The Tawaf Area

The Mataf, that white marble courtyard that surrounds the K’abah. This space, also called the “Sahn,” is the heart of the Grand Mosque, pulsing with life and spirituality. In this pure place, Muslims from every corner of the world gather to perform Tawaf around the Ka’bah in a reverent display of submission and devotion to Allah. The souls are engaging in Tawaf, Ruku’, and Sujud in harmony. This scene, which continues uninterrupted day and night, tells the story of Iman throughout time.

History and Development of the Mataf

Initially, the Mataf was a limited area surrounded by the old houses of Makkah, designated solely for Tawaf. It underwent successive expansions as the number of pilgrims increased. ‘Abdullahi ibn uz-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) was the first to develop it using surrounding stones, being the start of continuous care. During the Umayyad era, marble was introduced for the first time by al-Walid ibn ‘Abdul-Malik, with subsequent improvements by Abbasid and Ottoman caliphs who used white onyx marble to beautify its floor.

In the Saudi Era, under the Guidance of the Upright Saudi Leadership

The Mataf witnessed unprecedented architectural and spiritual renaissance. The Mataf underwent major expansions to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims and visitors. In 1388 AH, the diameter of the Mataf was expanded to reach 64.8 meters, and in 1399 AH, its area was increased to cover 8500 square meters. The floors were replaced with bright white marble, specially designed to remain cool underfoot even in the hottest weather..

Spiritual Landmarks in the Architecture of the Mataf

The Mataf was adorned with pillars carrying lanterns that illuminated the nights of circumambulation. These individual efforts began in the early ages and continued during the caliphate of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, who established the first organized lamps to light the Mataf. Over time, the pillars evolved into more durable and beautiful columns, adding a majestic spiritual atmosphere to the place.

The Mataf housed many landmarks bearing deep religious and historical symbolism, such as the Zamzam well, the watering place of Abbas, and the Bani Shaybah gate through which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, entered. With modern expansions, these landmarks were rearranged in a manner that preserved their sanctity and provided more space for pilgrims to move and worship with humility.

The pulpit, from which preachers delivered the message of Islam, evolved over the ages. From the small wooden pulpit gifted by Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan to the grand, ornate pulpit sent by Harun al-Rashid, to the marble pulpit gifted by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 966 AH, adorned with gold and silver, becoming one of the greatest architectural masterpieces. In the Saudi era, modern technology was added to the pulpit while maintaining its originality, allowing it to be used with a remote control system, blending ancient beauty with contemporary innovation.

The four Maqams (stations), which symbolized the diversity of Islamic jurisprudence schools, were removed in the era of King ‘Abdul-‘Aziz in 1377 AH, in an effort to unite Islamic ranks and eliminate manifestations of sectarianism.

Conclusion

The Mataf has been and will continue to be a testament to the spirituality and rich history of Muslims. With every modification or expansion, the primary goal remains to serve the guests of Allah and facilitate their worship. The Mataf remains a symbol of monotheism, where souls and hearts converge in the presence of the House of Allah.