Important Facts to Know about Hateem
What is Hateem or Hijr Ismail?
Hijr Ismail is also famous as Hateem. Hateem means the stone of Ismail (AS). Hateem is a three-meter wide area adjacent to the north-western wall of the Holy Kabah. The area of Hijr Ismail is surrounded by a crescent-shaped wall prepared out of marble. While the wall of Hijr Ismail is not directly linked to the wall of the Kabah, it is considered a part of the Holy Kabah. It was recognized as the name Hijr Ismail – Stone of Ismail as it was where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) constructed a shelter for his son Prophet Ismail (AS) and wife Hajrah (AS). By availing of Ramadan Umrah Packages, you can see Hateem in Kabah.
Significance of Hateem:
Hateem or Hijr Ismail is considered a part of the Kabah, but Muslims must perform Tawaf outside the whole area of Hijr Ismail. At the time of performing Hajj or Umrah, thousands of Hajis offer two Rakat Nawafl within the holy area of Hateem. It is said that a Muslim receives rewards after praying inside Hateem are equal to the blessings received after praying inside the Kabah.
Main Facts about Hateem:
There are a few significant facts about Hateem given below.
1- Hateem/Hijr Ismail called House of Ismail:
Hateem is a place, where Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) built a shelter for his wife and son. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) used the branches of trees to construct a shelter for his wife and son. Therefore, it was specified the name “Bayt Ismail” that means “House of Ismail.”
2-Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described Miraj on Hateem:
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood on Hateem while he (PBUH) described the incident of Miraj to the people of Quraysh. The people of Quraysh did not accept this incident as true. ALLAH presented Jerusalem (Bait Almuqaddas) in front of the Prophet (PBUH) and he started describing it to the Quraysh people.
3-The Grave of Ismail (A.S) and Hazrat Hajra:
It is believed that after Hajra (AS) passed away, she was buried in the area of Hateem. Later, Prophet Ismail (AS) constructed a boundary around his mother’s grave to prevent people from stepping on it. However, it is also said that the grave of Prophet Ismail (AS) is also positioned in Hateem.
4-Praying in Hateem or Kabah is equivalent:
Praying in the Hateem is the same as praying inside Kabah. It means that rewards for praying in Hateem are equivalent to praying inside the holy Kabah because it is said that Hateem is part of the Kabah.
5-Meezab-e-Rahmah ends at Hateem:
Meezab-e-Rahmah is a pathway of water that starts from the roof of the Holy Kabah and ends at the Hateem area. It is also famous as the water opening of forgiveness.
6-Hateem is the fantasy of Abdul Muttalib:
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandfather Abdul Muttalib loves to sit in the area of Hateem. One night while he was sleeping, he dreamed of a mysterious character that concentrated him to the Zamzam well, hidden underground since the Jurhum society.
So concluding this discussion, Hateem is a semi-circular area equivalent to the walls of the Holy Kabah. It is to be established on the north-western side of the Kabah. The boundaries of Hateem are prepared of marble. The blessings of praying inside Hateem are equivalent to that of praying inside the holy Kabah. By availing of cheap Umrah packages, Muslims can see Hateem in Holy Kabah at the time of performing Umrah.