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:
No doubt Maqaam Ibrahim is established, that which the glass has been placed over is the Maqaam. However it does not seem that the imprints are the original imprints, rather the holes have been placed as a marker only. What is known from history is that the original imprints eroded away a long time ago.
Source: Questions & Answers on Hajj (no.505) .
Prepared by: Shaykh Abu Muadh Taqweem Aslam (@abumuadhtaqweem)
السلام عليكم
What is the ruling when reading the Quran & hadeeth to imagine the prophets, Sahaba, Paradise, Fire, the angels etc.?
For example, when reading Surah As-Shu’araa the conversation between Musa alayhi as salaam and Firawn, a picture may come to mind imagining this setting and what took place.
جزاكم الله خيرا
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Some people visualize what they read. As it relates to the creation of Allah, then these people have been described so that you could imagine what they looked like. It is allowed, however, one should not be certain that his imagined specific image that he thought of is the actual image of that prophet or person, just for accuracy’s sake. What is forbidden is to imagine our Lord’s image or some of His Attributes. Instead, one ponders over His creation.
Having said that, personally imagining a dialogue between two created beings mentioned in the Quran is one thing, and enacting or depicting that as a play or movie is another thing entirely, The latter is strictly forbidden, as clarified by the people of knowledge. And Allah knows best.
As salamu alaykum ustadh Moosaa,
What is the ruling on a person who makes it a habit to talk with deception- for example- a brother asks another brother “do you have a fruit?” The second brother knows he is asking about a fruit as in that which is edible like oranges and grapes, which he does not possess, however his children are the fruit of his heart, so he says ‘yes.’ This person has a habit of speaking in this manner so much so that their everyday dealings are riddled with these types of communications including with their family, thus causing the problem of miscommunication, such as a family member saying “but you told me such and such” eg “I told you I need you to get me bananas and you said okay”, they respond back something like “I said okay in acknowledgement of the statement, not okay to getting you bananas”, thus deceiving the person by planting a seed in their mind yet intending a different thing. Such a person may believe they have a basis in the story of Ibrahim eg when he said “I am sick” or “this is my Lord!” Can you please clarify this action and whether it is permissible, especially on a habitual basis as it causes fitnah in relationships. BaarakAllaahu Feekum
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. Such a person will be considered by the people to be a liar or a deceiver, and they will not trust him, despite his explanations. Meaning: Even if he were to prove that he had a truthful angle in each interaction, people would naturally come to the conclusion that: “We simply cannot trust what he says at face value; there is always a trick or something hidden in his words!” Instead, we should speak clearly and transparently; what we say is what we mean, not riddles or codes that need deciphered.
BENEFIT: Ibn Muflih (may Allah have Mercy on him) in his al-Aadaab ash-Shar’iyyah mentioned that using ma’aareedh is disliked, unless there is a specific need, in order to avoid lying. Scholars have also mentioned that they are never permissible to conceal oppression or harm.
And Allah knows best.