Mataf refers to the open white area directly around the Kaaba, where the tawaf occurs.
Referring to this, Allah mentions in the Quran:
“We ordered Ibrahim (peace be upon Him) and Ismail (peace be upon Him) (saying):” Clean (remove idols from) My house (Kaaba) for those who perform tawaf, those who remain in it, those who bow (in the Ruku) and the one who prostrate ”(meaning those who perform salas there)”. [Surah Bakara, verse 125, Quran 2:125]
Abdullah bin Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the first to cement this area. Its width was then approximately 5 m, and since then it has expanded from time to time. In 1375 A.H, it was expanded from 40 to 50 meters in the shape of a circle. In the interests of the people performing the Hajj and Umrah, the pulpit, the platform for Adhaan, and some paths were removed from Mataf. Even the Zamzam well was moved to the basement, so that a tawaf could be made over it. The buildings in Mataf and the dome of Maqaam Ibrahim were also demolished so that Mataf could accommodate even more people. By the end of the extension, a rare marble quality was used for laying Matafa, which does not heat up even with strong heat, which allows people to perform tawaf barefoot even on the hottest days.
READ MORE: History Of Hajj And Why Muslim Perform Hajj