The mosque is also called the Holy Mosque or the Haram Mosque. Its name in Arabic is al-Masjid al-Haram. The mosque includes a rectangular central courtyard surrounded by covered prayer areas. In the courtyard stands the Kaʿbah, which is made of gray stone and marble.

The pre-Islamic Kaaba housed the Black Stone and statues of pagan gods. Muhammad reportedly cleansed the Kaaba of idols upon his victorious return to Mecca, returning the shrine to the monotheism of Ibrahim. The Black Stone is believed to have been given to Ibrahim by the angel Gabriel and is revered by Muslims.

It is stated in the Qur'an that the Ka'ba (Mecca sacred mosque) was the first house that was built in Mecca city for humanity to worship Allah. Therefore, Mecca is the holiest city of Islam, and the goal of the annual Muslim hajj (pilgrimage).

The Great Mosque of Mecca, also called the Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the World, and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba, in the city of Makkah, Hijaz, Saudi Arabia. Muslims face in the Qiblah while performing Salah (obligatory daily prayers).