Hijr Ismail (al-Hatim)

The semicircle enclosed by a low wall on the Kaaba's northern side. It is part of the Kaaba.

History and Seerah

Aisha asked the Prophet ﷺ whether this enclosure was part of the House. He said yes, and that Quraysh left it outside when they rebuilt the Kaaba because they ran short of money (Bukhari 1584). He told her to pray in it if she wanted to pray inside the House (Tirmidhi 876, Hasan Sahih).

Visitor tips

Tawaf goes around the outside of the Hijr. A circuit walked through it does not count. Entry for prayer is only at set times, visits are short, and you join the staff's queue.