Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet ﷺsaid:“Do not undertake a religious journey but to three mosques: the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, and the Furthest Mosque in Jerusalem.”
(Bukhari andMuslim)
The mosques mentioned here are the three holiest mosques of the world, which are – Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah and Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. As per Islamic teachings, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained that the journey to these three mosques is the only one that Muslims must prepare for. They hold immeasurable significance in the history and culture of Islam.
Masjid al-Ḥarām, also known as the Great Mosque of Makkah, literally means ‘The Sacred Mosque’. It is the world’s largest mosque. During the pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah, millions of pilgrims gather in this mosque to pray at the Ka’ba and attain salvation.
The Masjid an-Nabawi, situated in Madinah, is also known as the Mosque of the Prophet. It is the second-largest and the second holiest mosque in the world.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, situated in the Old City of Jerusalem, is not only sacred for Muslims but for Jews and Christians too. As per Islamic teachings, Al-Aqsa is the second mosque built right after the Masjid al-Ḥarām located in Makkah. Al-Haram Al-Sharif, also referred to as the Noble Sanctuary, is a 3-acre compound area that houses the Al-Aqsa. Here, pilgrims also pay homage at the Dome of the Rock. It is also a source of major conflict between Palestine and Israel.