It is mentioned that the graves of Prophet Ishmael (Ismail) and Hagar are in the Hijr area of the Kaaba. If this is true, how can prayers be performed there?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is narrated that Hagar and her son Ishmael (Ismail) were buried in the "Hijr" location. (See Akhbaru Makkah, 1/313)

Hijr: Hijr refers to the area inside the Kaaba known as Hatim, which is surrounded by a half-wall. There is no drawback to performing prayers there, but tawaf (circumambulation) is performed outside of it.

Hijr of Ishmael is the name of a space located on the northern facade of the Kaaba. It is named after the Prophet Ishmael, who was brought up and protected there by his father, the Prophet Abraham. Hijr of Ishmael is surrounded by a half-circular wall, approximately 131 cm high. The space between this wall and the Kaaba is called Hijr of Ishmael.

Since it is certain that at least three meters of the Hijr of Ishmael are part of the Kaaba and are adjacent to its wall, anyone praying in this area is considered to be praying inside the Kaaba. This is supported by a hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):

“I wanted to enter inside the Kaaba to perform prayers there. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took me to Hijr of Ishmael and said,

“When you want to enter the Kaaba, perform prayers at Hijr of Ishmael because Hijr of Ishmael is a part of the Kaaba. When your people built the Kaaba (again), they narrowed it and removed Hijr from it.” (Tirmidhi, Hajj, 48; Nasai, Hajj, 128).

Based on this hadith, some scholars argue that the entire Hijr area is considered part of the Kaaba.

Accordingly, if the narration about the graves of Prophet Ishmael and his mother being in Hijr is sound, it is clear that their graves should be located in the part of Hijr that is not considered part of the Kaaba.

The fact that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed prayers in Hijr and advised Aisha to do so (Ibn Majah, Manasik, 31) despite his instruction not to turn graves into mosques (Bukhari, Janaiz, 62, 96), confirms this understanding.

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