The Holy Kaaba
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The Kaaba (Arabic: الكعبة,al-Kaabah,English The Cube) is a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam.The building predates Islam, and, according to Islamic tradition, Kaaba was re-built by Ibrahim. The building has a mosque built around it, the Masjid Al-Haram. All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.
One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if they are able to do so. Multiple parts of the Hajj require pilgrims to walk seven times around the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction. This circumambulation, the Tawaf, is also performed by pilgrims during the Umrah (Lesser pilgrimage).However, the most dramatic times are during the Hajj, when about three million (Officially) pilgrims simultaneously gather to circle the building on the same day.
One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if they are able to do so. Multiple parts of the Hajj require pilgrims to walk seven times around the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction. This circumambulation, the Tawaf, is also performed by pilgrims during the Umrah (Lesser pilgrimage).However, the most dramatic times are during the Hajj, when about three million (Officially) pilgrims simultaneously gather to circle the building on the same day.
History Of Kaaba
According to the Qur'an, the Kaaba was re-built by Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace On Him) and his son Ismaill (Ishmael) (Peace On Him) .Islamic traditions assert that the Kaaba "Reflects" a house in heaven called Al-Baytu l-Mamur (Arabic: البيت المعمور) and that it was first built by the first man, Adam (Peace On Him) and is believed that it is the first building ever built on earth. Ibrahim and Ismail (Peace On Both) rebuilt the Kaaba on the old foundations.
According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was rebuilt 5 to 12 times. The academic and historian says the Kaaba was rebuilt between five to 12 times. First Construction is made by Malika.Then it is rebuilt by the Prophet Adam (Peace On Him) .After Adam his son Seth (شیث) (Peace On Both) rebuilt it. But due to flood of Nooh the structure is taken in heaven after that the Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail (Peace On Both) to rebuild the Kaaba.
After this happened several times before rebuilding The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). The reconstruction of the Kaaba is made by tribe of Almalqh,Jrhm and Muzhar.At the time of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him),After a flash flood, the Kaaba is damaged and the walls were cracked. It should be rebuilt. These tasks are divided among four tribes of Quraish. He also helped in the effort to rebuild this. After the walls rebuilt, it is time Hajar aswad stone laid back in place in the East wall of the Kaaba.
Conflict occurs when it comes to determining who is honored laying the Black Stone. When the dispute almost turned into a fight, Abu Umayyads, Makkah's oldest resident, suggested that the first man who entered the masjid gate the next day morning will decide the matter.The man is the Prophet. Population of Makkah rejoiced
It is al-Amin. He is Mohammad," they shouted.
He approached them and asked them to decide the matter. He agreed.He suggested that the black stone was laid on a piece of cloth, all edges of cloth held by a tribal leader. Cain was elected to place the stone put. He then took a stone and put it in place on the wall of the Kaaba.
The Kaaba has been repaired and reconstructed many times since Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) day. Abd-Allah Ibn Al-Zubayr, who ruled Mecca for many years between the death of Ali and the consolidation of Ummayad power, is said to have demolished the old Kaaba and rebuilt it to include the hatim, a semi-circular wall now outside the Kaaba. He did so on the basis of a tradition (found in several hadith collections) that the hatim was a remnant of the foundations of the Abrahamic Kaaba, and that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) himself had wished to rebuild so as to include it.
This structure was destroyed or partially destroyed in 683, during the war between Al-Zubayr and Umayyad forces commanded by Al-Hajjaj Bin Yousef. Al-Hajjaj used stone-throwing catapults against the Meccans.The Ummayads under Abdu l-Malik Ibn Marwan finally reunited all the former Islamic possessions and ended the long civil war. In 693 he had the remnants of Al-Zubayr's Kaaba razed, and rebuilt on the foundations set by the Quraysh.The Kaaba returned to the cube shape it had taken during Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) lifetime.
According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was rebuilt 5 to 12 times. The academic and historian says the Kaaba was rebuilt between five to 12 times. First Construction is made by Malika.Then it is rebuilt by the Prophet Adam (Peace On Him) .After Adam his son Seth (شیث) (Peace On Both) rebuilt it. But due to flood of Nooh the structure is taken in heaven after that the Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail (Peace On Both) to rebuild the Kaaba.
After this happened several times before rebuilding The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). The reconstruction of the Kaaba is made by tribe of Almalqh,Jrhm and Muzhar.At the time of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him),After a flash flood, the Kaaba is damaged and the walls were cracked. It should be rebuilt. These tasks are divided among four tribes of Quraish. He also helped in the effort to rebuild this. After the walls rebuilt, it is time Hajar aswad stone laid back in place in the East wall of the Kaaba.
Conflict occurs when it comes to determining who is honored laying the Black Stone. When the dispute almost turned into a fight, Abu Umayyads, Makkah's oldest resident, suggested that the first man who entered the masjid gate the next day morning will decide the matter.The man is the Prophet. Population of Makkah rejoiced
It is al-Amin. He is Mohammad," they shouted.
He approached them and asked them to decide the matter. He agreed.He suggested that the black stone was laid on a piece of cloth, all edges of cloth held by a tribal leader. Cain was elected to place the stone put. He then took a stone and put it in place on the wall of the Kaaba.
The Kaaba has been repaired and reconstructed many times since Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) day. Abd-Allah Ibn Al-Zubayr, who ruled Mecca for many years between the death of Ali and the consolidation of Ummayad power, is said to have demolished the old Kaaba and rebuilt it to include the hatim, a semi-circular wall now outside the Kaaba. He did so on the basis of a tradition (found in several hadith collections) that the hatim was a remnant of the foundations of the Abrahamic Kaaba, and that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) himself had wished to rebuild so as to include it.
This structure was destroyed or partially destroyed in 683, during the war between Al-Zubayr and Umayyad forces commanded by Al-Hajjaj Bin Yousef. Al-Hajjaj used stone-throwing catapults against the Meccans.The Ummayads under Abdu l-Malik Ibn Marwan finally reunited all the former Islamic possessions and ended the long civil war. In 693 he had the remnants of Al-Zubayr's Kaaba razed, and rebuilt on the foundations set by the Quraysh.The Kaaba returned to the cube shape it had taken during Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) lifetime.
The Size of the Kaaba
The current height of the Kaaba is 39 feet, 6 inches and total size comes to 627 square feet.The inside room of the Kaaba is 13x9 meters. The Kaaba's walls are one meter wide. The floor inside is 2.2 meters higher than the place where people perform Tawaaf.
The ceiling and roof are two levels made out of wood. They were reconstructed with teak which is capped with stainless steel.The walls are all made of stone. The stones inside are unpolished, while the ones outside are polished.
The ceiling and roof are two levels made out of wood. They were reconstructed with teak which is capped with stainless steel.The walls are all made of stone. The stones inside are unpolished, while the ones outside are polished.
What is inside the Kaaba?
- There are three pillars inside
- There is a table on the side to put items like perfume
- There are two lantern-type lamps hanging from the ceiling
- The space can accommodate about 50 people
- There are no electric lights inside
- The walls and floors are of marble
- There are no windows inside
- The upper inside walls of the Kaaba were covered with some kind of curtain with the Kalima written on it.
- There is only one door
Cleaning
The building is opened twice a year for a ceremony known as "The cleaning of the Kaaba." This ceremony takes place roughly thirty days before the start of the month of Ramadan and the same period of time before the start of the annual pilgrimage.
The keys to the Kaaba are held by the Bani Shayba (بني شيبة) tribe. Members of the tribe greet visitors to the inside of the Kaaba on the occasion of the cleaning ceremony. A small number of dignitaries and foreign diplomats are invited to participate in the ceremony. The governor of Mecca leads the honored guests who ritually clean the structure, using simple brooms. Washing of the Kaaba is done with a mixture of Zamzam and Persian rosewater.
Related To Kaaba
1) Kaaba corners or Rukan
- The black corner-South east corner
- The Shami corner-Direction of Syria
- Yamani corner-South west corner
- Iraqi corner-Direction of Iraq
2) Black Stone or Hajr-e-Aswad
Located at the southeastern part of Kaaba, a sign of divine grace.Its diameter is 30 cm, surrounded with a silver frame. The circler is required to kiss the black stone if possible.Large crowds can make kissing the Stone impossible, so as pilgrims walk round the Kaaba they point to the Stone on each pass.
It is told that Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
When the black stone was lowered from paradise, it was whiter than milk, but the sins of humans made it black.
It is told that Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
When the black stone was lowered from paradise, it was whiter than milk, but the sins of humans made it black.
3) Hateem
A half circled place adjacent to Kaaba is called "Hateem". It is originally the inner side of Holy Kaaba but in the times of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) it could not be built completely due to non availability of funds. It means holy kaba was initially in rectangle shape not as squared as we see today.Hateem is actually the inner part of kaba and because of this fact the tawaf is done out side hateem. It means tawaf is done in rectangular shape covering holy kaba as well as hateem. Secondly no compulsory salat (5 times mandatory prayers) is permitted to offer in hateem. Hateem is closed when the imam leads 5 time compulsory prayer. However pilgrims may offer their nafils (optional prayers) in this area. pilgrims try to offer two rakat nafil here quickly as it is very little place and many many muslim brothers and sisters wait for their turn. Ladies may also offer their nafil salat here behind men at any time.This place has been kept open so that a worshiper could get the opportunity to pray (Nafil) here. It is just an equal honour for a faithful as he prays inside the Holy Kaaba.
4) Al-Multazem
It is between the black stone and the door of Kabah. AI Multzem, the Arabic word, means the thing at which people attach and supplicate.
5) Mizab-e-Rahmat
It is a water spout, which drops in Hateem. During rain, when the water of Kaba Roof falls down in Hateem through this Mizab, it is considered very pure and holy water. If someone gets this chance, he must use this water to wet his whole body.
6) Station of Ibrahim (Maqam lbraheem)
It is the stone upon which Ibrahim (May Allah be please with him) was standing while he was building the Kabah.The trace of footprints is clear in the stone.