Chapter on Virtues of Hajj

Zurara ibn A'yan said to Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: "Did you meet Imam Al-Husayn عليه السلام?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Yes, I remember being with him in the Sacred Mosque when a flood entered it, and the people were worried about the Maqam (Station of Ibrahim). Someone would go out and say: 'The flood has taken it away,' and another would come in and say, 'It is still in its place.' Imam Al-Husayn عليه السلام said: 'O so-and-so, what are these people doing?' I said: 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى rectify your affairs, they fear that the flood might have taken the Maqam.' He said: 'Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, has made it a sign; it will not be taken away. Be at ease.' The Maqam was originally placed by Ibrahim عليه السلام next to the wall of the Kaaba, and it remained there until the people of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) moved it to its current location. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) conquered Mecca, he returned it to the spot where Ibrahim عليه السلام had placed it, and it stayed there until the caliphate of Umar. Umar asked the people: 'Who among you knows the original location of the Maqam?' A man said: 'I know. I had measured its position with a strap, and I still have it.' Umar said: 'Bring it to me.' The man brought it, and Umar measured the position and returned the Maqam to that location."