Among these names are Al-Nassah (The Expeller of Sins), Umm Ruhm (The Mother of Mercy), Umm al-Qura (The Mother of Cities), Ma'ad (The Place of Return), and Al-Hatimah (The Crusher). It is given the latter name because it crushes those who disdain it, or because it obliterates the sins burdening a person at Al-Hateem, as narrated from the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them). Other names include Al-Haram (The Sanctuary), Salah (Righteousness), and Al-Balad Al-Amin (The Secure City). Furthermore, it was named Makkah because it Tamukku (depletes/crushes) the tyrants; meaning, it eradicates their arrogance.

​Ibn al-Anbari described it, saying: "Mecca is a city situated in a valley, overlooked by mountains from all directions that encircle the Kaaba. Its buildings are constructed from smooth black and white stones, and their upper sections are built with abundant fired bricks. They feature numerous extensions made of teakwood and consist of elegant, whitewashed stories. The city is hot in the summer, yet its nights are pleasant. God has relieved its inhabitants of the burden of seeking warmth and spared them the hardship of kindling fires.

​"Everything situated below the Sacred Mosque is referred to as Al-Misfalah (the lower quarter), while everything above it is called Al-Ma'lah (the upper quarter). The city's width spans the breadth of the valley. The Sacred Mosque is located two-thirds of the way across the city toward Al-Misfalah, with the Kaaba positioned in the center of the Mosque. Mecca does not possess a flowing river; its water comes from the sky (rain). They do not have conventional wells for drinking water; the purest water they have is the Well of Zamzam, though it is not advisable to rely on it exclusively as one’s sole source of drinking water. Furthermore, there are no fruit-bearing trees within all of Mecca, save for a few wild desert trees. However, once you cross beyond the boundaries of the Sanctuary (Al-Haram), you will find springs, wells, numerous walled orchards, verdant valleys, farms, and palm groves. As for the Sanctuary itself, it contains no fruit-bearing trees except for a few scattered palms."

​There are varying opinions regarding the exact demarcation of the Sanctuary (Al-Haram) and the borders separating it from the non-sacred zones (Al-Hill). Books of Islamic jurisprudence have comprehensively addressed these boundaries, and anyone seeking further detail may refer to them.

​In summary, the Sacred City—as previously established—comprises Mecca and its surroundings. This is due to the presence of the Sacred House (the Kaaba), which serves as the central point of that region; the House that God made a focal point for the people and a safe haven. It has been designated the "Sacred City" because anyone who enters it is strictly forbidden from engaging in any form of deviation or wrongdoing (Ilhad), even though such acts are fundamentally forbidden elsewhere. God Almighty says: {And whoever intends therein [a deed] of deviation or wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.} [Al-Hajj: 25]. Additionally, hunting within its borders is prohibited, its trees must not be cut down, and no person may enter it unless they are in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration). There are, indeed, many other reasons that perfectly align with this nomenclature.