Places to Visit in Makkah – Maqam Ibrahim (AS)

Maqam of Ibrahim (AS)

‘When We made the House (Ka‘bah of Makkah) a frequented place for men, and a place of peace! Make from the Station of Ibrāhīm a place of prayer. We gave the (following directive) to Ibrāhīm and Ismā‘īl (Ishmael): “Purify My House for those who are to circumambulate (make Tawāf) and those who stay in I‘tikāf, and those who bow down or prostrate themselves (in prayers).’ [Qur’an 2:125]

Maqam Ibrahim (AS) - Copyright Islamopedia — Maqam Ibrahim (AS) – Copyright Islamopedia

The Maqam of Ibrahim (AS) is the stone on which the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood when building the Ka’bah. He stood on it and worked his way around the Ka’bah whilst Isma’il (AS) passed him the stones for the walls of the Ka’bah.

Copy of Ibrahim's Footprint from the Museum in Makkah - Copyright Islamopedia — Copy of Ibrahim’s Footprint from the Museum in Makkah – Copyright Islamopedia

Out of deference to Ibrahim (AS) and the task that he was undertaking, the stone became soft for him and Ibrahim’s (AS) footprint was engraved on the stone.

The stone now sits in a golden enclosure a couple of meters away from the Ka’bah. Pilgrims are required to pray behind the Maqam of Ibrahim once they have completed the Tawaf (Circumambulation) of the Ka’bah.