Makkah and Bakkah
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There are 2 names
for the city of Makkah mentioned in the Qur'an; Makkah مَكّه,
and Bakkah بكّه.
The scholars have
disputed over which is the official name for the city and which is
the nickname. However, brother Nouman Ali Khan explains that Makkah
is the stronger opinion – as the official name of the ancient city.
So where does the
word Bakkah come from?
It comes from the word بكك – Bakk – a meaning of Crowdedness/Overcrowding etc.
Amazingly, in the
Qur'an – Allah uses every word with a powerful wisdom. So that when
He uses the word Bakkah – He mentions it in the context of the
pilgrimage of Hajj (since Bakk signifies overcrowding [and the most
overcrowding there occurs during the Hajj pilgrimage season]);
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). [aal Imraan 3:96]
فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
[aal Imraan 3:97]
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