Masjid al-Taneem

Masjid al-Taneem, also known as Masjid Aisha, is an important historical mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah. It is a place where the people of Makkah enter Ihram, as did the Mother of Believers Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) as it is a Shariah boundary of the Haram. It is located on the northwestern side of Makkah al-Mukarramah. It welcomes worshipers year-round with its doors always open and has the capacity to accommodate 15,000 worshipers. Those who enter into Ihram for Umrah are said to have performed al-Taneem Umrah to distinguish it.

The mosque, al-Taneem, derives its name from its location situated between two mountains, Jabal Na'im to the right and Jabal Na'em to the left, within a valley known as Nu'man. It is also known as Masjid of the Mother of Believers Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) because it was constructed at the very site where she entered Ihram for Umrah during the Farewell Pilgrimage in 630 under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him (PBUH). It is also referred to as Masjid Umrah since many of the people of Makkah and visitors enter Ihram in this place.

Masjid al-Taneem occupies a rectangular plot of land situated on the outskirts of the Haram's border from the side of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. It encompasses, along with its facilities, an area of 84,000 m, with the mosque itself covering six thousand m. The mosque has two minarets, and a number of facilities are located nearby, such as parking areas for buses, taxis, and private cars, shaded courtyards, restrooms, water coolers, as well as shops selling specialized Ihram garments and essential supplies for Umrah pilgrims and visitors.

It stands 7.5 km to the north of the Grand Mosque, along the Makkah-Madinah road when traveling by car. What sets it apart is its architectural style, as well as massive windows and doors, as it merges the ancient historical architectural design with contemporary Arab-Islamic elements.

 The first person to construct the Mosque was the Emir of Makkah, Abu al-Abbas Abdullah Ibn Mohammed, during the rule of Caliph al-Mutawakkil al-Abbasi in 834. Subsequently, the mosque was demolished, leaving Umrah pilgrims to enter Ihram in the vacant area for some time. It was only later, in the era of the Saudi state, that the mosque was reconstructed during the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, costing about SAR100 million.