The Kaaba Sharif

[Bittersteel]

Assalamu Alaikum.

I have questions concerning the Kaaba sharif.

Many non-Muslims ask whether we worship the Kaaba or Allah.What response should I make to this question?

Also was it Adam(PBUH) who built it first?

And do birds can fly over it or not?If they can why did people say they can't?

Thanks in advance.

[kadafi]

:sl:

The scholars differed who built it first but I cannot find any evidence that Adam (Peace be upon him) built it first whilst there is evidence that Prophet Ibrahim & Ismail (Peace be upon them) build the foundations.

A good article entitled: The wisdom behind facing the Ka’bah
:w:

[Bittersteel]

thanks brothers....feel free to discuss about these matters......

Salaam Alaikum.

[Preacher]

Qur'an 2:127
And recall what time Ibrahim was raising the foundation of the House and also Ismai'l, praying: our Lord! accept of us; verily Thou! Thou art the Hearer, the Knower!

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Notice in the Ayah 2:127 Prophet Ibraheem (AS) was raising , not laying the foundation. The Kaba existed long before since the time of Adam (AS)

yarfaAAu يَرْفَعُ (were{raising})

alqawaAAida الْقَوَاعِدَ (the foundations)

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[kadafi]

Qur'an 2:127
And recall what time Ibrahim was raising the foundation of the House and also Ismai'l, praying: our Lord! accept of us; verily Thou! Thou art the Hearer, the Knower!

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Notice in the Ayah 2:127 Prophet Ibraheem (AS) was raising , not laying the foundation. The Kaba existed long before since the time of Adam (AS)

yarfaAAu يَرْفَعُ (were{raising})

alqawaAAida الْقَوَاعِدَ (the foundations)

:sl: brother,

Jazaka'Allahu for correcting me that it was raising and not laying, however, the verse still does not support that Adam (Peace be upon him) built it first.

For example, Allaah (Exalted is He) said:

And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim the site of the House (saying): "Associate not anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow and make prostration (in prayer);'')

Ibn Kathir commented on this verse:

Allah tells us that He showed Ibrahim the site of the `Atiq House, i.e., He guided him to it, entrusted it to him and granted him permission to build it. Many scholars take this as evidence to support their view that Ibrahim was the first one to build the House and that it was not built before his time.

Shakyh Munajiid wrote:

It was built by Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) on the command of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when We showed Ibraaheem the site of the (Sacred) House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) (saying): ‘Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who bow and make prostration.” [al-Hajj 22:26]

The word “bawwa’naa” [translated here as “We showed”] means “He guided him and gave him permission to build it.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).

Allaah also says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Ibraaheem and (his son) Ismaa’eel were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah)…” [al-Baqarah 2:127]

Wahb ibn Munbih said: “… It was built by Ibraaheem, then [rebuilt] by the Amalekites, then by Jurham, then by Qusayy ibn Kilaab. Its rebuilding by Quraysh is well known…

He also said:

The scholars differed as to who built the Ka’bah. It was said that it was the angels, or Adam (peace be upon him), or Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) – the latter is the correct view.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa’eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower’”

[al-Baqarah 2:127]

It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I said, “O Messenger of Allaah, which mosque was built first on earth?” He said, “Al-Masjid al-Haraam.” I said, “Then which?” He said, “Al-Masjid al-Aqsa.” I asked, “How much time was between them?” He said, “Forty years. So wherever you are when the time for prayer comes, then pray.”

Raising is also an another word for building. According to the dict, it means:

1. To move to a higher position; elevate: raised the loads with a crane. See synonyms at lift.
2. To set in an upright or erect position: raise a flagpole.
3. To erect or build: raise a new building.
4. To cause to arise, appear, or exist: The slap raised a welt.
5. To increase in size, quantity, or worth: raise an employee's salary.
6. To increase in intensity, degree, strength, or pitch: raised his voice.

But like I said, these are minor issues and it does not matter whether it was built by the khalil of Allaah or our father Adaam (peace be upon them).

Only Allaah (Exalted is He) knows best.

:w:

[Ibn Syed]

Assalamu Alaikum.


And do birds can fly over it or not?If they can why did people say they can't?

When i was there birds flew all over the place including over the Kabah.
:w:

[Bittersteel]

funny why they should mention it if it has never happened.......its like they said nothing can pass over the Kabah.....

[Uthman]

:sl:

Many non-Muslims ask whether we worship the Kaaba or Allah.What response should I make to this question?

Here is a link for you, by none other than Dr. Zakir Naik, no less. :shade:

(002.144)
YUSUFALI: We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The people of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord. Nor is Allah unmindful of what they do.
PICKTHAL: We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven (for guidance, O Muhammad). And now verily We shall make thee turn (in prayer) toward a qiblah which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces (when ye pray) toward it. Lo! Those who have received the Scripture know that (this revelation) is the Truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.
SHAKIR: Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do



Also was it Adam(PBUH) who built it first?[/QUOTE]

Some commentators believe that it was Adam who first built it whilst some even believe it was the angels on earth.

:w:

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

:sl:
I believe I read that the very first form of the Kaaba was built by Adam (peace be upon him) according to some books, but I will check my sources and then get back to you on that.

:w:

[Brother_Mujahid]

eh :confused: it was ibrahim (as) who was given the command by Allah to build the kabah......... also when hajirah (as) ibrahim (as) wife was running between mount safa and marwa there was nothing in the surrounding area. it was only after the zamzam incident that buldings were build around that location.

wasalam :shade:

[Uthman]

:sl:

eh :confused: it was ibrahim (as) who was given the command by Allah to build the kabah......... also when hajirah (as) ibrahim (as) wife was running between mount safa and marwa there was nothing in the surrounding area. it was only after the zamzam incident that buldings were build around that location.

Not that it matters, but I'm sure I read that Ibrahim raised the Kaabah i.e. rebuilt it or something.

:w:

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

:sl:
keep in mind that it has been re-built several types due to dammage.

Ibn Kathir states in his Qasas Al-Anbiyah that there is no authentic hadith indicating that it was built before Adam.

For now, the only quote I have is from Shaykh Safiur Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri who said:

The first time it was built by the angels; the second time it was rebuilt by Adam (as). The third time it was rebuilt by Ibrahim (as).

This strengthens the statement that iot was the first house built on earth to worship Allah.

However, we should refrain from mentioning it, until we find authentic evidence to prove that it was constructed before Adam (as).

:w:

[Muezzin]

It would be absolutely amazing if it was proved to have existed before Prophet Adam's time, what with the Middle East bieng the 'Cradle of Civilisation' and all.

[kadafi]

:sl:

For now, the only quote I have is from Shaykh Safiur Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri who said:

The first time it was built by the angels; the second time it was rebuilt by Adam (as). The third time it was rebuilt by Ibrahim (as).

This strengthens the statement that iot was the first house built on earth to worship Allah.

However, we should refrain from mentioning it, until we find authentic evidence to prove that it was constructed before Adam (as).

:w:

:sl:

I cannot see how it strenghtens the statement. On what evidence does the Shaykh base his claim?

And you're absolutely correct, if there is no daleel that Adaam (peace be upon him) built the Sacred House, then we should refrain from mentionin' it.

:w:

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

I cannot see how it strenghtens the statement. On what evidence does the Shaykh base his claim?

If I come across anything I'll post it, but until then I agree that we should say that it was first built by Ibrahim (as).

:w:

[Bittersteel]

I heard something like that Adam(PBUH) built it first then it was destroyed in the flood then again it was rebuilt by Ibrahim(PBUH).

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

If I come across anything I'll post it, but until then I agree that we should say that it was first built by Ibrahim (as).

:w:

:sl:
There is some relevant information here:
http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Qur...al/aqsa.html#4

From the link....

Ibn al-Jawzi said:

It raises a problem since Abraham built the Ka`bah and Solomon built Bayt al-Maqdis [another name of al-Masjid al-Aqsa cf. Hebrew Bet ha-Miqdash] and there are 1,000 years between them. His evidence for saying that it is Solomon - peace be upon him - who built the Farthest Mosque is the narration of al-Nasa'i from the hadith of `Abd Allah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`As attributed to the Prophet with an authentic isnad that "When Solomon built Bayt al-Maqdis he asked God the Most High for three things etc." and in al-Tabarani from the hadith of Rafi` Ibn `Umayrah that "David - peace be upon him - started building Bayt al-Maqdis but God inspired him: I shall accomplish its building with Solomon" and the hadith has a story. He [Ibn al-Jawzi] said: "The answer to that is that the mention concerns the first construction and the foundation of the mosque and it is not Abraham who built the Ka`bah for the first time nor is it Solomon who built Bayt al-Maqdis for the first time. Indeed, we have narrated that the first one who built the Ka`bah is Adam. Then his progeny spread out on earth. Therefore, it is possible that one of them built Bayt al-Maqdis. Later, Abraham (re)built the Ka`bah according to the Qur'an." Likewise, al-Qurtubi said: The hadith does not indicate that Abraham and Solomon were the first ones to build the two mosques. It was only a renovation of what had been founded by others. (Badr al-Din bin Muhammad bin Bahadir al-Zarkashi, I`lam Al-Sajid Bi-Ahkam Al-Masajid, 1995, Dar al-Kutub al-`Ilmiyyah, Beirut (Lebanon), pp. 13-14)

After quoting other opinions, Ibn Hajar insists :

But the possibility mentioned by Ibn al-Jawzi is more pertinent. And I found evidence supporting those who say that it is Adam who founded both mosques. For instance, Ibn Hisham mentioned in "Kitab al-Tijan" that when Adam built the Ka`bah, God ordered him to walk to Bayt al-Maqdis and build it and so he did and offered worship in it. And the construction of the House [Arabic: al-Bayt, i.e., the Ka`bah] is famous and we have mentioned earlier the hadith of `Abd Allah Ibn `Amr that the House was elevated in the time of the flood until God showed Abraham its location. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from the way of Ma`mar from Qatadah: God founded the House with Adam when he descended. But Adam missed the voices of the Angels and their prayers. Therefore, God told him: I sent down a House around which [people] will revolve like it is revolved around my Throne, so set out to it. Adam set out to Makkah - He had descended in India, and his steps were enlarged until he reached the House and revolved around it. It was also said that when he had prayed at the Ka`bah, he was ordered to set out to Jerusalem where he built a masjid [mosque] and prayed therein so that it became a qiblah to a part of his progeny.(ibid)

:w:

[kadafi]

:sl:

First, jazaka'Allaahu khairun for citing that evidence.

First, we have to establish the fact that there are no saheeh hadeeths that prove that our father Adaam (Peace be upon him) built the Ka'baah. So the narrations cited from Ibn Hisham have been proven to be inauthentic.

The statement by Ibn Hajar (May Allaah have mercy on him) is simply an opinion that he favoured.

An article at a known da'wah site that associates itself with the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia (may Allaah preserve) states:

2. No authentic references state that the Sacred House had been built before Abraham (peace be upon him). However, some people argue that the Sacred House was built before Abraham, supporting their argument by the Qur'anic verses, "Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the (Sacred) House." and "And remember Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House," These verses suggest that the foundations and the site were there before Abraham. Nevertheless, the sound view is that these verses mean that the location and site of the Sacred House had been determined in Allah's Eternal Knowledge, the day He created the heavens and the earth. Thus the location of the House had been known, but the actual process of construction was carried out first by Abraham, the Close One to Allah, and his son, Ishmael (peace be upon them both)

Other stories related to the construction of the House have been attributed to the Israelites. Such stories are not to be either accepted nor rejected, for the best knowledge is with Allah, the All-Knowing.

Apart from the ayah that states that Allaah (Exalted is He) ordered Ibraahim

The opinions that the past scholars favoured are listed and its weakness.

ANGELS' BUILDING OF THE KA`BAH:
(NOTICE: This version of the Ka'bah's construction by the Angles is groundles and mentioned only to indicate its weakness.)

Allah, the Exalted, said to the Angels, " I will create a vicegerent on earth. The Angels said, " O Lord! A vicegerent other than ourselves, who will make mischief therein, shed blood, practise envy and hatred, while we celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thy Holy Name, and disobey Thou not". Allah, the Exalted, said, " I know what ye know not."

The Angels thought that what they had said was considered a rejection of their Lord's Will, and that He, therefore, became angry with them. Thereupon, they sought shelter under the Throne, raised their heads, pointed their fingers, submissively entreated Him, and wept as they were afraid of His wrath.
They compassed the Throne round for a long time. Accordingly, Allah looked upon them, and His mercy was sent down unto them. Then, Allah built a house beneath the Throne called Al-Bait Al-Ma`mur [the Oft-frequented House]. Then, He said to the Angels, "Circumambulate round this House and leave the Throne." Thereupon, the Angels circumambulated round the House. Seventy thousand Angels would visit the House night and day and never return.

Then, Allah, the Exalted, sent Angels down to earth and said, "Build a House for Me on earth, based on the same design and measurements." Allah, the Exalted, ordered Man to go round that House [Ka`bah] such as was done to the Oft-frequented House by the Angels.

THE CONSTRUCTION BY ADAM (PBUH):
(NOTICE: This version of the Ka`bah's construction by Adam is groundless and is mentioned only to indicate its weakness).

1. It is reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Allah sent Gabriel to Adam and Eve to say to them, "Build a House for Allah." Gabriel laid the designs for them. Then, Adam began to dig while Eve removed the dust, until he struck water. Whereupon, he was called from beneath, "Adam! That is enough!" 2. After completing construction, Adam was directed by Allah to circumambulate the House [Ka'bah]. It was said to him, "You are the first Man (to be created), and this is the first House to be built." Several centuries passed until the foundations of the House were laid by Abraham. Thus, the first person to lay the foundations of the House, pray therein, and circumambulate it was Adam (peace be upon him).

THE CONSTRUCTION BY SHEETH:
(NOTICE: This version of the Ka`bah's construction by Sheeth is groundless and mentioned only to indicate its weakness).

1. Following Adam's death, his sons built the House [Ka`bah] from mud and stone. (It has been narrated that the one who built it was Sheeth (peace be upon him). It was maintained and frequented by their children until Noah's time when it was demolished and obliterated by the Flood. 2. According to some of the Judaic tales narrated by Wahb bin Munabbih, Adam pitched a tent at the site of the House. When he died, that tent was lifted up by Allah, the Exalted. Thus, the first construction of the House was undertaken by Adam's sons.

The prophet (Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“May Allah bestow Mercy on Isma'eel's mother! Had she let the Zam-Zam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zam-Zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the Earth.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) further added: “Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The Angel said to her: “Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.” The House (i.e. Kaa'ba) at that time was on a high place resembling a hillock... She lived in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum or a family from Jurhum passed by her and her child, as they (i.e. the Jurhum people) were coming through the way of Kada'. They landed in the lower part of Makkah where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not leaving it. They said: “This bird must be flying around water, though we know that there is no water in this valley.” They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water, and returned to inform them of the water. So, they all came (towards the water).” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

This indicates that the House was never build before and that the location was already determined by Allaah (Exalted is He) in his eternal knowledge as the article mentions.

The Prophet also said:

“Don't you see that when your folk built the Kaa'ba, they did not build it on all the foundations built by Abraham?" I said: "O Allah's Apostle! Why don't we rebuild it on the foundations of Abraham?" He said. "But for the fact that your folk have recently given up infidelity (I would have done so).” [Saheeh al-Bukharee, vol: 4, no: 587]

Also, it is reported that Ibn Abbaas said:

"Had the people not performed Hajj to this House (K'abah) Allah would have let the sky fall on the earth (hence terminating life) .

This is the opinion [with the most evidence] favoured by Imaam ibn Katheer (May Allaah have mercy on him)

Since Prophet Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) performed the first Hajj and proclaimed it, it reconciles perfect with the above cited report since Allaah (exalted is He) said in Soorat Al-Hajj:

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).

The claim that Suleymaan (peace be upon him) re-built Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is correct since it was narrated in a saheeh that he built it and mentioned by the Prophet that it existed before him.

Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, which mosque was built on earth first?’ He said, ‘Al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah].’ I said, ‘Then which?’ He said, ‘Al-Masjid al-Aqsa.’ I said, ‘How much time was there between them?’ He said, ‘Forty years. So wherever you are when the time for prayer comes, pray, for that is the best thing to do.’”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3366; Muslim, 520.

Since the timespan between the construction of these sites is 40 years, the one who laid the foundations of Al-Masjid al-Aqsa would most likely be Prophet Yaqoob (peace be upon him) and not the sons of Adaam.

:w:

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

:sl:
JazakumAllahu khairan br. Kadafi for this detailed response!

An article at a known da'wah site that associates itself with the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia

If you could provide the url to this site it would be greatly appreciated, as it seems to have a great deal of information.

:w:

[Bittersteel]

why was the Qibla changed from Jerusalem to Mecca?Some say it is political.How do I respond to this?

:sl:

[kadafi]

If you could provide the url to this site it would be greatly appreciated, as it seems to have a great deal of information.

:w:

:sl:

www.al-islam.com

why was the Qibla changed from Jerusalem to Mecca?Some say it is political.How do I respond to this?

:sl:

Akhee, please create a new topic if you want your question to be answered.

:w:

[searchingsoul]

How do you answer people who say that the Kaba is a stone idol?

[Nafiisah]

The Ka'aba is not worshipped by Muslims. Rather, it is place towards which all Muslims turn in order to prostrate themselves before their Lord. It symbolises unity as We all Muslims As one Ummah turn towards one direction united to pray and glorify the Lord of the Worlds.
Believers do not ascribe any partners to the mighty creator nor pray any idols

[sonz]

How do you answer people who say that the Kaba is a stone idol?

chk this out

Do Muslims Worship The Black Stone Of the Ka'abah?

"And now verily We shall make you turn (in prayer) toward a Qibla which is dear to you. So turn your face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship (the Kaaba of Makkah)." (Al Baqarah 2:144)

The Quran commands the Muslims to face the sacred precincts in Makkah during prayer which is a fundamental tenet in slam. The legend of this purely Islamic development of a sacred stone structure dates back to the fall of Hadhrat Adam (alayhis salaam) from Paradise onto earth at Makkah. It has been reported by Al-tabari that Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) flapped his wings to uncover a foundation laid in the seventh fold of the earth. Angels paved this foundation with stones and Hazrat Adam went round this structure following the example of the Angels. Therefore it stands to reason that Allah Ta'ala contemplated and designated the Ka'aba before the creation of the earth. It is said that the Kaaba is a prototype of Baitul Mamoor, a house in the seventh Heaven situated immediately over the Kaaba.

The Kaaba with respect to the inhabited parts of the world is like the centre of a circle with respect to the circle itself. All regions face the Kaaba, surrounding it as a circle surrounds its centre; and each region faces a particular part of the Kaaba. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adopted the Kaaba as a physical focus in prayer as well for other acts of worship such as burial of the dead, recitation of the Qur'an, announcing the call of prayer, the ritual slaughter of animals, etc. Thus, Muslims have been spiritually and physically oriented towards the Kaaba and the holy city of Makkah in their daily lives.

Circumbulation of The Kaaba

'Tawaf' or cicumbulation (the ritual encircling of the Kaaba) starts from the Hajar Aswad - the Black Stone. The circumambulator, if possible, may kiss the stone or may direct his hand towards it saying, "In the name of Allah, Allah is great." He must circle the Kaaba seven times with the Kaaba to his left (in anti-clockwise direction).

On examination, it will be found that the entire universe which is in constant circular or elliptical rotation, is in actual fact moving in the pattern as the Tawaf. The electrons of an atom revolve around its nucleus in the same manner as making Tawaf, in an anti-clockwise direction. The ovum, prior to fertilisation actually taking place, surrounded by sperms, turns remarkably in anti-clockwise direction, thereby resembling the Tawaf. Considering the globe as a whole, it could be found that the earth has two movements. It rotates on its own axis in 24 hours causing day and night. The various seasons of the year are due to the earth's simultaneous revolution around the sun in 365 days. It is really astonishing to note that the earth, in both these movements, rotates anti-clockwise. The entire universe from the atom to the galaxies is in constant circular rotation like a circumambulator who encircles the Kaaba in the anti-clockwise direction. All objects in the universe, atoms, moon, stars, electrical current, galaxies, etc. are rotating in the same way. Moreover, the angles encircle the heavenly Baitul Ma'mur in an ever-lasting Tawaf. In the same way, the Kaaba in Makkah is never free from circumbulators. "Know that the world has come to an end when no soul will circlembulate the holy Kaaba."

"Do Muslims Really Worship the Kaaba?"

This was one question, among others, propounded by certain non-Muslim student groups at a university rally not very long ago. This kind of obnoxious thinking and behaviour is the direct result of villifying and being abusive towards other religions. Islam, known by many a western thinker as the 'champion religion' condemns the idea of disgracing and mocking any religion, but rather promotes the idea of showing respect. How else would the world see good in a religion so perfect as Islam. Our aim in this world should be to convey the magnificent teachings of Islam with love and honour, so that the word of Allah Ta'ala reaches the four corners of the world.

Do Muslims worship the Kaaba by merely prostrating towards it?
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (rahmatullah alayhi), in his book 'Ashraful-Jawaab', carefully probes the matter by providing logical and simple facts.

1. It is a known fact to Muslims that we don't worship the Kaaba but only worship Allah Ta'ala and Him alone. There is sufficient evidence to substantiate our stand and belief. Categorically, we explicitly deny worshipping the Kaaba nor the structure of the Kaaba. Hence, no worshipper (in his right frame of mind) can deny the thing he or she worships. In other words, Muslims deny worshipping the Kaaba and it is not a symbol of worship. The Kaaba is only a direction of worship.

2. When performing Salaat, even if the thought of facing towards the Kaaba is absent from the mind too, the salaat is valid. However, many Musallies that enter the masjid and begin performing salaat without having the faintest idea that they are facing the direction of the Kaaba, still have their salaat intact. Had we been worshipping the Kaaba, then it would have been a prerequisite condition to first intend facing the Kaaba before beginning any salaat.

3. If at anytime the structure of the Kaaba is destroyed then too, it will be compulsory to perform salaat facing the direction of the Kaaba . Therefore, we can say without a shadow of doubt that Muslims do not worship its stone structure, otherwise by its destruction Salaat would immediately come to a temporary stop.

4. If a person decides to perform salaat on the roof of the Kaaba, the Salaat will be valid. Therefore had we worshipped the Kaaba then Salaat performed above it would be incorrect; because firstly, the thing worshipped must appear in front and secondly, it is utterly disrespectful and disgraceful to the thing worshipped by standing on top of it. Imagine anyone standing above their Creator and Maker of this universe.
In addition, Moulana Thaanvi (rahmatullah alay) further discusses other related matters on the same subject - the Kaaba. Did you ask yourself at anytime, 'Why do we face one direction, and not many directions?'
Imagine if there was no one direction to face then everyone would have faced all directions which may have caused dissent and disunity in the heart of the Muslims. Therefore it was essential to provide a common direction for the Muslims throughout the world.

Why do we face toward the Kaaba in particular and not any other selected direction?

No one has the right to ask such a question. However, Allah Ta'ala is omniscient and He alone knows toward which direction His Noor (light) descends. Whichever direction this light is greatest, we are directed to face.

How do we know the Noor of Allah descends toward the direction of the Kaaba?

Only those who possess eyes may be able to get a glimpse of that Noor descending onto the Kaaba. Therefore, Salaat may be read above the Kaaba structure, because in actual fact, it is the Noor of Allah Ta'ala that we face in prayers and definitely not any object or likewise.

The Jurist have commented that the Kaaba, although seen to a certain height, reaches upto the heavens and right down to the earth's bottom.
Furthermore, the secret in facing toward the direction of the Kaaba is the spirit of worship (Ibaadat), and contentment and serenity of the heart. Without this contentment there exist no spirit (rooh), which is the reason we are instructed to focus our sight on the place of prostration in Salaat so that we may be able to concentrate with heart and soul entirely.

http://www.load-islam.com/C/rebuttals/Worship

[searchingsoul]

Thanks so much for the information.

[Umm Yoosuf]

Threads Merged :)

[syilla]

:sl:

The scholars differed who built it first but I cannot find any evidence that Adam (Peace be upon him) built it first whilst there is evidence that Prophet Ibrahim & Ismail (Peace be upon them) build the foundations.

A good article entitled: The wisdom behind facing the Ka’bah
:w:

:salamext:

Akhee kadafi, could you please post the article again. Jazakallah khayr in advance.

salams

[NoName55]

:salamext:

Akhee kadafi, could you please post the article again. Jazakallah khayr in advance.

salams

is it this
The wisdom behind facing the Ka�bah

05/04/2004 12:00:00 AM GMT

I am a new Muslim and want to know why we are to face the Ka'bah when we pray.

Answer : Praise be to Allaah. Praise be to Allaah Who has guided you to Islam; we ask Him to make you steadfast in it until you meet Him, for He is all Hearing, Ever Responsive. Praise be to Allaah Who has made you keen to pray and to practise your religion openly. We ask Allaah to guide your family and to grant you the joy of seeing them become Muslim� Ameen. With regard to our facing the Ka�bah, you should note, may Allaah bless you, that in this universe there is none other than Creator and created, worshippers and the One Who is worshipped. The Creator and the One Who is rightfully worshipped is Allaah alone; everything other than Him is created and worships Him either willingly and by choice � which is the case with the believers � or by force, which is the case of the kaafirs and sinners, whose submission to Allaah consists of their being subjugated to His control, for they do not have to power to either benefit or harm themselves. Allaah is the One Who has given them life, and when He wills He will cause them to die. If Allaah wills, He can make them sick, and if He wills He can heal them. He can make them rich whenever He wants and make them poor whenever He wants. Glory and praise be to Him, there is no Lord besides Him and none worthy of worship except Him. With regard to his believing slaves, they are tried and tested in this brief, transient world. If they succeed in remaining steadfast in worshipping their Lord and attaining the highest degree of submission to Him, He will compensate them for that, by His kindness and grace, with Paradise in which there is that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and it has not entered the heart of man. Among these tests is the fact that Allaah commands them to do some things for which their minds cannot comprehend the wisdom behind them, they can only submit and obey. This is in order to distinguish those who are sincere in their claims to be believers from those who are insincere. For Allaah is the Creator of reason, and He is the One Who issues the command, so whoever responds and submits, and says, �I hear and obey, even though I do not understand the reason, because I admit my mortality, my weakness and my submission to Allaah, for Allaah cannot be questioned as to what He does� � such a one is a believer who, it is hoped, will prosper and succeed in this world and in the Hereafter. This is how the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) were, as al-Bukhaari (1597) and Muslim (1270) narrated in their Saheehs that �Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) said of the Black Stone when he kissed it: �By Allaah, I know that you are only a stone and you can neither bring benefit nor cause harm. Were it not that I had seen the Messenger of Allaah kissing you I would not have kissed you.� So when we Muslims pray facing the direction of the Ka�bah, we do so because Allaah has commanded us to do that. If he had commanded us to pray facing in any other direction, we would have had to do that. The same applies to many other acts of worship, We pray Zuhr with four rak�ahs and Maghrib with three and Fajr with two, because Allaah has commanded us to do so. We perform Tawaaf seven times around the Ka�bah, and we stone the Jamaraat seven times, and we do not do more than that under any circumstances. All of that is because that is what Allaah has commanded us to do. So whoever bears this thought in mind whilst doing these acts of worship will undoubtedly increase in submission to Allaah; this will increase his faith and bring him closer to his Lord. Thus he will find great joy and immense happiness and deep contentment in his heart, which will make him long for worship and love it, because when he does acts of worship he will feel that he is doing them for Allaah, and were it not for Allaah, he would not do them. So every act of worship brings him closer to Allaah and increases him in faith until he meets Allaah and Allaah will honour him as He honours His righteous slaves. But for the one who is stubborn and arrogant, and says, �I will not do it until I understand�, this is like Iblees who rebelled against Allaah and said, as Allaah tells us in the Qur�aan (interpretation of the meaning): �Shall I prostrate myself to one whom You created from clay?� [al-Israa� 17:61] This is sufficient to demonstrate the seriousness of arguing against the sharee�ah on the basis of reason. Rather Allaah has described one of the most unique characteristics of the pious believers as being belief in the Unseen. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): �This is the Book (the Qur�aan), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear Allaah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allaah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. Who believe in the Ghayb (the unseen) and perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and spend out of what we have provided for them� [al-Baqarah 2:2-3] So the first characteristic by which the believers are distinguished from others is the fact that they believe in the unseen or that which they cannot grasp, whether that is in a literal, physical sense or in a metaphorical, intellectual sense. What we should point out here is that our prayer facing the direction of the Ka�bah has nothing to do with the structure of the Ka�bah, rather it has to do with its location. If it were to be destroyed, we would still pray in that direction, not to that structure. Hence we find that nowadays Muslims pray on the second storey and on the roof of the Grand Mosque in the Sanctuary of Makkah, facing the direction of the Ka�bah even though it is not directly in front of them. This is what millions of Muslims do throughout the world, praying in the direction of the Ka�bah even though they cannot see it. This demonstrates the great difference between the laws of Islam and the actions of the mushrikeen (polytheists) whose worship of their idols, stones and trees ceases when these objects cease to exist. Therefore if the mushrik cannot see his object of worship or idol, he does not face the direction of that thing. We ask Allaah to bestow upon us sincere faith, and to make us steadfast in it until we meet Him� Aameen.

Source: Islam Q&A