What is the Significance of Maqam Ibrahim in Islam?

SHAFAQNA - Located near the Holy Kaaba, Maqam Ibrahim is a highly sacred place for the Muslims of all over the world. This Holy place has a unique historical significance because of its relation with the construction of Holy kaaba, the house of Almighty Allah. Muslims from all over the world visit this place while performing the Holy Pilgrimage of kaaba, offer prayers and seek forgiveness of Almighty Allah.A large stone block on which Prophet Ibrahim (May Peace Be Up on Him) stood while he was constructing the Holy Kaaba.

Sent from the heavens, the stone used to move around, up and down as per the instructions of Prophet Ibrahim (May peace Be Upon Him), helping the Prophet of Allah to build the walls of Kaaba with the assistance of his son Prophet Ismail (May Peace Be Up on Him). After the completion of Kaaba, the stone was left besides the house of Allah on its Eastern side and remained there till the times of Umar, the second caliphate of Muslims, when it was moved a bit away, towards the front of Kaaba (present location), as it was obstructing the performance  of ‘Tawaaf’ during Hajj. An amazing feature about this stone is that even after hundreds of years, the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (May Peace Be Up on Him) are fresh, visible and identifiable, one of  the miracles of Prophet Ibrahim (May Peace Be Up on Him) and a signs of the oneness of Allah.

One can find mention of this sacred stone at various places in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says “And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].”. (Surah Al-Baqra, Verse number 125).This verse clearly signifies the sanctity of Maqam Ibrahim being declared a place for prayer for the Muslims from all over the world. It is mandatory for the Muslims, who visit Kaaba for the performance of Hajj or Umra, to offer two rakah prayers behind Maqam Ibrahim after the performance of their tawaf, an explicit significance of the sacred importance of Maqam Ibrahim. Holy Quran also highlights the humbleness of Prophet Ibrahim (May Peace Be Up on Him) and his son Prophet Ismail (May Peace Be Upon Him) who constantly prayed to Allah for the acceptance of their noble act, as said “And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], “Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”. (Surah Al-Baqra, Verse number127).The Last Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (May Peace Be Up on Him) has also mentioned and talked about the importance, sanctity and holiness of this stone block, the Maqam Ibrahim. The Prophet once said “Indeed the corner and the Maqam are the two corundums from the corundums of Paradise. Allah removed their lights and if there lights had not been removed, then they would illuminate what is between East and West” (Tirmidhi). The saying epitomizes its unique importance and mercy of God, attached with this black stone, a feeling experienced by all those performing Hajj and Umrah.