The Actual Footprints of Ibrahim at the Ka’bah?

What is “Maqaam Ibrahim”? And are they the Actual Footprints of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace)?
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have Mercy on him) mentioned:
The Maqaam is the rock Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) would stand upon to build the Ka’bah. When the walls became high Isma’il (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) brought his father Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) the rock so he could stand upon it, and he would pass him the stones. Every time one side was completed they would move to the other side with the rock, Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) would stand upon it (& build the high parts of the walls on each side).
The footprints of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) were clear in the rock, and the Arabs knew of them in Jaahiliyyah.
Thereafter, the Muslims witnessed them too (once Islam was revealed). It is narrated from Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه who stated: “I saw the Maqaam and in it the imprints of the toes and soles of the feet of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), however, people constantly wiping the imprints (despite it not being legislated) have eroded them.
Source: Tafseer of Ibn Katheer (2:125)
Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen was asked, “Are the imprints in Maqaam Ibrahim his actual footsteps?” The shaikh replied: Continue reading

Menstrual Cycle Starts After Beginning an ‘Umrah – What to do

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

When a woman has begun her rites of ‘Umrah by entering into a state of ihraam, what does she do if she gets her menses before she manages to complete her ‘Umrah?

The great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said:

فإذا حاضت المرأة قبل أن تبدأ بالعمرة فإنها تبقى في مكة حتى تطهر، ثم تطوف وتسعى وتقصّر،.

When a woman gets her menses before beginning the ‘Umrah (after assuming ihram), she is to remain in Makkah until she becomes pure (i.e. her menstrual cycle ends), after which she is to make tawaaf (around the Ka’bah), perform Sa’ee (between Safaa and Marwah), and shorten her hair.

فإن دعت الحاجة عند سفرها إلى الطائف أو جدة أو غيرهما، سافرت وهي على إحرامها ترجع حتى تؤدي طواف العمرة وسعيها

If some necessity related to her trip requires her to go to Taif, Jeddah, or elsewhere, she may travel there, remaining in a state of ihraam until she returns to perform the tawaaf and sa’ee of ‘Umrah.

إلا إن كانت قد قالت عند الإحرام، “فإن حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني”، ثم أصابها الحيض، فلها التّحلل، يعني إذا أصابها عذر، حبسني حابس، يعني: عذرًا كالحيض، فإنها تحلّ ولا شيء عليها، أو أصابها مرض

This is unless Continue reading

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan: Applauding (Clapping) is Imitating the Non-Muslims

In the Name of Allaah…

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:

From the aspects of the pre-Islaamic period of ignorance (jaahiliyyah) that the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) opposed them in was their attempt to draw near to Allaah in worship by whistling and clapping.  Allaah, the Most High, has said:

( وما كان صلاتهم عند البيت إلا مكاء وتصدية )

( Their prayer at the House (the Ka’bah) was but whistling and clapping ) [8:35]

This means that the polytheists would only try to draw near to Allaah at the prestigious Ka’bah by whistling and clapping…

…They would do this at the House (the Ka’bah), calling it “prayer”, thinking to draw near to Allaah, the Exalted and Most High.  It was just one of the ways the devils of mankind and Jinn had beautified for them.

We know this because Continue reading