Maqam Ibrahim (a): Difference between revisions

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'''Maqām Ibrāhīm (a)''' [Ibrahim's (a) standing place] (Arabic:{{ia|مقام ابراهیم }}) is where the footprint of prophet [[Abraham (a)]] is marked. The Qur'an has considered it among clear signs of God on the earth and Muslims have been invited to perform [[prayer]] at this location. This stone is now placed in a golden cylinder located 13 meters away from the [[Ka'ba]]. In the views of [[Shi'a]], the original location of Ibrahim's (a) station is right next to the Ka'ba.

In verse 125 of chapter Baqara and verse 96 of chapter Al ‘Imran there are mentions of Ibrahim's (a) station and it has been considered among clear signs of God on the earth and Muslims have been invited to perform prayer at this location.

According to narrations, after God ordered prophet Ibrahim (a) to call people to hajj, he stood on a stone and did God's order and his footprint remained on the stone. In another narration, it is said that his footprint remained on this stone on top of the Kaaba upon its construction.  

This stone and Hajar al-Aswad are considered among holy stones from the paradise and were used by prophets Ibrahim (a) and Isma'il (a) when praying toward Qibla (they placed this stone between themselves and the Kaaba). The Prophet (s) prayed the same while he (s) was in Mecca.

According to historical sources, until the time of the Second Caliph, this stone was on the ground. At his time, the flood called Umm Ashhal moved this stone a great distance and the caliph built a column for it in its previous place. In the second century AH, this stone which was broken from several points was glued together using silver and plated it with gold. Later, to protect it more, a dome with four iron windows was built upon it. Until 1967, a wooden structure in 3 by 6 meters existed over Maqam which made trouble for the pilgrims. Saudi government wanted to move Maqam to a place near Bab Bani Shayba, but they did not do so due to public objection of Muslim scholars and a golden cylinder was place on it. Through the windows around this cylinder, the stone and the footprints which are now silver-plated can be seen. Ibrahim's (a) station is 13 m away from the Kaaba.

Most Shia and some Sunni people believe that the location of Ibrahim's (a) station at the Age of Ignorance has been its current place and the Prophet (s) returned it to its original place right beside the Kaaba. But, at the time of the Second Caliph, he moved the Maqam to the current place on the pretext that there were too much crowd of pilgrims, etc.

Some Sunni historians and biographers believe that the stone of the Maqam was kept inside the Kaaba before the conquest of Mecca and after taking Mecca, the Prophet (s) took it out and installed it beside the Kaaba. After revelation of verse 125 of chapter Baqara, the Prophet ordered to move the stone to its current place.

Some Sunni writers considered the revelation of this verse among the merits of the Second Caliph and quoted from ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar, son of the Second Caliph that the Prophet (s) took the hand of ‘Umar and took him to the Maqam and said, “this is Ibrahim's (a) station.” ‘Umar asked, “O Messenger of God! Why do not you make it a venue for prayer?” Then, the following verse was revealed, “‘Take the venue of prayer from Abraham's Station.'” (2:125)

In a hadith from Imam al-Sadiq (a), it is mentioned that Imam al-Mahdi (a) will return Maqam to its original place upon his advent.

In a hadith from al-Kafi, it has been said that the Maqam has been moved from its original place and the circumambulation area has been defined to be between the Kaaba and the current place of Ibrahim's (a) station. Most Shia scholars in fiqh have considered the circumambulation area to be as mentioned in this hadith and when it is very crowded, they have considered it permissible to perform circumambulation outside this area with some conditions as well. Some others have interpreted this hadith as a recommendation for circumambulation in this area.

Sunni people so not observe any specific distance from the Kaaba while making circumambulation.

According to Shia fiqh prayer of circumambulation is obligatory (circumambulation of Ziyara and circumambulation of women) behind Ibrahim's (a) station and near it. There are different rulings about those who perform circumambulation on the second floor of Masjid al-Haram due to some excuses but they cannot perform the prayer in the courtyard of Masjid al-Haram behind Ibrahim's (a) station. The prayer of recommended circumambulation can be performed anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.