Maqam Ibrahim

What Does Maqam Ibrahim Mean in Detail?

The Maqam Ibrahim is a small stone that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) stood upon while building the upper walls of the কাবা শরীফ. According to Islamic tradition, the stone miraculously softened under his feet, preserving his footprints, and rose and lowered as he needed to reach higher portions of the structure. The stone is now preserved in an elegant glass and metal enclosure located a few meters from the কাবা শরীফ, in front of its door. The কুরআন explicitly mentions it: 'And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of সালাত' (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:125). Following this command, after completing the seven circuits of তাওয়াফ, হাজীগণ pray two rak'ahs behind the Maqam, ideally with the station between themselves and the কাবা শরীফ. In the first rak'ah, Surah al-Kafirun is recited, and in the second, Surah al-Ikhlas. During extremely crowded times, হাজীগণ may pray these rak'ahs anywhere in the Haram.