Makkah
Maqam Ibrahim
The stone bearing Prophet Ibrahim's ﷺ footprint.
What is Maqam Ibrahim and what happens there?
Maqam Ibrahim is the stone Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ stood on while raising the Ka'bah's walls with his son Isma'il ﷺ - his footprints remain miraculously imprinted. After Tawaf, pilgrims offer two rak'ah behind it.
Significance & history
Referenced in the Qur'an: 'And take from the standing place of Ibrahim a place of prayer' (2:125). The stone is preserved inside a golden glass casing a few metres from the Ka'bah's door. The footprints are a lasting sign of Ibrahim's ﷺ construction work with Isma'il ﷺ.
【BOOK】 The author's reflection on standing where Ibrahim ﷺ once stood will appear here.
Role in the ritual
After completing seven Tawaf circuits, pilgrims move behind Maqam Ibrahim and offer two rak'ah - reciting Al-Kāfirūn in the first and Al-Ikhlās in the second, following the Prophet's ﷺ practice.
Etiquette
- Do not attempt to touch or press against the glass casing.
- If space directly behind is full, pray anywhere on that line, even far away.
- Do not block the Mataf while praying - move to the outer edge.
- Keep the two rak'ah brief when others are waiting behind you.
Key Facts
Qur'an 2:125 designates it as a place of prayer.
The stone is preserved in a golden crystal casing installed in the modern era.
Praying the two rak'ah in line with Maqam Ibrahim - even far behind - is valid.
Visitor information
- Location
- A few metres from the Ka'bah's door, inside the Mataf
- Timings
- Accessible whenever the Mataf is open.
- - Pray your two rak'ah at any point aligned with the Maqam if the immediate area is full.
- - Recite Al-Kāfirūn then Al-Ikhlās - this was the Prophet's ﷺ practice.