Page 279 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

Places Mentioned in the Qur'an 277

the first time and revealed to him that He had chosen him for Himself.
It is the place where Prophet Musa, who noticed a fire and headed to-
wards the fire leaving his family behind, was called out by a voice
from out of the bush and was given miracles. The name of this holy
place is cited in the Qur'an in two verses:
I am your Lord. Take off your sandals. You are in the holy valley of
Tuwa. (Surah Ta Ha, 12)
When his Lord called out to him in the holy valley of Tuwa? (Surat
an-Nazi'at, 16)

MASJID AL-HARAM - THE SACRED HOUSE –
THE ANCIENT HOUSE – KA'BA
The Ka'ba is referred to in the Qur'an by different names, including
the Ancient House, the Sacred House and the Masjid al-Haram.
The House
And when Ibrahim built the foundations of the House with Isma'il:
'Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the All-Hearing, the All-Know-
ing. (Surat al-Baqara, 127)
Safa and Marwa are among the Landmarks of Allah, so anyone who
goes on hajj to the House or does 'umra incurs no wrong in going back
and forth between them. If anyone spontaneously does good, Allah is
All-Thankful, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara, 158)
The first House established for mankind was that at Bakka, a place
of blessing and a guidance for all beings. In it are Clear
Signs–Ibrahim's station (maqam). All who enter it are safe. Hajj to the
House is a duty owed to Allah by all mankind – those who can find a
way to do it. But if anyone disbelieves, Allah is Rich Beyond Need of
any being. (Surah Al 'Imran, 96-97)
And We located the position of the House for Ibrahim: 'Do not asso-
ciate anything with Me and purify My House for those who circle it,
and those who stand and bow and prostrate. (Surat al-Hajj, 26)
Masjid al-Haram
We have seen you looking up into heaven, turning this way and that,
so We will turn you towards a direction which will please you. Turn
your face, therefore, towards the Masjid al-Haram. Wherever you all