A small mountain about 100 m east of the Kaaba, at whose foot lies the hill of Safa, on the eastern edge of Mecca. It was held sacred in the pre-Islamic era and known as 'al-Amin'; tradition holds that the Black Stone was kept safe on it during Noah's flood. At its foot stood Dar al-Arqam where the early Muslims gathered, and at its summit was the Ibrahim Mosque; after 1980 the Saudi authorities expropriated the entire mountain to build palaces and tunnels.
Visiting Etiquette
Much of the mountain is today inaccessible due to construction; explore its surroundings respectfully and relate traditions with caution, avoiding excess in attributing sanctity.