The city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia is a special place for Muslims. The city’s name is immortalized in the Qur’an, hadith, and historical books. The Prophet Muhammad was born and struggled to build a Muslim community in this city. Makkah al-Mukarramah is also the place where Allah chose to build Baitullah, the Qibla of the world. He made it a peaceful holy land, and obliged Muslims who could afford it to visit Mecca. When Mecca flooded, Muslims were naturally worried and wondered what was going on?
Mecca Floods
On Tuesday (7/1/2025), Saudi Arabia was hit by heavy rains and storms that resulted in flooding everywhere. Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca were the three cities most affected and experienced flash floods. The National Meteorological Center of Saudi Arabia also issued a red alert for the region, including Makkah al-Mukarramah.
The city of Mecca was reportedly drowned. The rushing water swept away cars on the streets. The streets turned into rivers. Local residents were evacuated to safe places. It is estimated that heavy rains will continue until Friday (1/10/2024).
On the other hand, many flights at Jeddah Airport have been delayed due to the weather. Passengers are advised to monitor the latest information regarding the weather before traveling.
The city of Mecca is located in a valley. It is surrounded by mountains, especially around the Kaaba. Basically, if there is an overflow of water due to high rainfall, this is natural. This is because Mecca is located between hills and is a low-lying area. The soil structure also consists of rocks, making it difficult to absorb water.
Not only today, Mecca has actually gone through many floods, even flash floods that surrounded the Kaaba. However, Allah Swt continues to protect Mecca from these disasters. Evidenced by the strength of the Kaaba still standing today.
Read also: Hajj 1444 H, These 8 Mustajab Places in Mecca and Medina
History of the Mecca Flood
1. Pre-Islamic Period
It is estimated that in 200 BCE, a great flood hit the city of Mecca and destroyed most of the area around the Kaaba. This event is mentioned in various historical accounts, although the details are not very clear.
2. Five Years Before Prophethood
Five years before Muhammad’s prophethood, a flash flood struck the Kaaba. This disaster caused the walls of the Kaaba to crack to the point that it needed to be renovated.
The overflowing water destroyed most of the walls of the Kaaba, which at that time was still built from simple materials (stones without strong mortar). In addition, the flow of water from the mountains surrounding Mecca brought debris, sand and stones that worsened the condition of the Kaaba.
3. The time of Caliph Umar bin Khattab
Around 638 AD or 17 Hijri, the first major flood during the Islamic era hit Mecca. Water covered the Grand Mosque, including the Kaaba area. This disaster caused significant damage. Moreover, at that time the Kaaba building only consisted of a composition of stones glued together by soil and mud.
To prevent further flooding, Umar bin Khattab built dams in some valleys, such as the Fatima Valley. These efforts were continued in the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman dynasties.
4. The Abbasid Dynasty
A major flood hit Mecca again during the Abbasid Dynasty around the year 162 Hijri or 779 AD. This flood caused extensive damage to the Grand Mosque and surrounding structures.
5. The Flood of 1039
At that time, Mecca experienced heavy rains that lasted continuously. The flow of water from the mountains surrounding the city caused a huge overflow that flooded the Grand Mosque and surrounding areas. The drainage system was so minimal that the water could not flow quickly. The floodwaters were quite high, covering the Grand Mosque area as high as 1.5 meters. One of the walls of the Kaaba collapsed, and many of the foundation stones were scattered.
6. Flash Flood of 1941
The 1941 flood is one of the largest and worst well-documented floods. The floodwaters reached a height of about 2 meters in the Grand Mosque area and its surroundings. Photographs of the flash flood during this period show worshippers swimming in the Grand Mosque area. This was the worst flood ever to hit the Kaaba, with water reaching halfway up the building.
The disaster was caused by extreme weather and heavy rains that pounded the city of Mecca for a week during the day and night. The water overflowed, paralyzing human activities in Mecca and the Kaaba.
To this day, the Mecca flood continues to occur. This disaster is a recurring event that has occurred throughout history due to the geographical factors of the city of Mecca. Infrastructure development and improvement continue to be carried out and improved to reduce the risk of disasters. With Allah’s help, the impact of floods in the city of Mecca and the Kaaba is now more manageable than in previous times.
So, should we worry and take this as a sign of the end times? As humans who are given reason by Allah Swt, we can find out what the development of the city of Mecca and the Kaaba is like and what risk factors might occur there. So, we don’t need to be so worried. But as humans who are also believers, we need to believe in the signs of the end times that are in the Qur’an and sunnah.
Read also: Flash Floods of Mecca Until Snow Covers Saudi Arabia, Signs of the End Times?
Prayer for Rain & Hearing Lightning
Prayer when it Rains
To prevent heavy rain from bringing disaster, we can pray when it rains:
اَللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا هَنِيًّا وَسَيِّبًا نَافِعًا
Allahumma shayyiban haniyya wa sayyiban nafi’a
Meaning: “O my Lord, make this rain praiseworthy in its end and a beneficial stream of water.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also encouraged his followers to offer any supplication when it rains, as this is an auspicious time. We can also make the following supplication so that the rain that falls will benefit nature:
اللَّهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَلاَ عَلَيْنَا ، اللَّهُمَّ عَلَى الآكَامِ وَالظِّرَابِ ، وَبُطُونِ الأَوْدِيَةِ ، وَمَنَابِتِ الشَّجَرِ
Allahumma hawalayna wa la ‘alayna, allahumma ‘ala al-akami wa az-zirabi, wa butuni al-awdiyati, wa manabiti ash-shajari
Meaning: “O Allah, send this rain around us and not on us. O Allah pour this rain over the hills, in the dense forests, in the small mountains, in the valleys, and the places where trees grow.”
Prayer for Hearing Lightning
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيْفَتِهِ
Subhanalladzi yusabbihur ro’du bi hamdihi wal mala-ikatu min khiifatih
Meaning: “Glory be to Allah, whose thunderbolts and angels praise Him out of fear of Him.”
Friends, let’s strengthen each other in difficult times. We can embrace each other by channeling humanitarian donations to those affected by disasters through Dompet Dhuafa. Click the banner below to help our brothers and sisters who are disaster survivors. (RQA)
