This document provides a pictorial summary of various holy Islamic sites visited in the Middle East, including graves of prophets and companions of the prophet Muhammad. Some key locations mentioned are the Cave of Ashabe-kahf in Jordan where Christian boys slept for 300 years to escape persecution, the sites of early Muslim battles like Mu'ta where Khalid ibn al-Walid first led Muslim armies, and important mosques in Damascus and Jerusalem like the Omayyad Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque built at the site of Muhammad's night journey. Many tombs of prophets are also shown, such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

1. Middle-East tour
A & R Chohan
(2008)
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2. This presentation gives a
pictorial record of holy
Islamic sites we visited
during trips to the MiddleEast.
It is intended to raise more
awareness among muslims
of our history and heritage.
The locations of graves of
Prophets and Sahabah are
shown only for information
purposes.
Please note that apart from
the major sites all other
places are not 100% proved
to be genuine; the
knowledge of these places
have been carried down the
ages.
Allah (swt) knows best.
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3. Jordan
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4. Cave of Ashabe-kahf, Amman
Where several Christian boys sought refuge from
a tyrannical pagan king. Allah (swt) caused
them to sleep for approximately 309 years. Their
story is mentioned in the holy Quran in Surah
Kahf.
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5. Place of Mu’ta
Where the muslims first fought against the
Romans. The graves of 3 sahabah, Zaid bin
Haritha, Jafar bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin
Rawahah (r.a.) are here. It was in this battle
Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (Saifullah – the sword
of Allah) first became amir of a muslim army.
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6. Tomb of Hazrat Shoayb (a.s.)
There is a grave in this mosque which is believed
to be the grave of Hazrat Shoayb (a.s.). He was
the father-in-law of Hazrat Musa (a.s.) and was
sent to the people of Madyan.
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7. The Treasury, Petra.
This is one of a series of buildings built by the
Nabateans who followed a pagan religion. Some
scholars are of the opinion that they were the
people of Thamud.
The holes in the walls are footholds which they
used for positioning while they carved into the
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8. Tomb of Harun (as), Petra.
The white building on top of this mountain is
believed to house the tomb of Hazrat Harun (a.s.)
who was the brother of Hazrat Musa (a.s.). It is
close to the valley of Petra.
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9. Syria
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10. Omayyad mosque, Damascus.
This mosque is one of the largest and oldest
mosques in the world. Originally the site was a
pagan temple, then a church before the mosque
was built by Caliph Al-Walid 1 between 706 and
715.
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11. Omayyad mosque, Damascus.
This minaret, which is on the left side of the
mosque is known as the Jesus minaret. It is from
here that Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will descend back on
earth towards the end of time.
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12. Shrine of Yahya (a.s.), Damascus,
Legend has it that this small structure within the
Omayyad mosque houses the head of Hazrat
Yahya (a.s.) (John the Baptist).
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13. Grave of Salahuddin Ayyubi,
Damascus
The green tomb on the right houses the grave of
Salahuddin Ayyubi, the great general who
repelled the Crusaders and recaptured Jerusalem
for the muslims.
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14. Grave of Khalid bin Waleed (r.a.)
Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (r.a.), the companion
of Rasulullah (s.a.w.) and the greatest muslim
general is buried along with his son in a corner of
this mosque in Hims.
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15. Monastery of Bahira the monk
This ruin was the monastery of Bahira, a righteous
Christian monk who was aware of the coming of a
great prophet. When the prophet Muhammed (saw)
was between nine and twelve years old he
accompanied his uncle Abu Talib to a business trip
to Syria. Bahira saw a cloud giving constant shade
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to the prophet and recognised him to be the one

16. Krak de Chevalier, near Hims
This is the interior of Krak de Chevalier castle,
the best preserved Crusader castle in the world.
Salahuddin Ayyuby laid siege to it but was
unable to conquer it. It was eventually taken
from the Crusaders by Sultan Baybers.
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17. Palestine
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18. Front view of Masjid-e-Aqsa
The name ‘Al-Aqsa mosque’ translates to ‘the
farthest mosque’ and is the 3 rd most holy place for
muslims. It was here that in around 621 AD the
prophet Muhammed (saw) came on the night
journey from Mecca riding on the Buraq. Note that
the whole land on which the mosque is located is
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regarded as sacred to muslims and known as

19. The mihrab of Masjid-e-Aqsa
This marble structure is the mihrab of the present
al-aqsa mosque. The mimbar on the right was
given by the Jordanian government after the
original (which was given by Salahuddin Ayyubi)
was destroyed in a fire started by a fanatical jew
in 1967.
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20. The original qiblah, Masjid-eAqsa
The floor underneath the present mosque is
regarded to be the real al-aqsa mosque. This area
underground is believed to be the original qibla
to where muslims initially prayed. It is in the
opposite direction of the present qibla in Mecca.
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21. Underneath the present mosque
The stone pillars on the right are believed to have
been erected by jinnat in the time of Hazrat
Sulaiman (a.s.). The small mihrab is believed to be
the place where Mariam (a.s.) used to receive out
of season fruits when she was pregnant with
Hazrat Isa (a.s.).
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22. Marwan-e-masjid
This praying area, which is underground and on
the left side of the present al-aqsa mosque was the
Marwan-e-masjid and has recently been restored.
When the Crusaders had control of the mosque
they used to use this area as stables for their
horses and it became known as Solomon’s stables.
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23. Dome of the rock, Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock (Qubbatus Saqqara) is often
mistaken to be the Al-Aqsa mosque. This
structure was built by Caliph Abd al-Malik from
688 to 691 and houses the sacred rock from which
the prophet Muhammed (saw) ascended to heaven
after the night journey to Jerusalem.
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24. Interior of Dome of the Rock
This is the actual rock in the foreground and a
cave exists underneath it. It is the opinion of
some scholars that the angel Israfeel (a.s.) will
blow the soor (trumpet) from this place to herald
the Day of Judgement.
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25. Buraq masjid
This small structure, on the right of the al-aqsa
mosque is believed to be the place where the
prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) tied the buraq, the
winged riding animal upon which he rode during
the night of ascension. The western wall which is
on the right is what the jews call the Wailing
Wall.
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26. Crusader cross (on Haram
Sharief)
This is the remains of the cross on which the
Crusaders, upon conquering Jerusalem,
slaughtered thousands of the resident muslims on.
It was broken up when Salahuddin Ayyubi reconquered the city.
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27. Masjid-e-Khalil, Hebron
Masjid-e-Kalil in Hebron is built over a small
cemetery where lies the graves of four of the most
illustrious prophets and their wives. The four
prophets are Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.), his son Isaaq
(a.s.), his son Yaqub (a.s.) and his son Yusuf (a.s.).
A view down to the cemetery can be seen from the
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small circular structure above.

28. Tomb of Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.)
This is the tomb of Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.) which is
built directly above his actual grave which is
below ground. On the far side are the windows
from the jewish synagogue which is built right
next to the mosque. This place is a source of great
friction between muslims and jews.
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29. Tomb of Hazrat Isaaq (a.s.),
Hebron
These are the tombs of Hazrat Isaaq (a.s.) (right) and
his wife Rifaqah (left) and are directly over their
graves which are below ground. These tombs are on
the muslim side along with Sarah (a.s.), one of the
wives of Ebrahim (a.s.). The tombs of Hazrat Yaqub
and Yusuf (a.s.) are on the jewish side. Jews and
muslims are allowed to enter the others area for 1029

30. Mosque of Hazrat Yunus (a.s.)
The grave of Hazrat Yunus (a.s.) is housed inside
this mosque, not far from Jerusalem.
Occasionally, Jews come to visit also.
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31. Grave of Abdullah bin Masood
(r.a.)
This small structure (close to the mosque of Yunus
a.s.) contains the grave of Hazrat Abdullah bin
Masood (r.a.); one of the most eminent
companions of Rasulullah (s.a.w.). The olive tree
on the left is believed to be more than 1400 years
old.
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32. Church of the Nativity,
Bethlehem
It is believed by the Christians that Hazrat Isa
(a.s.) was born in this place. A marble floor
(inset) denotes the exact spot.
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33. Tomb of Hazrat Lut (a.s.)
This building on the right houses a tomb which is
believed to be of Hazrat Lut (a.s.) and is situated
near the Dead Sea.
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34. A & R Chohan (2008)
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