Multazam, the area between the Black Stone and the Ka'bah's door, is known as a place where prayers are hoped to be answered. Here is its etiquette.
Multazam is the part of the Ka'bah located between the Black Stone (Hajar Aswad) and the door of the Ka'bah, stretching about two metres. The name "multazam" comes from a word meaning the place to cling to, for it is here that many pilgrims press their chest, face, and hands while supplicating to Allah.
Multazam is known as one of the places where prayers are hoped to be answered. The companions and later generations used to pray here after completing tawaf. For this reason, many umrah and hajj pilgrims take a moment at Multazam to raise the requests dearest to them.
The common time to be at Multazam is after tawaf, before or after the two-rak'ah prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim. In truth, however, one may pray there whenever able to draw near without disturbing other pilgrims.
The first point of etiquette at Multazam is not to force your way. The area around the Ka'bah is very crowded, especially in peak seasons. If you can approach calmly, press your body and hands to the wall of the Ka'bah and supplicate. If that is not possible, simply face Multazam from a distance and pray sincerely; the merit of the prayer is not lost because of your position.
The second is to safeguard the safety and comfort of others. Do not push, elbow, or step on other pilgrims just to reach the wall. Harming a fellow Muslim contradicts the very aim of worship. Give priority to the elderly and to women so they too may have a chance.
The third is to supplicate abundantly in a language you understand. There is no specific obligatory wording to recite at Multazam. You may ask for anything good: forgiveness of sins, health, righteous offspring, lawful provision, and the good of this world and the next. Convey it wholeheartedly and full of hope in Allah.
Remember that the merit of Multazam is a gift from Allah, not because the stone or wall has any power of its own. Every prayer is still directed to Allah alone. Make the moment at Multazam the peak of surrender for a servant who has come far from home, pleading humbly before the House of Allah. With sound etiquette, a brief time at Multazam can become one of the most memorable moments of the entire journey.
It is worth distinguishing Multazam from several other honoured points around the Ka'bah, such as the Yamani Corner, which is recommended to be touched but not kissed if possible, and Maqam Ibrahim, the place for the two-rak'ah prayer after tawaf. Recognising each position helps pilgrims worship in an orderly way and avoid mistakes.
If on one occasion you have not managed to approach Multazam because it is too crowded, do not be disheartened. You can try again at a quieter time, such as after midnight or outside the peak season. Most importantly, make every chance to pray around the House of Allah a moment to ask wholeheartedly. Remember that Allah hears the supplication of His servant from wherever he stands, as long as it is accompanied by sincerity, conviction, and preserved etiquette towards fellow pilgrims.
