Jannat al-Mualla, the old cemetery of Makkah

What Jannat al-Mualla is

Saudipedia lists the cemetery, under the name Al-Ma’alah, as one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in Makkah. It is described as dating back to before Islam. It lies on the slopes of the hill known as Hajun, facing the Kaaba.

Islamic history records that many people from the Quraysh and other Makkan families were buried here. Among those named in Saudipedia are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Asma bint Abi Bakr, and al-Qasim, the Prophet’s son. Other sources, including the encyclopedia Wikipedia, also name members of the Prophet’s family from before the hijrah, such as his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib and his uncle Abu Talib.

In 1925 to 1926, the structures built over graves in the Hejaz were removed, and that included the Mualla cemetery. Today the graves are marked simply, and a long wall surrounds the site. We state this as history. Opinions about grave visiting differ, and we do not give a ruling.

Where it is and how far from the Haram

The cemetery is north of Masjid al-Haram, in the old part of Makkah, close to the area of Hajun.

Because it sits in a busy part of the city, road access around it can be restricted at prayer times. Your driver knows which side to approach from.

What visitors usually do there

Visitors usually stop for a short time. They look at the cemetery from the entrance or the road, make a short supplication, and move on. Many visitors come because of the link with Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her.

Why visitors come

Visitors come because the cemetery is part of the early history of Makkah. It was the burial ground of the Quraysh before Islam, and Islamic history records that people close to the Prophet were laid to rest here. For many, a quiet stop is a way to remember them and to make supplication. Others come simply to see the old city of Makkah from the edge of the Haram area. Whatever your reason, it is a place to visit calmly and without rushing.

Practical notes

• Respect. This is a cemetery. Keep your voice low and dress modestly.
• Photography. Check the signs. If you are unsure, do not photograph.
• Questions of practice. What is recommended when visiting graves is a question for a scholar or your group leader.

Masjid al-Jinn

Masjid al-Jinn is close to the cemetery. Discover Makkah places it in the Al-Hajun area, east of Al-Ma’la Cemetery, about 900 m north of Masjid al-Haram. The mosque dates from the early third century AH.

The name comes from the place where, according to the same source, the Prophet, peace be upon him, met a group of jinn who listened to his recitation of the Quran and pledged allegiance to him. Abdullah ibn Masud was with him, and the Prophet drew a line around him for protection. The mosque is also called Masjid al-Haras, and Masjid al-Bay’ah because the jinn pledged allegiance to the Prophet there. It was rebuilt in a modern Islamic style under King Fahd in 1421 AH (2001 CE). Discover Makkah lists it as open 24 hours.

Do not confuse it with Majlis al-Jinn cave in Oman, which is a different place with a similar name. Because the mosque and the cemetery are close together, we visit them on one stop. This is part of our four hour full ziyarat.

Which of our tours includes Jannat al-Mualla

Jannat al-Mualla and Masjid al-Jinn are part of the four hour full ziyarat on the page Makkah ziyarat taxi. They are not on the two hour ziyarat, which covers Jabal al-Nour, Jabal Thawr, Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat and Masjid Namirah. The four hour tour also adds a stop at Masjid Namirah, Masjid al-Khayf and the Jamarat at Mina, Masjid al-Mashar al-Haram, the Hira Cultural District, and optional Masjid Aisha for a second Umrah.

Fares are for the whole vehicle, in Saudi Riyal, with the return to your hotel included.

If you only want Jannat al-Mualla, the hourly hire rate is from SAR 80 an hour, with a minimum of three hours, and the vehicle waits for you. You pay the driver at the end, in cash in SAR or by bank transfer, with no deposit. See the whole list in the ziyarat hub, and the nearby Jabal al-Nour and Jabal Thawr.