8 Islamic Ziyarat Places To Visit in Taif

As an Islamic heritage researcher who’s documented Hijazi sites for 12 years, Taif’s spiritual landscapes still humble me.

Beyond the rose fields lie living monuments where the Prophet Muhammad PBUH sought refuge, companions walked, and early Muslims etched devotion in stone.

Join me beyond guidebooks to experience these sites’ souls.

1. Al-Madhoun Mosque (Al-Qantara Mosque) or Masjid Ali

• Ottoman-era sanctuary where the Prophet PBUH rested after persecution.

Built 162 years ago near the garden where Prophet Muhammad PBUH recovered after Taif’s rejection, this Abbasid-influenced mosque remains a vital ziyarat site. Its arched courtyard still offers the same solace he found beneath pomegranate trees.

Pro tip: Time your visit for sunset when the mihrab’s Ottoman tiles glow amber.

2. Masjid Addas: The Grapes of Mercy

• Where compassion triumphed over suffering

At this unmarked spot, the Christian slave Addas defied persecution to offer grapes to the wounded Prophet PBUH. Today’s simple mosque embodies that radical kindness.

Masjid Addas in Ta’if marks where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took refuge after being stoned by its people. Wounded, he rested in an orchard owned by Utbah and Shaybah.

Their slave, Addas, brought him grapes. When the Prophet said “Bismillah,” Addas recognized his truth and converted to Islam. The mosque commemorates this event.

Personal insight: Sitting where Addas stood, I learned compassion outlives monuments.

3. Al-Kou’ Mosque: The Prophet’s Trace

• Home to a stone bearing the Prophet’s PBUH imprint

Facing danger in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went to Taif for safety and to share Islam’s message. The people rejected him and sent crowds to stone him and his companion.

Badly injured and bleeding, he left Taif. He then found shelter in an orchard owned by two Makkan leaders, Utbah and Shaybah, where he rested under a tree.

Named “The Elbow” for the rock where Prophet Muhammad PBUH leaned during prayer, this 7th-century structure showcases early Islamic architectural humility.

Historical note: Caretakers preserve the stone behind the qibla wall – ask gently to view it.

4. Abdullah Ibn Abbas Mosque: Scholarly Sanctuary

• Tomb of the Prophet’s PBUH cousin – Islam’s “Sea of Knowledge”

The Abdullah Ibn Abbas Mosque in Taif is a historic site built around 630 CE, possibly replacing an ancient temple. It’s named after Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, a renowned scholar buried within its grounds (now near the women’s prayer hall). The mosque has been rebuilt many times:

• Reconstructed under Abbasids with a domed tomb for Ibn Abbas.
• Later fell into ruin; its tomb was destroyed (1813) then repaired.
• Demolished and rebuilt in 1958 without the tomb dome.
• Significantly expanded under Saudi kings.

Historically, it was a major Islamic learning center and holds graves of Ibn Abbas, Imam Muhammad bin Ali, and martyrs of Banu Thaqif.

In Taif’s heart lies Ibn Abbas, whose Quranic interpretations shaped Islamic scholarship. The complex’s blend of ancient foundations and modern expansions mirrors tradition’s evolution. Don’t miss: The Thursday night lectures on Ibn Abbas’ tafsir methodology.

5. Bani Saad Village: Cradle of Prophetic Childhood

• Where Halima Sa’diyah nurtured the young Prophet PBUH

Drive 75km south to stone houses where Prophet Muhammad PBUH spent his formative years.

Bani Saad Village in Taif’s Maysan Governorate is revered as the childhood home of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), where he lived with his foster mother Halima al-Sa’diyah from infancy to age five.

This period is marked by events like the first “Shaq Al Sadr” miracle. The area features unique ancient granite architecture, including mountain villages like Al-Kalada with interconnected houses and forts, alongside fertile valleys growing peaches, apricots, almonds, and grapes supported by historic dams.

Local context: Village elders recite oral histories of Halima’s care passed down 14 centuries.

6. Al-Kalada: Companion’s Legacy

• Home of Sahabi Al-Harith ibn Kaladah – the Physician

Al-Kalada, a heritage village in Bani Saad, Taif, is renowned for its unique traditional stone architecture. Built centuries ago on mountain peaks using local granite, its interconnected buildings include homes, silos, meeting halls, and a central mosque.

Two prominent multi-story defensive forts crown the village, historically vital for protection. Linked to the notable physician Al-Harith ibn Kalada, the village offers a glimpse into early Islamic-era life.

Walk through mud-brick compounds where the Prophet’s PBUH companion blended faith and medicine. His descendant Ahmad Al-Kalada (who I interviewed in 2023) still cultivates the family’s medicinal garden.

Healing tradition: Try black seed honey remedies at nearby shops.

7. Miqat Wadi Maharim (Qran al-Manazil)

• Where pilgrims enter sacred state – as the Prophet PBUH did

Miqat Wadi Muharram (or Maharim/Mahram), northwest of Taif, is a key boundary point where pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram before Hajj or Umrah. Located about 15 km from Taif center and 76 km from Makkah’s Grand Mosque, it primarily serves pilgrims from Najd (like Riyadh).

Often called the “upper Miqat” for Qarn al-Manazil in the same valley, it offers a well-equipped mosque with separate prayer halls, ablution facilities, and parking.

Stand where Prophet Muhammad PBUH donned ihram garments before Makkah. The mosque’s white minaret marks this spiritual transition point.

Ritual tip: Perform two rakahs at the exact ihram site before changing garments.

8. Wadi Al-Mihsab: Stones of Patience

• Valley where the Prophet PBUH endured persecution

Wadi Al-Mihsab (also known as al-Abtah or al-Ma’abdah) is a historic valley between Mina and Makkah, significant in Islamic history due to Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) frequent stops there.

He often paused for prayers and rest during journeys. Notably, he stayed here during his Farewell Hajj and camped after the Conquest of Makkah. This location held deep symbolism – it was where disbelievers once gathered to boycott his clan, Banu Hashim.

By choosing it after his victory, the Prophet demonstrated gratitude to Allah, transforming the site into a symbol of Muslim triumph over past persecution.

The name “al-Muhassab” relates to stones carried by water, while “al-Abtah” means a wide, flat area. Today, largely developed as part of Makkah (al-Ma’abdah), its historical importance remains recognized.

Among these boulders, Prophet Muhammad PBUH prayed for his persecutors: “O Allah! Guide my people…” The streambed stones still bear witness to divine mercy. Reflection: Place your hand where blood fell to feel history’s weight.

“Whoever visits Taif seeking knowledge, Allah eases their path” – Local proverb recorded by 9th century historian Al-Taifi

Support the officially authentic Islamic website.

Support our mission to spread Islamic knowledge. Your donation helps our volunteer writers and infrastructure. Contribute now.

One-Time ($2.99) Monthly ($1.99)