The Kabah ٱلْكَعْبَة ‎‎

The Ka’bah, also known as Baytullah (The House of Allah) is the first house built for humanity to worship Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The small, cubed building may not rival other famous buildings in terms of size but its impact on history and human beings is unmatched. It functions as the Qibla, the direction to which all Muslims pray five times a day.

• Regarding the Ka’bah, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) mentions in the Quran in Surah Al-Ma’idah: “Allah has made the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits (e.g., Hajj and Umrah) for mankind.” [5:97]
• The Ka’bah has been built or adjusted on several occasions throughout history. The most famous builders are; the angels who originally constructed it; the first man and prophet, Adam (عليه السلام); Ebrahim (عليه السلام) with the help of his son Ismail (عليه السلام); by the Quraysh during the Jahiliyyah period (this was witnessed by the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) when he was 25 years old) and by Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) in 65 AH who rebuilt it according to the wish of the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم).

Hajar al-Aswad ٱلْحَجَرُ ٱلْأَسْوَد

The Hajar al-Aswad, which is set in the eastern corner of the Ka’bah. Tawaf begins and ends facing this sacred stone. Throughout the ages, countless people including many of the Prophets (عليه السلام), the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) himself, the Sahabah (رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنهم), pious personalities and millions of Muslims who have performed Hajj and Umrah have placed their blessed lips on it.

• (عليه السلام) to be placed on the corner of the Ka’bah. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “The Black Stone came down from Paradise and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it black.” [Tirmidhi]
• Du’as are accepted at the Hajar al-Aswad and on the Day of Judgement it will testify in favour of all those who kissed it. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “By Allah! On the Day of Qiyamah, Allah will present the Hajar al-Aswad in such a manner that it will have two eyes and a tongue to testify to the Imaan (faith) of all those who kissed it.” [Tirmidhi]

Multazam ملتزم

The area between the Hajar al-Aswad and the door of kabah is called the Multazam. It is approximately two metres wide and is a place where du’as (supplications) are accepted.

• The Multazam is an area where du’as are accepted. It is sunnah to hold on to the wall of the Ka’bah in such a manner that a cheek, chest and hands are against the wall. It is reported that Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنه) once completed the Tawaf, performed the salah and then kissed the Hajar al-Aswad. Thereafter, he stood between the Hajar al-Aswad and the door of the Ka’bah in such a manner that the cheek, chest and hands were against the wall. He then said, “This is what I saw Rasulullah (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) do.”
• Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنه) says, “The signs of acceptance for any du’a made between the Hajar al-Aswad and the door of the Ka’bah will certainly be seen.”

Rukan Yamani ركن اليماني

This corner of the Ka’bah is called the Rukan Yamani because it is situated on the side of the Ka’bah which faces the land of Yemen. It is on the wall opposite to that of the Hajar al-Aswad.

• Because this corner is still standing on the foundation that Ebrahim (عليه السلام) built, the narration of Abdullah bin Abbas (رحمه الله) states that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) made ‘Istilaam’ of it.
• ‘Istilaam’ refers to the touching of the corner whether this is done by hand or by kissing. As the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) touched the Rukn Yamaani by hand, this practise is Sunnah. However, there is no harm if one is unable to touch it due to the crowds.
• It was the practice of the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) that when he passed between the Rukn Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad, he recited the following du’a: “O Rabb, grant us (all that which is) good in this world, (all that which is) good in the Aakhirah and save us from the punishment of the fire (of Jahannam).” [Surah Baqarah, verse 201]

Hateem حاتِم

The Hateem is the crescent shaped area immediately adjacent to the Ka’bah. Part of it is also known as the ‘Hijr Ismail’ as this was the place where Ebrahim (عليه السلام) constructed a shelter for Ismail (عليه السلام) and his mother Hajrah (رضي الله عنھا).

Maqame Ebrahim مقام إبراهيم

The Maqame Ebrahim refers to the stone on which Ebrahim (عليه السلام) stood on while he was building the Ka’bah. As Ismail (عليه السلام) passed stones to Ebrahim (عليه السلام), and as Ebrahim (عليه السلام) continued laying them in place the Maqame Ebrahim miraculously continued rising higher and higher as the walls rose. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) caused the trace of his footprints to remain on the stone as a reminder to the believers among his descendants.

It has been reported from Sa’eed bin Jubair (رحمه الله) that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “The stone is the station of Ebrahim (عليه السلام). Allah made it soft and made it a mercy. Ebrahim (عليه السلام) would stand on it and Ismail would hand the stones up to him.” [Muthir Al-Gharam]

The Zamzam well زمزم

The Zamzam well has provided some 4000 years of almost continuous water supply, a living miracle. Note that this marking is currently no longer visible.

There is healing power in Zamzam. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said, “The best water on the face of the earth is the water of Zamzam. In it is complete nourishment and healing from sickness.” [At-Tabarani]

The Mataf مَطَاف

The Mataf refers to the open white area immediately around the Ka’bah where tawaf takes place.

With reference to it, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) mentions in the Quran:

“We commanded Ebrahim (عليه السلام) and Ismail (عليه السلام) (saying), “Clean (remove idols from) My house (the Ka’bah) for those who perform tawaf, those who stay in it, those who bow (in Ruku) and those who prostrate” (referring to those who perform salah there).” [Surah Baqarah, verse 125]

Mas’aa مساء الخير

The strip of ground between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah is referred to as the Mas’aa. It is where Hajra (رضي الله عنھا) rushed seven times to see if she could spot any water or anyone from whom she could get some in order to give to her infant Ismail (عليه السلام). This action is copied by all pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah and is known as Sa’ee. The area where she ran is today clearly demarcated by green lighting.

Mount Safa & Marwah الصفا والمروة

Mount Safa, inside Masjid al-Haram, is the point from where pilgrims (Guest of Allah) start the Sa’ee to emulate the actions of Hajra (رضي الله عنھا).

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) makes mention of the Safa and Marwah mountains in the Quran in Surah Baqarah: “Verily Safa and Marwah are among the landmarks (distinctive signs) of (the Deen of) Allah.” [2:158]

Mount Marwah is where Hajra (رضي الله عنھا) ran to from Mount Safa in searching for water for her son Ismail (عليه السلام).

Masjid-e-Jin مسجد الجن

Masjid Jinn, also known as Masjid Haras, is built on the place where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) drew a line for Abdullah bin Mas’ood (رضي الله عنه) who had accompanied him after he had been commanded to recite the Qur’an to the Jinn.

Masjid Shajarah مسجد الشجرة

Masjid Shajarah (Masjid of the tree) is located opposite Masjid al-Jinn. The Masjid marks the spot from where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) called a tree and it came to him. Please note that this masjid is not to be confused with the masjid in Dhul Hulayfah which is sometimes referred to by the same name.

Masjid al Tan’eem / Aisha مسجد التنعيم

Masjid Aisha, also known as Masjid at-Tan’eem marks the place where Ummul-Mu’mineen Aisha (رضي الله عنھا) went to enter into Ihram for Umrah when the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) told her to do so during the farewell Hajj. The masjid lies 7.5 km south from Makkah on the road to Madinah and is the closest of all the boundary points.

Masjid al-Khayf مسجد الخيف

This masjid is located at the foot of a mountain in the south of Mina, close to the smallest Jamarat. It was at this spot that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) performed his salah in Hajj tul Widah and numerous other Prophets before him performed salah.

Masjid Biah/Uqbah جامع عقبة

This Masjid, close to Mina, commemorates the spot where the Ansar of Madinah pledged their allegiance to the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) in the year 621 CE. The group included leaders of the Aws and Khazraj tribes of Madinah and were twelve in number. The second such pledge called the second Aqabah pledge (Bay’ah Aqaba Thaaniya) took place the following year, the thirteenth year after the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) proclaimed his Prophethood.

Masjid ur Ra’yah (Jowdariyyah) مسجد رعية

Majid Ra’yah is located on the spot where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) had his flag planted when he conquered Makkah. It is also known as Masjid Jowdariyyah.