The Kabba is the core of the pilgrimage to the holy site in Islam “Mecca”, which is a core principle in the Faith. The Kaaba, meaning cube in Arabic, is a square building, elegantly draped in a silk and cotton veil. Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia nowadays, it is the holiest shrine in Islam. Learn more about the Kabba in more details.
Here we will learn the following:
What is the Kaaba?
Kaaba is an ancient building in Mecca. It was a sanctuary in pre-Islamic times and also in Islam. The Muslims are aspire to undertake the hajj, or the annual pilgrimage to the Kaaba once in their life if they can afford.
This hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, the most fundamental principles of the faith.. This journey to the Kaaba is a long life goal for every Muslim.
Also the most important pillar in Islam is Salah or praying, and in this praying we direct to Mecca & Kaaba.
Who built the Kaaba?
In Islamic teachings, the angels are the ones who built the bases of Kaaba and Ibrahim with his son Ismail constructed the rest of the building of the Kaaba.
They made it originally as a simple unroofed rectangular structure. The Quraysh tribe of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who ruled Mecca and rebuilt the Kabba in the the pre-Islamic period.
What is kaaba black stone?
The Black Stone of the Kabba is a stone of veneration consisting of several parts. It is oval in shape, black in color with a reddish tint, and its diameter is 30 cm. The Black Stone is located in the southeastern corner of the Kaaba from the outside, according to Islamic belief. It is the starting point and end point of circumambulation.
Who can go inside the Kaaba?
The one who is able to go inside the Kaaba twice each year is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques or his representative, the officials who supervise the washing of the Kaaba, and some ambassadors from Arab and Islamic countries.
What is inside the kaaba?
Inside the Kaaba, there are ten white marble stones with the names of caliphs written on them who were cared about building and expanding the Sacred House of God.
What is the history of The Kaaba?
The early history of the Kaaba is not well known. However, it is certain that in the period before the rise of Islam, the KAbba was a polytheist sanctuary and was a site of pilgrimage for people throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
The Qurʾān says of Abraham and Ishmael that they “raised the foundations” of the Kaaba (Quran 2:127). The exact sense is ambiguous, but many Muslims have interpreted the phrase to mean that they rebuilt a shrine first erected by Adam of which only the foundations still existed.
The Kaaba has been destroyed, damaged, and subsequently rebuilt several times since in the Islamic and pre-Islamic hisotry.
Why is the Kaaba important?
The kaaba is important because:
1. Kabba is the first house of Allah:
Kabba is the first house set up for people. Allah Almighty says establishing this fact:
إنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وَضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكاً وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
Surely the first House ˹of worship˺ established for humanity is the one at Bakkah—a blessed sanctuary and a guide for ˹all˺ people. (Quran, 3:96)
2. Kabba is beloved house of all Muslims
The Kaaba is the beloved house of all Muslims and the direction they pray toward in their prayers. Allah Almighty says:
قَدْ نَرَى تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنْتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ
Indeed, We see you ˹O Prophet˺ turning your face towards heaven. Now We will make you turn towards a direction ˹of prayer˺ that will please you. So turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque ˹in Mecca˺—wherever you are, turn your faces towards it. (Quran, 2:144)
3. Kabba is the Destination Pilgrimag
Kabbah is the destination of Muslims in their pilgrimage, as God commanded Muslims to perform pilgrimage to His House. Allah Almighty declares the ruling if pilgrimage to this place saying:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ البَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً.
Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people. (Quran, 3:97)
Conclusion
Curious to visit the Kaaba? Now, it’s time to say shahadah to become a Muslim so that you can go there. Contact us if you want to learn more about Islam and its teachings.
