Description

The Kabah is a cube-like structure (dimensions) which is surrounded by an enormous Mosque in Makkah Saudi Arabia. The word ‘Kabah’ is Arabic meaning (appropriately enough) ‘Cube’.

The Kabah is covered with a cloth (Kiswah) that is illustrated prominently with Arabic Calligraphy, featuring verses from the Quran. The Kiswah is replaced annually with a new Kiswah during the annual 5-day Hajj period. See Hajj

Embedded into one corner of the Kabah is a metal plate containing a black stone, which according to Islamic tradition is a stone from heaven. See Black Stone

The structure of the Mosque and Kabah are featured prominently in the Videos and Pictures sections of this website. See Pictures, Videos

Finally, next to the Kabah is the “station of Abraham” (Maqam Ibrahim). This is a gold-framed glass case, which contains a footprint that is said to be the footprint of the Prophet Abraham, who re- built the Kabah with his son Ishmael.

Significance

All Muslims are expected to pray daily towards the Kabah (wherever they are in the world). Although Muslims pray towards the Kabah, it is important to note that they do not pray to the Kabah. In, this respect, the Kabah acts as a ‘marker’, indicating a consistent direction of prayer for all Muslims, and therefore highlighting the unity of Islamic brotherhood.

It is described as “God’s house” in the Quran (quote), although one should not read this in its literal sense. Muslims do not believe, that God resides in the Kabah. This is a figurative term.

One of the 5 pillars of Islam holds that every Muslim that is able to (healthy and financially) should visit the Kabah at least once in their life, during an annual 5-day ritual know as “The Hajj”,

Origins

According to Islamic and Arabic tradition, the location of the Kabah is very significant, and has been throughout human history.

In its initial phase, it was a small structure assembled by the first human (Adam)

Its second phase came centuries later, A large structure, more closely representing the cube-like Kabah of today was built by the Biblical prophets Abraham and Ishmael.

Its third and final phase came during the Islamic Era (780?) where it was reclaimed as a place of worship of the (one) God.