It is commonly assumed that Masjid al-Haram is located in present-day Mecca. This identification is deeply ingrained in inherited tradition and collective memory, and as a result, it is rarely subjected to critical re-examination. For most muslims, the matter is considered long settled, it does not even cross their minds that the location itself should be questioned.

Nevertheless, across different periods, some observers have pointed to inconsistencies between the Qur’anic descriptions associated with Masjid al-Haram and the known geography, environment, and historical development of Mecca. Such observations have typically been regarded as speculative and have seldom been explored through sustained, text-based analysis.

The Qur’an, however, presents itself as a complete guide. It repeatedly states that nothing essential has been omitted, that its signs are clear, and that its message is accessible to those who reflect. If this claim is taken seriously, then the location of Masjid al-Haram should be identifiable within the Qur’an itself, rather than being dependent solely on later tradition.