its encased shrine in Mecca) for more than 1300 years. By the 19th Century, meteorites were identified correctly as samples from other parts of the Solar System. They are part of the nearly 500 tons of extraterrestrial rock material that reaches and enters the atmosphere each day. Most of that material is burned up by friction from the high speed of entry but meteoric dust can remain in the air and a very few individual blocks of material survive this passage to fall in the sea or on the ground as meteorites." (Source)

"The second city of Saudi Arabia is Mecca which contains the holiest shrine in Islam, a great plaza with a rectangular structure containing a meteorite that is considered to have fallen into the Muslim world directly from Heaven. Devout Muslims make the Hajj, a pilgrimage to this shrine required at least once in a lifetime. Here it is as seen in a Quickbird image:" (Source)

The shrine and part of Mecca.