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 Kabah. 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 Kabah, in front of its door. The Al-Quran explicitly mentions it: 'And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of shalat' (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:125). Following this command, after completing the seven circuits of Tawaf, jamaah haji pray two rak'ahs behind the Maqam, ideally with the station between themselves and the Kabah. In the first rak'ah, Surah al-Kafirun is recited, and in the second, Surah al-Ikhlas. During extremely crowded times, jamaah haji may pray these rak'ahs anywhere in the Haram.