Maqam Ibrahim: The Station of Abraham

Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Abraham) refers to a stone that bears impressions believed to be the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম). According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim stood on this stone while building the upper portions of the কাবা শরীফ's walls, and the stone miraculously softened to bear his weight, preserving his footprints. The stone currently sits in a gold and crystal enclosure near the কাবা শরীফ, approximately 10-15 meters from the eastern wall. Throughout history, the Maqam has been moved several times — originally it was attached to the কাবা শরীফ wall, then placed closer to its current position during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab to provide more space for the increasing number of হাজীগণ performing তাওয়াফ.

The Maqam Ibrahim is one of the few physical objects specifically mentioned in আল-কুরআন. Allah says: 'And take the station of Ibrahim as a place of সালাত' (2:125). This verse establishes the sunnah of praying two rak'ahs behind the Maqam after completing তাওয়াফ. In another verse, Allah describes the Maqam as containing 'clear signs' (ayat bayyinat): 'In it are clear signs, the standing place of Ibrahim' (3:97). The scholarly consensus is that the footprints on the stone are among these clear signs — physical evidence of Ibrahim's construction of the কাবা শরীফ preserved across millennia as a testimony to his obedience.

After completing the seven circuits of তাওয়াফ, হাজীগণ are instructed to pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim. In these two rak'ahs, the sunnah is to recite Surah al-Kafirun (109) in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas (112) in the second, following নবী করীম's practice during his farewell হজ্জ. When the area immediately behind the Maqam is too crowded — which is the case during most of the day — হাজীগণ may pray these two rak'ahs anywhere in মসজিদুল হারাম. The obligation is to pray two rak'ahs after তাওয়াফ, with the preference being behind the Maqam when feasible.