MASJIDUL HARAM

Masjidul Haraam is a very prominent mosque. It is unique in its excellence. It is a very exalted place. A single prayer here is equivalent to a lakh prayers in other mosques. Hence we should take maximum benefit of the time in Masjidul Haraam through its excellence. Kaabah is in the middle of Masjidul Haraam. The building is simple and cuboid and 15 metres in height. On seeing Kaba, one should say:

THE HOLY KAABAH

The House of Allah and the birth place of I. Ali b. Abi Taalib [a]

RUKN AL-SHARQI

This is the corner where Hajar al-Aswad rests.

RUKN AL-SHIMALI / IRAQI

This is corner that comes after the Ka'aba's door before one reaches Hijr Ismail.

RUKN SHAMI/GHARBI

This is the corner of the Ka'aba that comes after Hijr Ismail

RUKN AL-YAMANI (AIMAN) (THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE CORNER OF THE KA'ABA)

This is opposite the Black Stone behind the House. The Prophet [s] said "Whenever I come at this point, I find Jibril is already there before me." I. al-Sadiq [a] said: "Rukn al-Aiman is our gate to Paradise". He also said: "In this place is one of the doors of Paradise that has never been closed since it was opened. There is a river from Paradise in which deeds of the servants are dropped." Also called Rukn al-Junubi. It comes before the Black Stone corner. Also I. Jafar as-Sadiq (a) says:

THE BLACK STONE (HAJAR-E-ASWAD)

It is a black oval-shaped stone fixed on the eastern pillar of Kaabah. H. Ibraheem (a) fixed it and it is called 'Hajar-e-Aswad.' It is one and half meter above the surface of ground.

MULTAZIM

It is in between Hajar-e-Aswad and the door of Kaabah. It is a place for supplication and repentance.

MUSTAJAAR

Near the pillar of Yemen and opposite to the door of Kaabah there is a place where sinners take refuge. It is recommended that one rubs Mustajaar and recites the following Supplication:

NAAWADAN-E-RAHMAT

This place is over Holy Kaabah near Hajar-e-Ismaeel. This is a place of showering of Divine mercy, repentance and supplication.

HATEEM

This is in between the door of Kaabah and Hajar-e-Aswad. This called 'Hateem' because here people trample each other in order to touch Hajar-e-Aswad. Some people say that Hateem is a wall which seems to have a circle in which Hajar-e-Ismaeel is fixed.

HAJAR-E-ISMA'EEL

This is a semi circle which is placed on 1.30 metre high wall. It is to the south of Kaabah. There are graves of H. Ismaeel (a) and his mother. According to some other narrations there are graves of some prophets here.

PLACE OF IBRAHEEM [MAQAAM-E-IBRAHIM (A)]

This is a place 13 metres away from Kaabah. There is a small dome here which is covered by glass. There is a stone inside it. It is said that H. Ibraheem (a) used to stand on this stone and invite people towards Allah. The marks of his holy feet exist on this stone. The people going for Hajj perform their circumambulation prayers (Namaz-e-Tawaaf) behind this place only.

ZAM ZAM

It is the name of a well of water which Allah, by His Grace, created under the feet of H. Ismaeel (a). It had to be repaired many times due to disasters in its long history. Even todays, people going for Hajj benefit by it. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to pay special attention on the water of this well. Believers have always considered it blessed. The water of Zam Zam is blessed and a cure (of illness). The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had asked for the water of Zam Zam in Medina. It is narrated that when you drink the water of Zam Zam recite this:

SAFAA AND MARWAH

Safa is to the South-East and Marwah to the North-East of Kaabah. The scene of Safa and Marwah is astonishing and beautiful. It is recommended for men to trot for about 70 metres. The boundaries of the turf (trotting area) are marked by green lamps.