WHAT ISLAM SAYS ABOUT...
Hajj And Umrah
Ka’bah (Kaaba)
The Ka’bah (Kaaba) is the original house of worship on Earth, an ancient structure built by God’s command to serve as a symbol of monotheism throughout the ages, God says.,
What is the Ka’bah (Kaaba)?
The Ka’bah (Kaaba) is the original house of worship on Earth, an ancient structure built by God’s command to serve as a symbol of monotheism throughout the ages. God says,
Surely the first House ˹of worship˺ established for humanity is the one at Bakkah (i.e., Makkah)—a blessed sanctuary and a guide for ˹all˺ people.
[Qur’an, 3:96]
Today, along with serving as the epicenter of the Hajj rites, the Ka’bah is also the universal center for the global body of Muslims. It is the direction that every believer faces in their daily worship of God.
Who built the Ka’bah (Kaaba)?
The Qur’an clearly establishes that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) erected the pillars of this Ancient House of worship, along with his son, Ishmael (pbuh). Allah says,
And ˹remember˺ when Abraham raised the foundation of the House with Ishmael, ˹both praying,˺ “Our Lord! Accept ˹this˺ from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
[Qur’an, 2:127]
Scholars debate, however, over whether this verse meant he was the first to establish the Ka’bah, or if “erected its pillars” meant restoring it following a command from God. The latter position then opens the door for the possibility of the angels first building the Ka’bah in preparation for the arrival of humanity, or Adam (as) doing so in preparation for the monotheists among his descendants.
Why is the Ka’bah (Kaaba) important?
The Ka’bah is important because it represents the ‘House of God’ on Earth (although it is not believed that God “lives” there). It is also the direction that Muslims around the world face when performing the five daily prayers, which represents the unity of Muslims in the worship of the One True God—the Lord of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all other prophets.
Who is Prophet Ibrahim?
Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), or Abraham, was a prophet and messenger of God. He is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Islam, he is known for his refusal to worship idols at a time where people practised idolatry, instead choosing to worship the One God, the Creator of the heavens and earth. It was Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) who raised the pillars of the Ka’bah together with the help of his son, Prophet Ishmael (pbuh). He is known as the father of nations because of his prayer for his descendents to inherit the message of monotheism.
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