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حِجر إسماعيل / الحَطيم
The Hijr Ismail (also called Hatim) is the semi-circular white marble wall on the northwest side of the Kaaba. Originally part of the Kaaba structure, praying inside this area is considered equivalent to praying inside the Kaaba itself. It is associated with Prophet Ismail (AS) and his mother Hajar.
When the Quraysh rebuilt the Kaaba before Islam, they ran short of lawful funds and could not complete the full original foundation laid by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The portion they left out was marked by a low wall called the Hatim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) confirmed that the Hijr was originally part of the Kaaba. It is also associated with Prophet Ismail (AS) and his mother Hajar (AS), and some narrations state they are buried in this area.
Praying inside the Hijr Ismail is considered equivalent to praying inside the Kaaba, as it was originally part of the sacred structure. It is one of the most blessed spots in Masjid al-Haram and holds deep connections to the family of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The Hijr Ismail is accessible to all visitors and is a highly sought-after place for prayer since praying here is equivalent to praying inside the Kaaba. It becomes very crowded, especially after obligatory prayers. The best times to access it are late at night or early morning. During tawaf, pilgrims must walk around the outside of the Hijr wall, not through it.