Excellence of Performing Salat (Prayer) in Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid) and the Best Place Therein

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), about the most excellent place for salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid). He (the Imam) replied, ’It is al-Hatim, between the Black Stone and the door of the house.’ I then asked, ‘Which place is excellent thereafter?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is Maqam of Ibrahim (a.s.) .’ I then asked which one is excellent thereafter?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is inside al-Hijr.’ I then asked, ‘Which is excellent thereafter?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Whichever is closer to the House.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if performing Salat (prayer) in all of al-Haram (the sacred area) is of the same degree of virtue. He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, all Salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram are not of the same degree of virtue; then how can it be the same in all of al-Haram (the sacred area)?’ I then asked, ‘Which part of it is more excellent?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is between the door and the Black Stone.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Multazam, for what reason it is held and what is said in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Nearby there is a canal of the canals of paradise in which the deeds of the servants (of Allah) are thrown every Thursday.’”

“Once we were with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he said, ‘You must say a great deal of Salat (prayer) and supplications in this Masjid. There is no doubt that for every servant (of Allah) there is a certain share of sustenance that is passed to him undeniably.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have said that performing Salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram is equal to one hundred thousand Salat (prayer) elsewhere.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have said that performing Salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram is equal to one hundred thousand Salat (prayer) elsewhere.”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I stand up for Salat (prayer) in Makkah and a woman is sitting in front of me or is passing. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful. It is called Bakkah because men and women weep there.’”

“Al-Tayyar once said to him (the Imam) (a.s.), when I also was present, ‘This thing which is added, is it of Masjid? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is of Masjid, they still have not reached Masjid of Ibrahim and ‘Isma‘il, May Allah grant both of them favors.’”

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs Salat (prayer) in Makkah with Maqam (station) of Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam, behind him, facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful. He can perform Salat (prayer) anywhere in the Masjid, in front or behind Maqam (station) of Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam. More virtuous is al-Hatim and al-Hijr, near Maqam (station) of Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam and al-Hatim is in front of the door.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The right of Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam was from al- Hazwarah to al-Mas‘a’; so it is the quarter which Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam had marked, that is, the area of the Masjid.’”

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), if a man performs Salat (prayer) in congregation in his home in Makkah is better or his performing Salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram alone. He (the Imam) said, ‘His performing Salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram alone is better.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Hatim as to why it is called al-Hatim (clashing). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because people there collide against each other.’”