The Remains of the Prophets
The Station of Ibrahim
The Station of Ibrahim, known as the niche found in the Sacred Mosque, is a significant site where the imams perform prayers. This niche is where Prophet Ibrahim stood while constructing the Kaaba. As a result, it was named after him. Allah the Almighty stated: (And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer). It is reported that the imprints of his feet were once visible there, but these marks faded due to constant touching by visitors. Ibrahim stood on this spot when the height of the building exceeded his own stature, leaving an impression of his feet. These imprints remained until the early days of Islam. It is also narrated that the station was originally attached to the Kaaba until the time of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, who moved it back to provide more space for worshippers and those performing Tawaf around the Kaaba. There are several reasons for considering the Station of Ibrahim as a place to pray, including:
- Addressing the concerns of the noble companions regarding prayer behind the Station. There was discomfort in praying with the niche between them and the Kaaba as they did not wish to place anything between themselves and the sacred site. Umar Ibn Al-Khattab advised the Prophet -peace be upon him- to establish it as a place of prayer, leading to the revelation: (And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer).
- Emulating the actions of the earlier prophets and feeling honored by their deeds.
- Preserving the memory of Ibrahim -peace be upon him-.
The Hijr of Ismail
The Hijr of Ismail is a semi-circular area outside the wall of the Kaaba, also referred to as the Hatim. According to Ibn Ishaq, it was a structure built from aarak trees by Ibrahim -peace be upon him-, intended as a shelter for his son Ismail’s goats. This Hijr is situated on the north side of the Kaaba, to the left of those performing Tawaf.
The Grave of Prophet Muhammad
The grave of the Prophet -peace be upon him- is located in Medina, known as the illuminated city because of his tomb. The grave lies within the Prophet’s Mosque, in the southern-eastern part of the sacred chamber, and is now covered with a roof and topped with a lead dome.
The Sacred Mosque
The Sacred Mosque is the first mosque established on Earth, situated in Mecca. Allah the Almighty stated: (Indeed, the first house established for mankind was that at Makkah, blessed and a guidance for the worlds). Historical accounts mention that the mosque started as a small area without walls, with nearby houses surrounding it, through which visitors entered. During Umar Ibn Al-Khattab’s time, he purchased some of these houses and constructed a small wall around the mosque. Later, under the leadership of Uthman Ibn Affan, it was expanded. The Hanafi scholars have noted that it is the greatest mosque in terms of sanctity and one of the three sacred mosques to which travel is recommended, indicating its special status.
Offering prayers in the Sacred Mosque is equivalent to 100,000 prayers elsewhere. The Prophet -peace be upon him- stated: (A prayer in my mosque is better than a thousand prayers performed elsewhere, except for the Sacred Mosque, where a prayer is better than 100,000 prayers performed elsewhere). It was built by the Prophets Ibrahim and his son Ismail -peace be upon them- and serves as the qibla for Muslims. Furthermore, Allah blessed it and made it a guidance for humanity. Al-Suyuti mentioned that the first to build it was Adam -peace be upon him-, with its dimensions being 25 cubits in length and 20 cubits in width.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque
Located in Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is built on the slopes of a mountain and is also known as the Holy House, which signifies a place purified from sins. It is among the mosques towards which travel is recommended, and the rewards for prayers performed there are multiplied. It is recognized as the second mosque built on Earth after the Sacred Mosque, the third of the two holy sanctuaries, and the location of the Prophet’s night journey -peace be upon him-. This is mentioned in the Quran: (Glory be to Him Who took His Servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing).
It is believed that Adam -peace be upon him- was the first to construct it, which Abraham -peace be upon him- later renovated. Umar Ibn Al-Khattab then restored and renovated it, before it remained in disrepair for nearly ninety years until it was reclaimed by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in 1187 CE. It is also said that Jacob -peace be upon him- built it, with the mosque being the first qibla for Muslims. It is narrated that Ibrahim -peace be upon him- built it forty years after the construction of the Sacred Mosque. According to Abu Dharr -may Allah be pleased with him-, he asked the Prophet: (Which mosque was built first on earth?) The Prophet replied: (The Sacred Mosque.) Abu Dharr then asked: (Then which one?) The Prophet answered: (The Al-Aqsa Mosque.) Abu Dharr further asked: (How much time elapsed between them?) He said: (Forty years). The mosque was rebuilt during the era of Solomon -peace be upon him- and was in ruins during the night of the Isra and Mi’raj, with only some remnants remaining. When the Muslims liberated it, they found it in ruins, and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab cleaned it before it was reconstructed again during the reign of Al-Walid Ibn Abdul-Malik.
The Prophet’s Mosque
The Prophet -peace be upon him- established the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina after his migration, laying its foundations on the principles of piety. This mosque is the second of the two holy sanctuaries and one of the places to which travel is recommended, with the rewards of prayers performed there also multiplied. Furthermore, the Prophet’s Mosque houses the grave of the Prophet -peace be upon him-.
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is the mountain where Allah spoke to His Prophet Musa -peace be upon him-. This significant event is mentioned in several verses of the Quran, including: (When he saw a fire on the side of the mountain). It is also referred to as the Mount of Sinai, and the Mount of Sacredness. The speaking of Allah occurred on the right side of the mountain, located in the blessed valley of Tuwa in the Sinai Peninsula. This valley is known as the Sacred Valley, as indicated by Allah’s words: (Indeed, I am your Lord; so remove your sandals. You are in the Sacred Valley of Tuwa). This valley was the location of divine revelation to Musa -peace be upon him-, where it is said to either be a valley at the base of the mountain or a mountain in the Levant.
The Footprint of Adam
Historically, accounts mention the existence of Adam’s footprint on a mountain in Sri Lanka where he is believed to have landed. This mountain is called “Adam’s Peak,” and the footprint is visible from a distance of three days’ journey by sea. The length of this footprint has been recorded as seven cubits, with some accounts suggesting it could be seventy cubits. Many types of sapphires surround it. It is said that Sri Lanka is a vast island in the Harkand Sea, located in India, containing the mountain where Adam descended, known as Al-Rahun, which has a single footprint embedded in rock. This footprint represents the second step Adam took towards the sea, with the distance between the two steps being a day’s journey and a night.