What is inside Makkah and Almadina cities?

Answer 1

Makkah: It is the house of Allah and has the Kaaba (a cuboid structure covered with cloth) in the centre where Muslims go around it anticlockwise for pilgrimage all the year around for Um-rah and once every year during Haj. It was built originally by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. It has the Black stone- Hajaar Aswad, which came from Paradise and was originally white but has now turned black from sins of mankind. Before Islam came Kaaba was used to store many Idols and statues which the pagans worshipped.

It has another structure close by which is Moqaam-e Ibrahim, which has the foot prints and stone where Prophet Abraham stood up to build the Kaaba. The rest of the building is an open building for prayers. It is one of the Holiest place in Islam.

Further to the right are the two mountains Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and again pilgrims have to go around 7 times during the Pilgrimage.

In the basement of the Masjid is the fountain Zam Zam which erupted in the desert near the heels of infant Ishmael, were it was struck by Angel Gabriel when he was crying due to thirst, and Hagar, the wife of the Prophet was running between the two mountains looking for help, and water. This is symbolised in the act of going between the mountains during pilgrimage.

Madina: This is the second Holiest place in Islam. It is the place where the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) lived when he arrived in Madina City after leaving Makkah. He built the the Masjid and used to conduct prayers, preach and meet the people who came to visit him.

It now has the grave of the Prophet where he was buried, along with two of his Companions Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA) who are laid next to him. The green dome on the building is where the Prophet is buried. The rest of the building is used for daily prayers.

Next to the Masjid is the graveyard called Jannat ul Baqi, where the Prophets, family and companions are buried. It had individual tombs but this was demolished by the Saudi Goverment. Muslims who go for Pilgrimage all come here to pay respects and salam to the Prophet, his family and his Companions.

Answer 2

• Inside Makkah (or Mecca) is the Kaaba surrounded by the Grand Mosque (or AlMasjid AlHaram)
  
• Inside AlMadina (or Medina) there is the Prophet Mosque (or AlNasjid AlNabawy)