RITES OF HAJJ SECTION · 55 – MULTEZAM
1898 – It is narrated from ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Ṣafwān (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) conquered Mecca, I said: Surely, I will put on my garment and see how the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) circumambulates the Kaʿba. My house was on the way, so I immediately got dressed and went. I saw that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (ṣaḥāba) were performing the istilām (touching or gesturing) of the House from the door of the Kaʿba to the Ḥatīm. Thus, they exited from the Kaʿba. While the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) was in their midst, all of them had placed their cheeks upon the Kaʿba.
EXPLANATION
Multezam: This is the area between the door of the Kaʿba and the Ḥajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). It is also said to be the place between the door of the Kaʿba and the Maqām Ibrāhīm, or the wall where the Ḥajar al-Aswad is located. This is also what is mentioned in the Ṣaḥīḥ of al-Bukhārī. The Isrāʾ ḥadith is cited as evidence for this. Ḥatīm: This refers to the area in front of the Kaʿba, encircled in a semi-circle by the Ḥijr Ismāʿīl.
1899 – It is narrated from ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb, who narrated from his father: I performed ṭawāf (circumambulation) of the Kaʿba with ʿAbdullāh (ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ). When we reached the rear part of the Kaʿba, I said, "Will you not seek refuge in Allah?" ʿAbdullāh replied, "We seek refuge in Allah from the Fire." And he continued until he reached the Ḥajar al-Aswad and performed istilām. Then, he stood between the Rukn al-Ḥajar (the corner of the Black Stone) and the door of the Kaʿba, and placed his chest, face, arms, and hands—spreading them fully—upon the Multezam. After that, he said, "I saw the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) do this." [623]
1900 – It is narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn Sāʾib (may Allah be pleased with him): In the last years of his life, Sāʾib (may Allah be pleased with him) would guide Ibn ʿAbbās, who had lost his sight, by holding his hand during ṭawāf. When they reached the third part after the corner following the Ḥajar al-Aswad, which is the part following the door, he would make him stop there. Ibn ʿAbbās would say to him, "Is it because you have been informed that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed here?" Sāʾib would reply, "Yes." Then Ibn ʿAbbās would stand and perform prayer there. [624]