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| Arabic | المَطَاف |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | ma-TAAF |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning to go around or circumambulate. Mataf is the noun of place, meaning 'the place of الطواف' or 'the place where circumambulation is performed.' |
Mataf(المَطَاف) The Mataf is the designated circumambulation area around the الكعبة where الحجاج perform الطواف. It is the open, marble-floored courtyard immediately surrounding the الكعبة within المسجد الحرام.
المَطَاف
The Mataf is the central feature of المسجد الحرام, the open courtyard that encircles the الكعبة and provides the space for الحجاج to perform their seven circuits of الطواف. The area is paved with specially treated white marble that remains cool despite extreme temperatures, allowing الحجاج to walk barefoot. The ground floor Mataf is the most prestigious level, closest to the الكعبة. Additional upper levels and a temporary Mataf structure have been added through Saudi expansions to increase capacity. The Mataf area includes several significant landmarks: the Hajar al-Aswad corner, the مقام إبراهيم, the زمزم well entrance, and the Multazam wall. During peak الحج periods, the Mataf accommodates hundreds of thousands of الحجاج simultaneously, with flow managed by Saudi authorities. The current expansion project aims to further increase the Mataf capacity to serve the ever-growing number of الحجاج.
From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning to go around or circumambulate. Mataf is the noun of place, meaning 'the place of الطواف' or 'the place where circumambulation is performed.'