Hafiz Faydullah, known as Hakkakzade (Turkey) Manuscript of the Dala'il al-Khayrat (Guides to Good Things) by al-Jazuli, A.D. 1787/A.H. 1201 Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper 7 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Edward Binney, 3rd, Collection of Turkish Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.85.237.54 Photo © 2002 Museum Associates / LACMA   [Click on images for larger view]
his is a map of Mecca, the most important holy city of Islam. Mecca, in the western region of present-day Saudi Arabia, was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (c. A.D. 570–632), the founder of Islam. One of the five religious duties incumbent upon all Muslims (practitioners of Islam) is, if possible, to undertake a pilgrimage there.   This map is from Guides to Good Things, a book that includes prayers and maps for Turkish worshipers to use when they travel to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Each copy was made by hand. A calligrapher copied the text, and artists drew the illustrations and maps.