MeccaMecca (ˈmɛkə; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah) is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and is considered the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above sea level. Its last recorded population was 1,578,722 in 2015. Its estimated metro population in 2020 is 2.042 million, making it the third-most populated city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and Jeddah.
MuhammadMuhammad (مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. He is believed to be the Seal of the Prophets within Islam. Muhammad united Arabia into a single Muslim polity, with the Quran as well as his teachings and practices forming the basis of Islamic religious belief.
CaliphateA caliphate or khilāfah (خِلَافَة, xi'laːfah) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph (ˈkælɪf,_ˈkeɪ-; خَلِيفَة xæ'liː'fæh, ), a person considered a political-religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a leader of the entire Muslim world (ummah). Historically, the caliphates were polities based on Islam which developed into multi-ethnic trans-national empires.
Isha prayerThe Isha prayer (صلاة العشاء , "night prayer") is the last and fifth of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer). It is a four rak'ah prayer. The five daily prayers collectively are one pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, in Sunni Islam, and one of the ten Practices of the Religion (Furū al-Dīn) according to Shia Islam. In Persian it is known as نماز عشاء (Nemaze ʿišāʾ). In Kashmiri, it is known as Khoftan Nemaz. Likewise in Punjabi, it is called Khuftaan di namaz.
Fajr prayerThe Fajr prayer (صلاة الفجر DIN, "dawn prayer") is the first of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer), to be performed anytime starting from the moment of dawn, but not after sunrise (at least 1 to 1.5 hours before sunrise). The Isha prayer, which is the daily prayer directly before the Fajr prayer, usually does not take place after midnight (depending on location). The Fajr prayer is mentioned by name in the Quran at sura 24 (An-Nur) ayah 58.
Zuhr prayerThe Zuhr prayer (صَلَاة ٱلظُّهْر , "noon prayer") is the second of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer). It contains four units (rakaʿāt) and begins after the sun reaches its zenith. On Friday, the Zuhr prayer is replaced or preceded by Friday prayer which is obligatory for Muslim men who are above the age of puberty and meet certain requirements to pray in congregation either in a mosque or with a group of Muslims. The khutbah (sermon) is delivered by the imam. It is also transliterated Dhuhr, Duhr, Thuhr or Luhar.
RamadanRamadan (Ramaḍān ra.ma.dʕaːn; also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
ShahadaThe Shahada (Arabic: ٱلشَّهَادَةُ DIN aʃ.ʃa.haː.da, "the testimony"), also transliterated as Shahadah, is an Islamic oath and creed, and one of the Five Pillars of Islam and part of the Adhan. It reads: "I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." The Shahada declares belief in the oneness (tawhid) of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as God's messenger. Some Shias also include a statement of belief in the wilayat of Ali.
Maghrib prayerThe Maghrib prayer (صلاة المغرب , "vespers") is the fourth of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer). According to Sunni Muslims, the period for Maghrib prayer starts just after sunset, following Asr prayer, and ends at the beginning of night, the start of the Isha prayer. As for Shia Muslims, since they allow Maghrib and Isha prayers to be performed one after another, the period for Maghrib prayer extends until the midnight.
Asr prayerThe Asr prayer (صلاة العصر , "afternoon prayer") is the third of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer). The Asr prayer consists of four obligatory rakat. An additional four rakat are recommended to be performed before the obligatory rakat. As with Zuhr prayer, if it is performed in congregation, the imam is silent except when announcing the takbir, i'tidal, and taslim.
