Maqam Ibrahim is a very special place found in the city of Makkah, inside the Masjid al-Haram. Muslims believe that this small square stone has the footprints of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). After completing the Tawaf during Umrah, pilgrims pray at Maqam Ibrahim. They offer two Rak’ahs to show respect for the place where Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) stood. Are you planning to do Umrah as a group this year? Make your pilgrimage as stress-free as possible with All Inclusive Umrah Packages. In this blog post, you will learn about the Islamic importance of Maqam Ibrahim.
The Story Behind Maqam Ibrahim
Maqam is a sacred stone near the divine Kaaba in Makkah. It is the very place where the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood while constructing the Kaaba with his son Prophet Ismail (AS). Allah Almighty told his beloved Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to start building the Kaaba. So, following His order, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son began the work. They used stones from different mountains around Makkah, like Thubayr, Toor Seena, Jabalul Khayr, Hira, and Labnaan. There was a time when the walls of the Kaaba got higher. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) needed assistance to reach that height. This is when a large stone lifted him up. This was a great miracle. The stone became soft under his feet, keeping the marks of his footprints. That miracle stone is now known as Maqam Ibrahim. After the holy Kaaba was built, the stone was first left at its eastern side.
Later, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umer (RA), the stone was moved to the front of the Kaaba. This made it quite easier for Muslims to perform Tawaf during Umrah or Hajj. Today, Maqam Ibrahim is present where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) prayed two Rak’ahs after building the Kaaba. When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked about Maqam Ibrahim, he said that;
“The stone is the station of Ibrahim. Allah made it soft and made it a mercy. Ibrahim would stand on it, and Ismail would hand the stones up to him.”
Why Maqam Ibrahim Holds Profound Spiritual Significance
Maqam Ibrahim has profound Islamic rituals. When Muslims go to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, they walk around the holy Kaaba seven times. This act is called Tawaf. After finishing this religious activity, pilgrims are asked to pray two Rak’ahs of prayer. These Rak’ahs should be prayed near Maqam Ibrahim. This is exactly what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told all Muslims to do. It reminds them of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) strong faith, hard work, and love for Allah Almighty. Adding more to this, he constructed the Kaaba with his son and trusted the Creator with all his heart. The stone is a symbol of his good actions as well as his trust in Allah.
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
“And take the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:125)
When pilgrims pray near the stone, they feel closer to Allah. Not only this, but they also remember the lesson of patience from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Maqam Ibrahim is not a simple stone; it is more than that. It is a crucial part of your Hajj or Umrah. If you’re thinking of the pilgrimage in 2025, get Umrah packages from a trusted agency, like Muslims Holy Travel.
Things You Must Know About Maqam Ibrahim
The following are some of the interesting things you need to know about Maqam Ibrahim;
Size of Maqam Ibrahim
Maqam Ibrahim is not very big. This miracle stone is no more than 20 centimeters high. There are two footprints on it. One footprint is over 10 centimeters deep, while the other one is 9 centimeters deep. These are the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he stood on this stone to build the holy Kaaba. These footprints are still noticeable today, holding great importance.
Location of the Stone
Today, Maqam Ibrahim is placed at the front of the door of the Kaaba. Muslims can easily see the stone when they walk around the Kaaba during Tawaf. It is kept inside a glass case, which keeps it safe. Everyone can clearly see the marks of the beloved Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) feet. This is the divine place where many believers stop and look over the stone with love and respect.
The Stone Became Soft
One amazing thing to know about Maqam Ibrahim is that it became soft when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood on it. The stone turned soft just like clay. His feet sank into the stone. That is the reason we can still see the footprints of Ibrahim (AS). This miracle shows the power of Allah Almighty. Even after so many years, this stone has visible footprints, which is quite surprising.
Where the Prophet Prayed
This stone is not only where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood, but it is also where he offered two Rak’ahs. This is why, after completing seven rounds of Tawaf, pilgrims stop at this place to pray two Rak’ahs. It is an act of Sunnah and very beloved as well. It reminds Muslims across the globe how much faith, patience, trust, and love Prophet Ibrahim (AS) showed to the Creator.
Sent Down from Heaven
Another interesting fact is that Maqam Ibrahim was not from Earth. Instead, it was sent down from Heaven by Allah Almighty. Allah basically sent three stones. One was the Black Stone, Hajr Aswad. The second one was Maqam Ibrahim. Adding more to this, the third stone was given to the Children of Israel. All of these stones are very special and holy in their own way.
A Stone Protected by Allah
Even after decades, Maqam Ibrahim is still safe. A lot of enemies came so that they can harm Islamic places. But this miracle stone stayed safe throughout. Allah is the one who protected it from evil. That is one of the greatest miracles of Allah Almighty. It demonstrates how important Maqam Ibrahim is in Islam. Muslims worldwide feel love and peace when they see this stone.
The Final Statement
Maqam Ibrahim holds deep significance in the history of Islam. It shows the love and strong faith of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had for Allah. This stone is not a simple rock with footprints. It is a sign of hard work, trust, and deep belief in Allah Almighty. This stone stands near the sacred Kaaba, where millions of pilgrims visit every year. Maqam Ibrahim reminds Muslims of the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and how he built the Kaaba with his son Prophet Ismail (AS).
Praying near this stone helps pilgrim feel closer to the Creator. Not only this, but it also helps them follow the right path and become better Muslims. The footprints on Maqam Ibrahim are a powerful reminder that the work we do for Allah Almighty never goes to waste. Instead, it stays forever. This holy place teaches us to be kind, strong, and faithful, just like Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It brings peace to the heart of believers. If you’re travelling to Makkah for the pilgrimage this year, invest in budget-friendly Cheap Family Umrah Packages to end up with a hassle-free journey.
