Quran Academy

Check out some facts about the Kaaba below!

Who built the Kaaba?

The Kaaba has been rebuilt several times in the past. But the first time ever it was built was by Ibrahim (as).

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Ibn Kathir says:

“Allah described the House as a safe resort and refuge, for those who visit it are safe, even if they had committed acts of evil. This honor comes from the honor of the person who built it first, Khalil Ar-Rahman.”

“And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], “Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Quran, 2:127)

What is Maqam Ibrahim?

It is the stone on which Ibrahim (as) stood while building the Kaaba. (Though there is difference of opinion regarding it.)

“And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], ‘Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].’” (2:125)

Sa`id bin Jubayr said:

“The stone (Maqam) is the standing place of Ibrahim, Allah’s Prophet, and a mercy from Allah. Ibrahim stood on the stone, while Isma`il was handing him the stones (constructing the Ka`bah).’

“All these texts indicate that the Maqam is the stone that Ibrahim was standing on while building the House. As the House’s walls became higher, Isma`il brought his father a stone, so that he could stand on it, while Isma`il handed him the stones. Ibrahim would place the stones on the wall, and whenever he finished one side, he would move to the next side, to complete the building all around. Ibrahim kept repeating this until he finished building the House.” (Ibn Kathir)

It is a Sunnah after tawaf to pray 2 rakat near the Maqam Ibrahim. (Bukhari, qtd in Ibn Kathir)

When the Kaaba Became the Qibla (towards which prayers to Allah are addressed)

After the Prophet (sa) migrated to Madinah.

“We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.” (2:144)

“So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” (2:149)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abdullah ibn Dinar that Abdullah ibn Umar said, “On one occasion when the people were praying subhat Quba a man came to them and said, ‘A piece of Quran was sent down to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, last night, and he was ordered to face the Kaaba, so face it.’ They had been facing ash-Sham, so they turned round and faced the Kaaba.” (Muwatta Book 14, Hadith 6)

Where the Black Stone Came From

It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet said:

“The Black Stone is from Paradise.” (Nasa’i 2935)

What is the Hateem

The hateem (or the Hijr) is a part of the original Kaaba, which was rectangular.

“ Pray in al-Hijr when you intend to enter the House (the Kaaba), for it is a part of the House (the Kaaba). Your people [the Qurayish] shortened it when they built the Kaaba, and they took it out of the House.” (Abi Dawud 2028)

Why did the Qurayish shorten the Kaaba? It was because they ran out of lawful money, and they didn’t want to use unlawful wealth to build the Holy House.

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What is inside the Kaaba?

The Kaaba is just like any masjid on the inside. It has got a tiled floor, plain walls and columns. There are wall hangings around it.

There is a mention of an occasion of the Prophet (SAW) being inside the Kaaba in the following hadith:

Once Usamah ibn Zayd and the Messenger of Allah entered the Kaaba, and he told Bilal to shut the door. At that time the House was built on six pillars. He walked forward until, when he was between the two pillars that are on the either side of the door of the Kaaba, he sat down, praised Allah, asked of him, and prayed for forgiveness. Then he got up, and went to the back wall of the Kaaba, placed his face and cheek against it and praised Allah, asked of Him, and prayed for forgiveness. Then he went to each corner of the Kaaba and faced it, reciting the Takbir, the Tahlil and Tasbih, praising Allah, asking of Him and praying for forgiveness. Then he came out and prayed two Rakahs facing the front of the Kaaba, then he moved away and said: “This is the Qiblah, this is the Qiblah.” (Nasa’i 2914)

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