Saudi authorities released detailed images of the Prophet Ibrahim’s shrine stone on Wednesday, thanks to new photographic technology.
The stone, adjacent to the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah, is protected by a brass dome and metal casings.
It was photographed by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques using a stacked panoramic focus technique.
Islamic scholars say that the shrine stone and the Black Stone were brought down to Earth from heaven and handed over to Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail to build the Kaaba.
It is believed that Ibrahim stepped on it while he was building Kaaba, leaving his footmarks.
Prophet Mohammed described the shrine's stone and the Black Stone as "two rubies from Heaven, had God not faded their lights they would have lit the Earth from its east to west" in a clear indication of their sacredness in Islam, according to the two holy mosques Twitter account.
The stone is square and impressions of Ibrahim’s feet are said to be inside its two egg-shaped hollows.
The shrine is about 11 metreseast of the Kaaba's door.
Abbasid Caliph Al Mahdi was the first ruler in Islam to cover the shrine stone with copper, historians say.
During the reign of Caliph Al Mutawakil it was encased in gold and silver to protect it further.
In modern times, King Faisal bin Abdulaziz ordered the expansion of the Grand Mosque.
Buildings were removed to make way for the circumambulation rituals that are performed there by many millions of pilgrims.
Crystal glass and silver covers were installed during the process to protect the stone.
The shrine took its current form and was covered with its protective brass mini dome during the during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, who also expanded the Grand Mosque.
The Grand Mosque in Makkah – in pictures
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Reading List
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How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
