Islam Holy places

kaaba in mecca @ night

the 3 holiest sites in islam masjid al-haram, or grand mosque, (in mecca) ; al-masjid al-nabawi, or prophet s mosque, (in medina)and al-aqsa mosque in jerusalem. every year millions of muslims on world visit masjid al-haram , al-masjid al-nabawi perform hajj. muslims required, if physically able, undertake pilgrimage mecca @ least once in 1 s life: recommended possible, preferably once year. individuals financial position , health severely insufficient exempt making hajj (e.g. if making hajj put stress on 1 s financial situation, not end in homelessness or starvation, still required). during pilgrimage, muslims spend 3 7 days in worship, performing several strictly-defined rituals, notably circumnavigating qaaba among millions of other muslims , stoning of devil @ mina. @ end of hajj, heads of men shaved, sheep , other halal animals, notably camels, slaughtered ritual sacrifice bleeding out @ neck according strictly-prescribed ritual slaughter method similar jewish kashrut, commemorate moment when, according islamic tradition, allah replaced abraham s son ishmael (contrasted judaeo-christian tradition isaac intended sacrifice) sheep, thereby preventing human sacrifice. meat these animals distributed locally needy muslims, neighbors , relatives.

the next 2 holiest sites in shia islam imam ali mosque , imam husayn shrine.