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Please check and advise what is the reason why there is a white marble wall on the side of the Ka`aba in Makkah? Why do people sit inside praying there until the Athan is called for Salat, then everybody steps outside during the Salat? Do you have any historical data on this subject matter? Thank You!

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Answer:

Hateem White Marble

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

This semi circle on the Ka`abah’s right side when you face towards it, built of white marble with small pillars of lights over there is called al- Hateem.

According to history and Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) this area of Hateem is a part of the Ka`abah. People can offer only their Naffle (voluntary prayer) therein, because in the obligatory prayers they have to follow the Imam leading the five obligatory prayers facing towards the Ka`abah and Hateem is a part of it and it is forbidden to pray in front of the imam. So whosoever offers prayer therein is as if he has offered the prayer in the Ka`abah itself. Moreover, one must do Tawaf out of the Hateem area.

Why this part is left separated from the Ka`abah? 

According to its history, the Makkans (people Makkah) decided to rebuild the weakened structure of the Ka`abah, and therefore they demolished and started building the structure. Their leader at time said “O People of Quraish Tribe”, The structure of Ka`abah should be built only out of pure and Halaal income excluding even that of usury. They didn’t find enough Halaal funds to complete the structure, so they left this part unbuilt. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also didn’t  touch this structure, for many reasons; it is a blessing in disguise for we ordinary Muslims till the Day of Judgment that every ordinary Muslim can offer prayers inside the Ka`abah when he offers in the Hateem area. Because the door of Ka`abah nowadays are opened only to the Muslim rulers and the dignitaries.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

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