Important Facts to Know about Hateem (Hajr e Ismail)

by Ady Grewal Content writer

Hajr e Ismail or Hateem is the crescent-shaped area that remains located adjacent to the Holy Kaabah. This was the exact place where Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) built a shelter for his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) and wife Hajar (AS).

Here a few important facts to know about Hateem.

Part of Holy Kaabah.

Reconstruction of Kaabah; When Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) was 35 years of age, a huge flood came and damaged the structure of Kaabah which was already weakened by a previous fire break out. As the Quraysh saw their house of worship under threat, they decided to rebuild the Kaabah. It was one of their decisions not to use tainted money for the construction of Holy Kaabah. Thus, the shipwreck from a nearby port was brought for the construction.

The reconstruction started and every tribe had a particular duty. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his Uncle Abbas (RA) brought stones and stacked them in one place as their contribution. However, the people were unsuccessful in collecting enough untainted money for complete reconstruction. For this reason, a small wall displaying the boundaries of the original foundation laid by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was built.

Hadith and Quran; It is clearly evident from the Quran and various hadiths that Hateem is the part of Holy Kaabah. Hazrat Aisha narrated that Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) upon asking told her (RA) that Hijr was the part of Holy Kaabah and was not included in the walls of Kaabah because Quraysh did not have sufficient funds.

Considerations for Performing Tawaf

Since Hateem is a part of Holy Kaabah, it remains obligatory to include it in Tawaf also. Otherwise, tawaf is incomplete. An approximate area of 3 meters close to the wall on the side of the Hateem is the part of the Kaabah, the rest of the area falls outside the Kaabah. However, it is compulsory for pilgrims coming for umrah and hajj through their hajj packages, to perform Tawaf outside the complete area of the Hateem.

Praying in Hateem or Hijr Ismail

Praying in Hateem is just like praying inside the Holy Kaabah, as it remains part of it. Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrated that when she (RA) wished to perform salah inside the Kaabah, Hazarat Muhammad (SAWW) took her to Hijr and told her to pray salah here because it is the Part of Baytullah (Holy Kaabah).

However, it is permissible to pray Nafal Salah only just like our Prophet (PBUH) did. One must not perform obligatory prayers in Hateem because Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) never did so.

The miracle of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW)

Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) once stood on Hijr Ismail, narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (RA). He (RA) heard Muhammad (SAWW) saying that when people of Quraysh did not believe my (Prophet Muhammad’s PBUH) night journey (Miraj), I stood on Hijr Ismail while Allah displayed Jerusalem in front of me. And thus, I began describing it to them while I was looking at it.

That’s how Hateem finds great religious, historical and spiritual significance in Islam.