The Musallah Jibreel, Masha'Allah, is one of the most spiritually significant spots in Makkah. This sacred site is where the angel Jibreel (AS) taught our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) how to perform the five daily prayers (salah). Known also as Mujjan, the Musallah Jibreel is marked by eight distinct pieces of brown marble, called the Mary Stone, which is one of the rarest types of marble in the world. These unique pieces of marble were a gift from Caliph Abu Jafar al-Mansur. The largest piece measures 21 cm wide and 33 cm long, SubhanAllah.
The Musallah Jibreel is located at the foot of the Holy Ka'bah, near its door, on the bottom right side. It is a revered location, filled with history, as it is where Jibreel (AS) came to teach the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) the method of performing the five daily prayers that have become central to Islamic worship.
Abdullah bin Abbas narrated that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"Jibraeel led me in prayer at the House. He prayed the noon prayer with me when the sun had passed the meridian to the extent of the thong of a sandal; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when the shadow of everything was as long as itself; he prayed the sunset prayer with me when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when the twilight had ended; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me when food and drink become forbidden to one who is keeping the fast."
On the following day, Jibreel (AS) returned and continued to pray with the Prophet (ﷺ) to establish the exact timings and duration for each salah. This detailed guidance was given after the miraculous night journey, Isra and Miraj, to ensure that the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions performed the prayers correctly.
Abdullah bin Abbas further narrated:
"On the following day, he prayed the noon prayer with me when his shadow was as long as himself; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when his shadow was twice as long as himself; he prayed the sunset prayer at the time when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when about the third of the night had passed; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me when there was a fair amount of light. Then turning to me, he said: Muhammad, this is the time observed by the prophets before you, and the time is anywhere between two times."
The Musallah Jibreel is a reminder of the blessed relationship between the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Jibreel (AS). Jibreel stood near the door of the Holy Ka'bah ten times over the course of two days, offering every salah twice to teach the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions the method and duration of each prayer. Masha'Allah, these moments of divine guidance laid the foundation for how Muslims perform their daily prayers to this very day.
Visiting the Musallah Jibreel is a deeply moving experience for pilgrims. Standing in the same place where the Prophet (ﷺ) learned to pray brings one closer to the essence of Islam and its timeless teachings. The marble stones, with their history and beauty, serve as a physical reminder of the spiritual instruction that took place here.