Jabal Al-abu Qubais

/ Places Of Visit And Sacred Sites In Medina / Yazan


Jabal al-Abu Qubais, a revered mountain, stands about 100 meters east of the Kaaba atop Safa Hill, reaching an elevation of 420 meters. This mountain holds significant historical and spiritual importance, although today it is the site of a hotel. Even before the advent of Islam, the people of Mecca considered Jabal al-Abu Qubais sacred. Devout individuals from Mecca would climb this mountain for spiritual retreats. During a crucial moment when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was returning from Ta’if to Mecca, an angel appeared to him, indicating the mountains of Abu Qubais and Kuaykian. The angel offered to unite these two mountains over the people of Mecca, but the Prophet expressed his wish for Allah to raise among the Meccans those who would worship Him alone, free from associating any partners.

The name “Abu Qubais” carries various attributions:

  1. Adam (AS) is believed to have taken the first fire (symbolizing the Kaaba) from this mountain.
  2. Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone) is said to have been taken from here.
  3. The name may have originated from the tribe of Iyad or Mezhic, who attempted to construct a building on this mountain.

Several historical events are associated with Jabal al-Abu Qubais:

  1. From Noah’s flood until Prophet Ibrahim’s era (AS), Hajar al-Aswad was preserved at the peak of this mountain.
  2. The miracle of splitting the moon (Shak al-Qamar) occurred over this mountain, marked by the construction of Masjid Inshiqak al-Qamar, later removed during the expansion of Masjid al-Haram.
  3. Prophet Ibrahim (AS), following Allah’s command to proclaim Hajj, invited people to pilgrimage from the summit of this mountain.
  4. Adam (AS) is said to be buried here after his demise.
  5. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prayed here, leading to the construction of a mosque on the site.
  6. During the conquest of Mecca, Bilal ibn Rabah recited the call to prayer (adhan) from this mountain.

Until the 1980s, “Masjid Ibrahim” existed on top of Jabal al-Abu Qubais, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s declaration of Hajj and the prayers of Prophet Muhammad. However, the entire mountain was later repurposed, including the construction of tunnels connecting Aziziye and Mina to the Haram al-Sharif complex.