Five main gates lead to the modern Holy Mosque. There are numerous other side gates along these five main gates. The gates bear the names of important people, events and locations through history. Originally there were no actual architectural installations as “gates”, only the passages to the al-Haram area, and these passages were named after tribes that lived nearby
Bab ‘Abdullah (باب عبد الله) is the central gateway to the expansion of the prayer area of King’ Abdullah to the northwest. This gate is the largest gate from the earlier expansion of Masjid al-Haram by King Fahad. The triple arched gate has two minarets. It is bordered by two tetra-arched smaller gates on each side. Masjid al-Haram currently has around 210 goals after the recent expansion of King ‘Abdullah.
The former architecture of Bab Fatah (winning gate, باب الفتح) is on the south side of the Haram complex. According to an unconfirmed tradition, it is the place from which the Prophet Muhammad entered Mecca on the day of the Meccan conquest, hence the name “Gate of Victory”. The gate was recently renovated under four other large gates.
Bab Ajyad (باب أجياد), gate no. 5
Bab Bilal (Gate of Bilal, Gate No. 6, باب بلال) is located on the south flank of Masjid al-Haram. It is named after the noble companion and Muazzin of the Prophet Muhammad Bilal ibn Rabaha al-Habashi.
Bab Ism’ail (Gate of Ismael, Gate No. 10, باب إسماعيل) is named after the Prophet Ismail, the son of the Prophet Ibrahim. It is a smaller gate on the south flank of Masjid al-Haram between Bab Hunain and Bab Hamzah.
Bab Safa (Safa Gate, no اب الصفا; Gate No. 12) is one of the five main gates of Masjid al-Haram. It is situated on the north side of the Masjid Haram complex. Today’s Bab e Safa offers direct access to the beginning of the Masa’a area. The modern Bab e Safa also offers access to the upper floors of the starting point of the Masa’a. Near the Jabl e Safa starting point, there is also a scooter service for the elderly who cannot walk Sai.
Last reconstruction of the Malik abd ul-Aziz gate (باب عبدالعزيز), gate No. 79, which is located on the Yemeni corner of the Masjid al-Haram complex opposite Ajyad Street. The latest reconstruction of the gate is a drastic departure from the typical architecture of Masjid al-Haram. Compared to its predecessor, the gate has clearly square features and looks more modern than the well-known Saudi architecture that developed from the Ottoman architecture of the Great Mosque.
Bab al-Umrah (Umrah Gate, باب العمرة) of Masjid al-Haram, a traditional Prophet Muhammad, traveled to Mecca in April 629 AD for the drive of Umrah (his last Umrah). During the expansion of the mosque by Malik ‘Abdullah, it is one of the gates to be renovated, following the example of Bab Malik. It offers direct access to the Mataf area from the northwest.
Bab al-Fahad (King Fahad Gate, باب الملك فهد) is located on the eastern edge of the al-Haram complex and offers access to the eastern outer prayer area of the mosque. It was installed during the second Saudi expansion project that was carried out between 1982 and 1988.
Bab Medina (Medina Gate, باب المدينة) is named after the city of Medina as it is located in the same direction.
Bab ul-Quds (باب القدس)
Bab al-Shamiyah (باب الشامية)
Bab al-Nidwah (باب الندوة)
Bab Umer (Omer Gate, باب عمر)
Bab Qureysh (Quraish Gate, باب قريش) is named after the Quraish tribe Mecca, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad. It is located at the north end of the Masa’a and gives access to the al-Marwah area.
Bab Mina (Mina Gate, باب منى)
Bab ‘Arafah (‘Arafat Gate, باب عرفات), gate no. 35
Bab al-Muhassib (Muhassib Gate, باب المحسب)
Bab al-Murad (باب المراد)
Bab al-Marwah (al-Marwah Gate, باب المروة) is named after the mountain al-Marwah and allows direct access to the Marwah area of Mas’a.
Bab al-Mud’ah (باب المدعي), gate no. 25, provides access to Massa (Say’ee, المسعى) ground floor
Bab al-Mu’alah (Mu’alah Gate, باب المعلى)
Bab al-Hujoon (al-Hujoon Gate, باب الحجون)
Baab-As-Salaam (Arabic باب السلام), pronounced as “bāb assalām”, is one of the gates in Masjid-al-Haram in Mecca-al-Mukkarammah. This expression in Arabic literally means “Gate of Peace”. This gate is located on the route between Mount Safa and Marwaah, closer to Mount Marwah. Also called the door of the sons of Sheybah (Bani Sheiba) in relation to Shaybah bin Othman, who lived near the Kaaba and was next to his house. The original Bab Bani Shaybah was located near the Kaaba.
Bab an-Nabi (Gate of the Prophet, باب النبي), No. 14, is named after the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet’s Gate is located on the east flank of the great mosque between Bab e Abi Qubais and Bab e ‘Ali. It is located near the al-Safa area. The Bab-an-Nabi Bridge (باب الجسر للنبي), Gate No. 15, provides access to the upper floors.
Bab ‘Abbas during the Ottoman era; (Gate of ‘Abbas, باب عباس), Gate No. 20, is called after the paternal uncle and companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib. It is located on the east flank of Masjid Haram between Bab e ‘Ali and Bab e Bani Shaybah and offers access to Mas’sa.
Bab Dar ul-Arqam (Gate of Arqam’s House, باب دار الارقم), Gate 16, the small portal on the right is Bab e ‘Ali. The Dar ul-Arqam Gate is situated in east of Masa’a and offers electric escalators to access the upper levels of the Sa’i Gallery. It is named after Arqam ibn Abi’l-Arqam (c. 597-675 AD), a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He was the owner of the house where the early Muslim community held its gatherings.
Bab ‘Ali (Gate of’ Ali, Gate No. 17, باب علي بن أبي طالب) on the eastern bank of the Sayee Gallery is also used for the funerals. It is named after Ali ibn abi Talib, the first Muslim to accept Islam and the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Bab e Ali is located on the east flank of the mosque between Bab e Nabi (Prophet’s Gate) and Bab e ‘Abbas. It offers access to the Ramal area of Mas’a.
Bab Bani Hashim (Gate of Bani Hashim, باب بني هاشم), gate no. 21
Bab Bani Shaybah, Gate 22, is a newer gate that gives access to the Masa’a area. This gate was originally located near Kaba as a free-standing arch. Bab Bani Sheiba is called after the Banu Shaiba tribe of Mecca, who are the main bearers of Ka’ba.
