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Na’man Valley extends 161 km from the heights of the Al-Sarawat Mountains to the coastal plain, combining rare mountainous and coastal environments.

From Al-Hada to the Red Sea

One of Na’man Valley's tributaries, the Valley of Ibrahim is considered one of the natural landmarks around which the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was founded, lending the valley a religious and historical dimension.

The Valley of Ibrahim Al-Khalil: The Silent Witness

From Ya'raj to 'Urnah, and from Majarish to Rahjan, dozens of small valleys converge to feed the mother valley in a rich and complex natural scene.

Tributaries Nourishing the Flow of Life

Studies reveal that Na’man Valley and Fatima Valley once formed a single network, before Fatima separated and turned north, a fact confirmed by geological deposits.

From Unity to Separation: A Tale of Two Valleys

The terminus of Na’man Valley varies between interruption in the coastal plain or reaching the sea, depending on the intensity of the torrents, making it one of the most mysterious and changeable valleys.

The Changeable Valley: Sea or Mirage?

Ancient Natural Site

Na’man Valley is located in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its upper courses begin on the western slope of the Al-Sarawat and Hijaz mountains, specifically in the area situated between the south of Jabal Habla and the Al-Hada region, at an altitude exceeding 2,300 meters above sea level. From this point, the watershed divide is formed between it and the upper tributaries of the Al-Yamaniyyah – Fatima Valley, represented by the valleys of Al-Sharqah, Muharram, and Al-Ghudairayn.The valley is nourished by several main tributaries: from the right side, the valleys of Ya&#039;raj, Bani Hasan, and &#039;Urnah flow into it; and from the left side, the valleys of Majarish, &#039;Ar&#039;ar, and Rahjan, in addition to other minor tributaries, most notably the Valley of Ibrahim Al-Khalil, around which the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was founded.The valley continues its course down towards the coastal plain where its flow pattern changes depending on the intensity of the torrents; it may vanish before reaching the sea or continue to the estuary in rainy seasons. The total length of Na’man Valley is about 161 kilometers.Geological studies show that Na’man Valley was originally part of a single water network with Fatima Valley, before the latter&#039;s course changed and turned north. The deltaic deposits of Na’man Valley are evidence of this common origin, as they contain rocks of the Fatima Formation which appear only in the lower basin of the valley.

Na’man Valley is considered one of the major valleys in the western Kingdom; its upper courses originate from the Al-Sarawat Mountains and pass through the Al-Hada region on their way towards Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It is fed by several important sub-valleys, and the sedimentary formations at its terminus show geological evidence suggesting a common origin with Fatima Valley.

Nature's Conduit Between Al-Hada and Makkah

Na’man Valley

With thousands of discovered pieces, the valley is considered one of the most prominent sites documenting the beginnings of human habitation in the Arabian Peninsula.

Wadi Fatimah... An Open Museum of Stone Tools

The similarity of tools between Wadi Fatimah and Wadi Saffaqah in Al-Dawadmi reflects a unity of style and technique in the Middle Acheulean period.

From Saffaqah to Fatimah... Similarity of Beginnings

The discovered tools point to a comprehensive life of hunting, butchering, food preparation, and plant gathering over 200,000 years ago.

The Early Hunter-Gatherer Community

The valley's length of 225 km and its numerous tributaries made it a fertile environment for human settlement in prehistoric periods.

Geography Serving History

The abundance of rocks like andesite and rhyolite on the northern side of the valley provided raw materials for stone tool manufacturing, unlike the southern side composed of granite.

The Mountains as a Source of Tools

Stone Age

Wadi Fatimah is located about 35 kilometers northwest of Makkah and extends for a length of up to 225 kilometers, running from the Arabian Shield mountains northeast of Makkah until it empties into the Red Sea at Al-Khumrah, south of Jeddah. It is surrounded to the north and south by the Fatimah mountain range, which features basaltic, granitic, and dioritic formations.The valley is one of the largest in the Makkah region and the richest in lithic finds, as 32 archaeological sites were discovered containing more than 2,227 stone tools dating back to the Middle Acheulean period.These tools varied, including hand axes, cleavers, picks, discoidal and bifacial tools, scrapers, knives, drills, and hammers, indicating that the valley&#039;s inhabitants engaged in multiple activities such as food preparation, butchering and skinning, stone tool manufacturing, and plant gathering.The Acheulean sites in Wadi Fatimah were classified into three categories: sites for food preparation and non-lithic tool manufacturing, others for lithic tool manufacturing and butchering and skinning activities, and a third for plant gathering.The techniques of the tools discovered here are similar to those found at the Saffaqah site in Al-Dawadmi, dating them back to the Middle Acheulean period, approximately 200,000 years ago.Geological and climatic studies indicate that the region enjoyed abundant water and favorable natural conditions during that period, which allowed for the settlement of a hunter-gatherer community.Geologically, the valley is fed by Wadi Al-Shamiyyah and Wadi Al-Yamaniyyah, which meet at the village of Sulah to form a main channel. Wadi Hawra, coming from Harrat Rahat, also joins them before Wadi Fatimah heads west towards the Red Sea, connected to other wadi systems like Wadi Nu&#039;man and Wadi Al-Hamd.

Wadi Fatimah is considered one of the richest archaeological valleys in Makkah, with evidence of human settlement dating back over 200,000 years, as revealed by stone tools from the Middle Acheulean period. It is also distinguished by its natural extension towards the Red Sea via its network of tributaries.

Over 200,000 Years of Human Memory

Wadi Fatimah

People knew it historically as Al-Mughammas Valley, but its name recently changed to "The Green Valley," while its memory remains engraved in the Quran and history.

From "Al-Mughammas" to "The Green Valley"

It is believed that Abrahah's army, which set out to demolish the Kaaba, was wiped out in this valley after Allah sent upon them flocks of birds (Ababeel) striking them with stones of Sijjil, in an eternal Quranic miracle.

Where the Army of the Elephant Perished

Al-Mughammas Valley connects Arafat and Hunayn Valley, situated amidst a mountainous network, which made it a natural passage for armies and caravans throughout history.

A Strategic Location Between Makkah and Hunayn

The name of this valley is recalled upon reciting Surah Al-Fil, linking it to the greatest event preceding the mission of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), making it one of the sites that combined geography, prophecy, and religion.

Al-Mughammas in the Quran and History

Pre-Islamic Period

Al-Mughammas Valley, or as it is known today, &quot;The Green Valley,&quot; is located northeast of Arafat and extends to connect with Hunayn Valley. Prominent topography surrounds it from all directions: to the north are Mount Al-Sifah, Asfal Hunayn, and Laban Al-Asfal; to the south is Arafat; to the east are Sa&#039;d and Kabkab Mountains; and to the west are Al-Tarqi, Al-Khatm, and Sila&#039; Mountains.This valley gained great historical and religious status after it was narrated that the army of Abrahah Al-Ashram, the Abyssinian, passed through it while heading to destroy the Holy Kaaba in 571 AD. It is mentioned that Allah crashed that army in this valley, and the meaning of the verses (that confirm this event) is found in Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant):﴾Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance? And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw. ﴿This pivotal event, which preceded the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), established Al-Mughammas Valley as an eternal religious and historical landmark, symbolizing Allah&#039;s protection of His Sacred House from aggression, and immortalizing one of the miracles of pre-Islam divine intervention in the history of the Arabs.

Al-Mughammas Valley, known today as "The Green Valley," is located northeast of Arafat. It derives its historical significance from its association with the Year of the Elephant incident in 571 AD, when Abrahah intended to demolish the Kaaba, and his army perished at this very location, as mentioned in the Holy Quran.

A Silent Landmark Recounting the Story of the Elephant and the Meccan Sanctuary

Al-Mughammas Valley

The inscriptions show that some early Muslims adopted rock as a tablet on which they wrote their names, wisdom, and Quranic verses, as if it were a message to those who would pass after them.

On the Rocks, the Script Was Born

The valley is located near Arafat, one of the greatest rituals of Hajj, spiritually linking the inscriptions to a geographical site with a unique religious status in Islam.

From the Spirit of Makkah... to the Mountains of Arafah

The two inscriptions, dated 84 AH and 189 AH, represent rare documentation of the evolution of early Islamic Arabic calligraphy, allowing for a precise reading of time on a silent stone.

Forgotten Dates Precisely Engraved

These inscriptions are not merely visual ornamentation, but an expression of the thought and soul of a Muslim individual, and his ability to record faith, contemplation, and identity with a few words on rock.

Wisdom, Quran, and Identity

Early Islamic Period

Wadi Al-Hurman is located parallel to Arafat from the northeast side and is considered one of the rare sites that combine religious expression, poetic wisdom, and personal documentation on natural rocks that have remained steadfast since the dawn of the Islamic era.The valley includes several plateaus inscribed with early Islamic inscriptions, most of which are undated. However, archaeological researchers found two dated inscriptions: one dating back to 84 AH/703 CE, and the second to 189 AH/805 CE.The content of the inscriptions varies between names of figures from that time, verses from the Holy Quran, and poetry verses carrying themes of wisdom and admonition.Wadi Al-Hurman embodies a living memory of the beginnings of Islamic writing where inscription was not merely documentation, but a means of spiritual and personal expression, and perhaps a way of communicating with time and place.

Wadi Al-Hurman is an archaeological site northeast of Arafah, featuring plateaus inscribed with early Islamic inscriptions, including names, poetry verses, and Quranic verses, dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AH.

Voices from Early Islam

Wadi Al-Hurman

Family-friendly

In the heart of the valley, a permanent pool flows amidst the rocks, standing witness to hundreds of years of transit, settlement, and remembrance.

A Pool That Never Dries

Inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century AH were found on the rocks of the Ghadir, in which the name Urwah bin Abdullah bin Abi Asim is repeated, lending the valley a rare personal and human character.

An Inscription in the Rock... With an Unforgettable Name

Ghadir Al-Banat is situated in a natural area at the confluence of Wadi Khumas and Wadi Ardhah, giving it a distinctive geographical location that made it an important water resource in the past.

At the Confluence of the Two Valleys

The Ghadir represents a rare blend of two elements: permanent water and silent inscription. It remains a witness to a personal moment from early Islamic history.

The Memory of Water and Stone

Abbasid Period

Ghadir Al-Banat is situated approximately 8 kilometers southeast of Taif, at the confluence of Wadi Khumas and Wadi Ardhah. In this small, quiet location, there is a permanent water pool that retains its water throughout the year, indicating the valley&#039;s importance as a water and settlement resource throughout the ages.What distinguishes this Ghadir is that it does not rely solely on its natural beauty, but also hosts a collection of written inscriptions on its rocks dating back to the 2nd century AH (9th century CE), which is about a century and a half after the Prophet&#039;s mission.The name &quot;Urwah bin Abdullah bin Abi Asim&quot; is repeatedly found in these inscriptions, indicating a personal or tribal presence that endured or was imprinted upon this location.Despite its small size, Ghadir Al-Banat preserves a silent testimony from the early Islamic eras, blending geography, history, and individual identity.

Ghadir Al-Banat is a small valley located southeast of Taif, characterized by a permanent water pool (Ghadir) and inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century AH, making it a site that combines a stable nature and historical memory.

Ghadir Al-Banat

Athr

Ashm became famous for its gold mine, and its reputation spread in early Islamic sources, making it one of Tihamah’s wealthiest settlements economically.

Ashm... A City of Gold

Ashm contains religious buildings and civil dwellings, in addition to military fortifications, indicating a prominent strategic and demographic status.

Religious, Civil, and Military Architecture

The 130 tombstones discovered at the site highlight the social and cultural structure of the city, providing historians with a precise chronology of the location's transformations.

Tombstones Narrating Life and Death

The presence of sites for grinding and processing minerals, alongside bricks and stones, reflects an active economic life based on industry and mining.

Grinding, Smelting, and Engraving

Ashm is located approximately 65 km northeast of Al-Qunfudhah Governorate and 20 km from Al-Mudhaylif village. It is considered one of the most important defunct archaeological cities in Tihamah, and its ruins remain visible, containing remnants of religious, civil, and military buildings, alongside mining and grinding sites.Among the site’s most prominent features is the famous Ashm Gold Mine, mentioned in historical sources since pre-Islamic times, and considered one of the oldest mining sites in the Arabian Peninsula.More than 130 tombstones, dating back to the period between the first and fifth Hijri centuries, reveal an integrated society that was culturally and economically active.Evidence suggests that the city began to decline in the late fifth Hijri century, and its lights were extinguished with the beginning of the sixth, leaving behind ruins filled with secrets, inscriptions, and buried gold.

Ashm is a defunct archaeological settlement located northeast of Al-Qunfudhah. It was a thriving city religiously, civilly, and militarily, famous for its gold mine known since pre-Islamic times. More than 130 tombstones have been found there, suggesting its demise occurred between the late fifth and early sixth Hijri centuries.

The Golden City Whose Lights Were Extinguished

Ashm

Usfan is located on one of the most important historic routes in the Arabian Peninsula, which connected Makkah and Madinah, establishing the valley as a potential stop for temporary settlement.

On the Caravan Route

The pottery and ceramic shards scattered throughout the defunct settlement in northern Usfan illustrate the passage of multiple civilizational periods from the Islamic eras.

Shards from Every Era

The absence of standing buildings does not signify a lack of life, but rather points to a simple or temporary pattern of settlement, possibly linked to trade and Hajj traffic.

Temporary Settlement or Established Community?

The importance of Usfan lies not only in its antiquities but also in its geographical location, which was and continues to be a link between the two Holy Mosques.

A Valley at the Heart of Islamic Geography

Iron Age II

Usfan Valley is situated on the historic route between Makkah and Madinah, approximately 110 kilometers north of Makkah.It is regarded as a site of geographical and historical importance, as it was part of the routes used by pilgrims and commercial caravans. The routes linked the two Holy Mosques since the dawn of Islam.In the northern part of the valley, there is a defunct settlement whose remains are still scattered across the ground. These remnants consist of pottery shards dating back to various Islamic periods and ceramic shards indicating the presence of architecture or relatively sophisticated living activity.Although there are no obvious architectural details, these material pieces of evidence reveal an established residential life in the early or subsequent Islamic eras, making Usfan a potential rest stop or temporary settlement on the road between Makkah and Madinah.

Usfan is a valley located north of Makkah, along the caravan route to Madinah. Its northern part contains a defunct settlement, across the surface of which are scattered pottery and ceramic shards dating back to successive Islamic eras.

The Memory of the Land Traversed by Caravans

Usfan

A large pond with a circular design and an organized entrance reflecting precise planning for water storage to serve passersby, especially pilgrims.

Shi'r Pond: Engineering Serving Caravans

An ancient stone dam that functions to collect rainwater and direct it for utilization represents one of the earliest examples of small dams in the region.

Hubeis Dam: Guardian of the Floods

The presence of two opposing wells, each 5 meters deep, reinforces the site's reliability as a water supply station on the pilgrimage route or for trade caravans.

The Dual Well: A Perpetual Resource

Shi&#039;r is located about 25 km northeast of Al-Maslah, and was historically known as &quot;Khubara Al-Haj&quot;, which suggests its use as a station for pilgrims traveling from the east towards the Hijaz.Among the site&#039;s most notable features is a circular water pond with a diameter of about 30 meters. It includes three entrances, comprising a staircase and two main passages, indicating a well-engineered structure for collecting and distributing water.About 12 kilometers northeast of the pond lies an ancient stone dam known as &quot;Hubeis Dam,&quot; built to retain seasonal floodwaters. To the west of the dam. There are two circular stone-lined wells, each measuring 1.80 meters in diameter, with water depths reaching about 5 meters.These elements collectively indicate the presence of an integrated water system that served pilgrims and travelers, granting the site high functional and historical value.

Shi'r, formerly known as "Khubara Al-Haj," is an archaeological site located northeast of Al-Maslah. It features a circular water pond dating back to an ancient system for serving pilgrims, a stone dam known as "Hubeis Dam," and two circular stone-lined wells.

The Pilgrim’s Pond and Hubeis Dam

Shi'r

Souq Okaz was one of the greatest Arab markets, established in the fifth century CE northeast of Taif, combining trade, poetry, and politics to become a platform for acquaintance and boasting among tribes.

The Arabs' First Gathering Place

Caravans headed to it from all over the Peninsula, laden with valuable goods, and everything the Arabs needed was sold there without taxes or tithes, which boosted its economic importance.

The Hub of Arab Trade

Okaz was famous for being an arena for poetic competition and oratory where poets would ascend the pulpits before judges and audiences, ensuring their poems remained a source of pride passed down among tribes.

The Pulpit for Poets and Literati

Souq Okaz was not just a market; it was a major media forum where news was exchanged between tribes, and treaties, covenants, and agreements were concluded.

The Forum for Media and Politics

The market lasted for about three centuries until it vanished after the Kharijite invasion in 129 AH/747 CE, yet it remained present in heritage books as the most important and famous of the Arab markets.

In the Memory of History

The market was revived in 2006 CE as an annual festival in Taif, celebrating the Arab literary and commercial legacy in an authentic cultural and heritage atmosphere.

The Modern Okaz Festival

The festival includes the "Poet of Okaz" competition, displays of handicrafts and popular cuisine, equestrian competitions, and historical exhibitions, connecting the past and the present.

Cultural and Entertainment Activities

The historical Souq Okaz is located about 40 km northeast of Taif. It is one of the most prominent Arab markets that emerged at the end of the fifth century CE. It was known for its major role in trade, where caravans gathered from across the Peninsula. It was also a literary and cultural platform where poets and orators competed before specialized judges, with the echoes of their poems resonating between the nomadic and urban settlements.Souq Okaz was distinguished from others by not imposing taxes or tithes on traders, which enhanced its commercial standing. Furthermore, it was a political and media hub where Arabs exchanged news and discussed their relations with neighboring nations. The market remained active for nearly three centuries until it faded after the Kharijite invasion in 129 AH/747 CE.In the modern era, Souq Okaz was revived in 2006 CE as an annual festival held in Al-Irfa Suburb of Taif under official patronage, embodying the market&#039;s history and importance. The festival includes cultural and literary events, poetry competitions where the &quot;Poet of Okaz&quot; award is granted, in addition to theatrical performances, handicrafts, equestrian shows, and heritage exhibitions, making it a prominent destination today that connects the ancient past with the flourishing present.

Souq Okaz was one of the greatest Arab markets before Islam, held northeast of Taif since the fifth century CE. It was a meeting place for trade, literature, and poetry, and it lasted for three centuries until its decline. Today, it has been revived as an annual festival in Taif that combines culture, heritage, and tourism.

The Meeting Place of Arabs and the Cradle of Eloquence

Souq Okaz (Okaz Market)

The market begins on 1st Dhu al-Hijjah and concludes on 8th Dhu al-Hijjah; the final commercial stop before the rituals begin.

The Pre-Tarwiyah Appointment

Dhi Al-Majaz comes third after Okaz and Majinnah; a path for distributing goods and meeting caravans just before the Hajj pilgrimage.

The Seasonal Triad: From Okaz to Dhi Al-Majaz

A place for buying and selling, and a venue for settling blood money, ransoming captives, seeking protection, and boasting, following the tradition of the major Hijaz markets.

A Market for Trade… And a Platform for Society

Its location is around Jabal Kabkab, several kilometers northeast of Arafat. The site has been fenced archaeologically for its protection and study.

Between Kabkab and Arafat

The thriving trade in captives and slaves, and some forms of entertainment, along with the narration of Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) purchasing his slave Aslam from this market.

A Scene from the Market

Following the conclusion of Souq Okaz and then Souq Majinnah, traders and pilgrims would move to Souq Dhi Al-Majaz, marking the end of the seasonal markets before the standing at Arafat. It is narrated that its name resembles the meaning of sanctioning the ritual. Its location is around Jabal Kabkab near Arafat in an area that belonged to the lands of Hudhayl. It was convened from the first of Dhu al-Hijjah for about a week until the Day of Tarwiyah, and was frequented by those who did not attend Okaz.Before Islam, it was known for certain forms of entertainment and featured a thriving market for captives and slaves; it was there that Omar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) bought his slave Aslam. It also had social and legal functions: ransoming captives, settling blood money, seeking neighborly protection, in addition to boasting, poetry, and oratory.The market is located within an area rich in archaeological evidence, including rock drawings and inscriptions around Makkah and Taif (including the market area). These mostly date back to the pre-Islamic era, reflecting the intensity of ancient settlement and human activity in the region.

A seasonal market near Arafat that was held from the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah until the Day of Tarwiyah (8 Dhu al-Hijjah) following the markets of Okaz and Majinnah. It was a destination for traders and pilgrims, and a venue for boasting, seeking protection, and ransoming captives.

The Memory of Trade and the Meeting Place of Protection and Ransom

Souq Dhi Al-Majaz) Dhi Al-Majaz Market)

Wadi Hunayn witnessed the battle where the Muslims gained victory after an initial setback, and it was mentioned in Surah Al-Tawbah, the relevant part of which means: "and on the day of Hunayn, when your great numbers delighted you, but they did not avail you at all."

A Great Battle Immortalized in the Qur'an

It was said that "Hunayn" is a diminutive of Arabic words, "Al-Hanan" or "Al-Hinn," while others attributed it to a man named Hunayn ibn Qaniyah ibn Mahla'il, reflecting linguistic and historical diversity regarding the nomenclature.

Origin of the Name and Sayings of Historians

The site is currently known as "Al-Shara'i," located 26 km east of Makkah, and only 11 km from the Sanctuary limits, in a natural area abundant with torrents and mountain streams.

Al-Shara'i... The Modern Name of the Site

Wadi Hunayn receives its torrents from Mount Tad and Al-Tandhub, descending westwards between Mount Laban and Mount Kanthil where its upper part is known as "Al-Sadr" and its lower part as "Al-Shara'i," before heading towards Urnah and Dhi Majaz.

A Valley Extending Between the Mountains

Due to its direct connection with a battle that took place during the Prophet's time (PBUH), Wadi Hunayn is considered an important station in the Prophetic Seerah and a site worthy of documentation and exploration.

One of the Most Prominent Landmarks of the Prophetic Seerah

The Valley of Hunayn is considered one of the significant locations in Islamic history, as it was the site of the Battle of Hunayn, which the Holy Qur&#039;an referred to in the Almighty&#039;s saying, the meaning of which is: &quot;Indeed, Allah has already granted you victory in many fields and on the Day of Hunayn, when your great numbers delighted you, but they did not avail you at all...&quot; [At-Tawbah: 25].Some linguists interpreted the name Hunayn as a diminutive of &quot;Al-Hanan&quot; (affection) or &quot;Al-Hinn&quot; (a kind of Jinn), while some historians attributed it to a man named Hunayn ibn Qaniyah ibn Mahla&#039;il.The site is currently known as Al-Shara&#039;i, is located east of Makkah, approximately 26 km away, and is about 11 km from the Sanctuary&#039;s limits. Wadi Hunayn forms part of the natural route for the floods of Mount Tad and Al-Tandhub, descending westwards between Mount Laban and Mount Kanthil. The upper part of Shara’i is known as &quot;Al-Sadr&quot; and its lower part as &quot;Al-Shara&#039;i,&quot; before moving north towards Urnah near Dhi Majaz. One of its well-known tributaries is Wadi Yad&#039;an, which gives it a complex geographical structure linked to the topography of Makkah and its surroundings.

It is a historic site associated with the Battle of Hunayn, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. It is known today as "Al-Shara'i," located east of Makkah, and is considered one of the most important landmarks of the Prophet's Seerah (Biography) in the region.

The Site of a Famous Battle and a Landmark of the Seerah East of Makkah

Hunayn

Inscriptions carved in early Arabic scripts narrate the traces of pilgrims and travelers in the early days of Islam.

A Rock Narrating the Beginnings of Islam

A historical inscription commemorates the name of one of the custodians of the Holy Kaaba in the first century of the Hijra.

Mus'ab ibn Shaybah... A Name from Makkah

The inscriptions are distributed on rock faces within Wadi Khushrub, among mountains that witnessed the journey of faith.

The Valley of Inscriptions

Khalifah Rock, also known as Shi&#039;b Al-Khallas, is located to the right of those coming from Arafat to Muzdalifah via Road No. (9), about two kilometers after passing the holy site of Arafat. The road veers east towards Wadi Khushrub, a gorge separating Mount Khushrub to the east and Mount Al-Ahdab to the west.At the bottom of this valley lies a huge rock whose faces are inscribed with a large collection of early Islamic inscriptions dating back to the first and second centuries of the Hijra. These are considered among the oldest epigraphic evidence in the Makkah region.Among the most prominent of these is an inscription bearing the name of Mus&#039;ab ibn Shaybah, who was the Custodian (Hajib) of the Holy Kaaba during that era, along with other inscriptions carrying names and supplications. They document moments from the history of the early Muslims who passed through this blessed path between the Holy Sites.The site represents a unique rock registry documenting the beginnings of Islamic Arabic writing in the Makkah region, and also reveals the nature of communication and passage between Arafat and Muzdalifah in the early days of Islam.

It is an archaeological site located between Mount Khushrub and Mount Al-Ahdab, east of Makkah. It includes a large rock inscribed with early Islamic inscriptions dating back to the first and second centuries of the Hijra, including an inscription bearing the name of Mus'ab ibn Shaybah, the Custodian of the Kaaba.

A Rock Witness Bearing Early Islamic Inscriptions near Arafat

Khalifah Rock

Despite the silence of the sea, the remains of Jabal Al-Sabaya Island tell of settlement and departed people, leaving behind houses, a mosque, and a cemetery testimonial of their time.

A Forgotten Island on the Shore of Memory

The houses built from Manqabi stone, one of the most durable building materials in Tihamah, indicate planned urbanism and former economic and social prosperity.

Manqabi Stone Above the Waves

The island contains two cemeteries considered among the well-known burial sites in Tihamah. They possess archaeological gravestones bearing names or faint inscriptions and are worthy of documentation and preservation.

Two Cemeteries and a Forgotten Record

The surviving foundations of a mosque near the settlement areas serve as a reminder that the island was not merely a place of residence, but a community with its own religious and social order.

A Mosque Without a Minaret... An Echo Without a Sound

Jabal Al-Sabaya Island is located in the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about 20 kilometers west of Hali Port, south of Al-Qunfudah Governorate.Despite the lack of accurate historical documentation regarding its establishment and the circumstances of its abandonment, archaeological evidence suggests that the island flourished between the 3rd and 9th centuries AH.Settlement areas are concentrated in the southeastern part of the island—opposite Hali city—and include two cemeteries containing gravestones and funerary stones, scattered fragments of pottery and glass, and the ruins of houses built with Manqabi stone, known for its quality and durability, in addition to the foundations of a mosque, reflecting the presence of a stable community with a religious and organizational dimension.Jabal Al-Sabaya Island is one of the few sites documenting human settlement in the Tihamah Islands. It is registered as an archaeological site in the Makkah region due to the evidence it holds dating back to the early and late Islamic periods, forming an extension of the memory of forgotten coastal villages.

Jabal Al-Sabaya Island is located west of the Hali Port, south of Al-Qunfudah, and contains the remains of a settlement believed to have thrived between the 3rd and 9th centuries AH. It features two cemeteries, fragments of pottery and glass, ruins of buildings made with Manqabi stone, and the foundations of a mosque.

Remains of a Forgotten Island on the Shores of History

Jabal Al-Sabaya Island

Al-Hada is situated at a high altitude west of Taif, 20 km away, and is considered one of the leading summer resorts in the Kingdom, thanks to its moderate climate and strategic location.

The Mountain Resort and the Charm of the Location

Al-Hada is an ideal environment for relaxation, as it is filled with public gardens and parks equipped with tourist services, providing an enjoyable experience for families and visitors, especially during summer and holiday seasons.

A Green Destination and Integrated Parks

The "Teleferic Al-Hada" is one of the area's main attractions, linking Al-Hada and Al-Kar via suspended cabins that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Taif mountains, and a unique recreational experience for nature and altitude enthusiasts.

An Unforgettable Experience with Al-Hada Teleferic

Al-Hada contains stone villages, fortresses, and early Islamic inscriptions, including personal names and Quranic citations, reflecting ancient settlement and the historical importance of the area.

A Legacy of Stones and Inscriptions

Al-Hada represents a balanced example of stunning nature and cultural heritage where mountains and fresh air blend with antiquities and inscriptions, making it a tourist and cultural destination that reflects the depth and authenticity of Taif.

Al-Hada... A Balance Between Nature and History

Al-Hada is a high-altitude mountain area located about 20 km west of Taif city and is considered one of the most important summer resorts in the Kingdom. Al-Hada gains its fame from its unique location on the Taif–Makkah road, its moderate climate in summer, the beauty of its mountainous terrain, and the density of its vegetation cover.It is dotted with parks and public gardens equipped with integrated tourist services, making it an ideal environment for accommodation and relaxation without needing to return to the city center. The “Teleferic Al-Hada” project is one of its most prominent landmarks, linking Al-Hada to the Al-Kar area via suspended cabins that provide a unique tourist experience.Al-Hada includes a number of archaeological sites, such as old stone villages and fortresses, alongside written inscriptions and rock drawings dating back to the early Islamic era, including personal names and Quranic citations, found on the rocks of the western and northern edges of the area.

Al-Hada is a touristic mountain area located west of Taif, featuring equipped parks, green gardens, the “Teleferic Al Hada " project, and rare early Islamic rock inscriptions, which gives it a cultural and touristic dimension.