It wasnarrated that 'Aishah said:
"I asked the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ)about the Hijr, and he said: 'It is part of the House.' I said:'What kept them from incorporating it into it?' He said: 'Theyran outof funds.' I said: 'Why is its door so high up that itcan only bereached with a ladder?'* He said: 'That is what yourpeople did sothat they could let in whoever they wanted and keep outwhoever theywanted. Were it not that your people have so recentlyleft disbeliefbehind, and I am afraid that it would bother them, Iwould havechanged it, incorporating what they left out and I wouldput its doorat ground level."
English reference: Vol. 4, Book 25, Hadith 2955
Arabic reference: Book 25, Hadith 3068