The Footprints of Prophet Ibrahim

This domed structure once housed the Maqam Ibrahim. Twice mentioned in the Holy Qur’an (2:125 and 3:97), the Maqam is described as the place where the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) stood to pray in the sacred sanctuary of Makkah al-Mukarramah, Allah commanding it be a site of prayer for Muslims. Inside the structure is a stone that bears the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim, and which is believed to have been his platform when he was constructing the Ka‘bah. After circumambulating the Ka‘bah (tawaf), Muslims follow the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in performing two units of prayer behind the Maqam Ibrahim.

Before the advent of Islam, the Maqam Ibrahim, though regarded with great reverence, remained unadorned. It was first given an outer protection in AH 161/777–78 CE, when the Abbasid caliph Al-Mahdi (r. AH 158–69/775–85 CE) encased it in a gold shell, following news that the stone was close to disintegrating. Subsequent rulers repaired the stone and replaced or renovated its case as needed.

By AH 810/1407 CE, the Maqam was enclosed within the maqsurah, a rectangular, stand-alone structure with a pyramidal roof. The maqsurah was divided into two areas. One section, supported by two pillars, functioned as a prayer space. In the other, which lay on the qiblah side, the Maqam was enclosed within an iron covering, with an exterior dome above it. During the later period, the iron case was covered with a specially made kiswah. 
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the removal of the maqsurah to alleviate congestion in the mataf during the pilgrimage season, and the work was carried out in AH 1384/1965 CE, during the reign of HM King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (r. AH 1384–95/1964–75 AH). A protective cupola-shaped crystal cover was designed to allow pilgrims to see the stone, and over it was installed the present object, a gilded iron grill with a dome and crescent finial. This new structure was unveiled to the public on Rajab 18, 1387 AH/October 22, 1967 CE. In AH 1418/1998 CE, HM King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (r. AH 1402–26/1982–2005 CE) replaced the grill case with a new brass one, which remains in use today.