Travel can also be a deeply spiritual experience. This is because we get to disconnect from our daily tasks, leaving our minds free to contemplate the deeper truths of life—truths that are profoundly spiritual and eye-opening. These feelings can be further exacerbated by the place we are in because some places are steeped in spirituality. Places that exemplify the divine, where believers can converge and be at peace.

Sacred Mosques Around the World

A mosque is the most spiritual place for a Muslim. It is where believers submit themselves to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Believers pray in congregation when the call to prayer is made. They can sit in the mosque and offer supplications or recite the Holy Quran. It is a place where one can connect to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ without getting distracted by the noise of the world outside.

Some mosques are especially sacred. A journey to these mosques can be a life-altering event. Included among these are:

● Masjid al-Haram (Asia)

Masjid al-Haram, also called the Holy Kaaba or Bayt-ul-Allah, is the holiest site in Islam. Located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Masjid al-Haram is visited by millions of Muslims all year round. Muslims perform Umrah and the annual Hajj at the site. Regarding the Holy Kaaba, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Holy Quran:

“The first House of God to be set up for men was at Bakkah the blessed, a guidance for the people of the world.” [3:96]

The verse highlights the significance of the Holy Kaaba in Islam. It also mentions how Masjid al-Haram was the first place of worship. According to Islamic belief, the Holy Kaaba was originally built by Hazrat Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). After the great flood, however, the mosque was destroyed, and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) later commanded Hazrat Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to construct the Holy Kaaba with the help of Hazrat Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

There is a Holy Kaaba in the heavens as well, right above the site of the Holy Kaaba on earth, called Bayt-ul-Mamur. Day and night, humans and angels circumambulate the Holy Kaaba. It is a place of peace and serenity. When we visit the Holy Kaaba and join thousands in worship, it is a unique feeling. The Muslim community unites to glorify Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ as a single unit. All distinction of nationality, ethnicity, and social and economic status is rendered inconsequential.

This is the power of the Most Sacred Mosque in Islam. The black cube has become a symbol of Muslim unity and submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. It is not just a place of worship, it is a place which Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ has designated as His House on this earth. It is the most spiritual place for Muslims in the world.

● Masjid al-Nabawi (ﷺ) (Asia)

The second most spiritual place without a doubt is the mosque of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). It is located in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and is frequently visited by pilgrims in addition to the Masjid al-Haram. The foundations of the mosque were laid in 622 AD, the first year of Hijri, when the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) moved to Madinah from Makkah.

The mosque is the second-largest place of worship for Muslims in the world. It has undergone several reconstruction and expansion projects over the years. Currently, the mosque consists of a huge structure with ten minarets, spacious courtyards, and the venerable green dome that is a distinguishing feature of Masjid al-Nabawi.

It is a place of peace and calm, symbolizing our beloved Holy Prophet (ﷺ), who was honored with the title of Rehmat-ul-Alameen (mercy for the worlds). Worshippers feel a sense of serenity as they pray to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ in a place where the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) lived and preached for over a decade.

● Masjid al-Aqsa (Asia)

Al-Aqsa Mosque holds a special place in the hearts of millions globally. This is due to the significance of the city and the place where it is located. A sacred place for the believers of all three Abrahamic faiths, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Al-Aqsa is as sacred as it is controversial since it is claimed by followers of all three faiths.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is mentioned in the Holy Quran in the following words:

“GLORY TO HIM who took His votary to a wide and open land from the Sacred Mosque (at Makkah) to the distant Mosque whose precincts We have blessed, that We may show him some of Our signs. Verily He is all-hearing and all-seeing.” [17:1]

The ‘distant’ mosque in the verse above refers to Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is where the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) was taken from Masjid ul-Haram. The capture of Jerusalem by the Muslims was a monumental occasion. Muslims fought against the Christians in the Crusades to secure control of Jerusalem. The city, not just the Al-Aqsa Mosque, holds a special place in the heart of every Muslim.

● Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Europe)

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is located in Turkiye. Its magnificent structure is rich with breathtaking beauty. It features intricate mosaics and stained-glass windows, a reminder that the mosque was the main cathedral of Constantinople. You can click here now to find out about other famous mosques in Europe.

The architecture features a unique combination of Byzantine and Muslim influences. While the mosque was turned into a museum, its status as a place of worship has been restored. Non-Muslim visitors can also visit and marvel at the beauty of Hagia Sophia and learn about its contentious history.

● Great Mosque of Djenne (Africa)

The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali is a UNESCO World Heritage site, just like Hagia Sophia and the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. The original building of the mosque dates back to the 13th century. The mosque is not just a standout piece of architecture in Mali, but in the whole of Africa. It is made of sunbaked bricks along with earth and sand mortar consolidated by a layer of plaster.

The imposing structure is a center of religious and cultural life. Every year, inhabitants of Djenne gather together to repair the structure, and the event is marked by festivities accompanied by food and music.

● Islamic Center of America (North America)

The largest mosque in the US, the Islamic Center of America, is located in Dearborn, Michigan. The mosque provides a place of worship, research, and learning for Muslims across the US and beyond. The beauty of the center is that it welcomes Muslims from both Sunni and Shia denominations and acts as a unifying force within the community.

● King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center (South America)

The largest mosque in South America, the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center, is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Much like the Islamic Center of America, the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center doesn’t just provide a place of worship to the believers but also a center for learning. It is culturally significant for the Muslim community residing in the country as the center holds sporting events and other social gatherings to encourage socialization and uplift Muslims in the area.