What Exactly Is The Ka'abah ?

"And now verily We shall make you turn (in prayer) toward a Qiblat which is dear to you. So turn your face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship (the Ka'abah of Makkah)." (Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 144)

The Qur'an commands the Muslims to face the sacred precincts in Makkah during prayer which is a fundamental tenet in Islam.

The legend of this purely Islamic development of a sacred stone structure dates back to the fall of Nabi Adam AS from Paradise onto earth at Makkah. It has been reported by Al-Tabari that the angel Jibril AS flapped his wings to uncover a foundation laid in the seventh fold of the earth. Angels paved this foundation with stones and Adam AS went round this structure following the example of the Angels. Therefore it stands to reason that Allah Ta'ala contemplated and designated the Ka'abah even before the creation of the earth. The Ka'abah can be defined as the prototype of the Baitul Ma'mur, a house in the Seventh Heaven situated immediately above and over the Ka'abah.

The Ka'abah 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 Ka'abah, surrounding it as a circle surrounds its centre; and each region faces a particular part of the Ka'abah.

Rasulullah SAW adopted the Ka'abah as a physical focus in prayer as well as 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 Ka'abah and the Holy City of Makkah in their daily lives.

Circumambulation of The Ka'abah or better known as Tawaf - is the ritual encircling of the Ka'abah starting from the Hajar Aswad i.e. 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 Ka'abah seven times with the Ka'abah to his left (in anti-clockwise direction).

On scientific 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 Ka'abah 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 Ka'abah in Makkah is never free from circumbulators.

"Know that the world has come to an end when no soul will circumambulate the Holy Ka'abah."

Some Non-Muslims ask: "Do Muslims Really Worship the Ka'abah?"

The answer to this question is very clear.

1. It is a known fact to Muslims that we do not worship the Ka'abah 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 Ka'abah nor the structure of the Ka'abah. Hence, no worshipper (in his right frame of mind) can deny the thing he or she worships. In other words, Muslims deny worshipping the Ka'abah and it is not a symbol to worship to. The Ka'abah is only a direction of worship.

2. When performing Solat, even if the thought of facing towards the Ka'abah is absent from the mind too, the solat is valid. Let us remember that many Musallies that enter the masjid and begin performing solat without having the faintest idea that they are facing the direction of the Ka'abah. Still - let it be known that their solat is correct and intact. Had we been worshipping the Ka'abah, then it would have been a pre-requisite condition to first intend facing the Ka'abah before beginning any solat.

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

4. Conceptually and theoretically, if a person decides to perform solat on the roof of the Ka'abah, the solat will be valid. Therefore had we actually and literally worshipped the Ka'abah, then Solat 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 on top of their Creator and Maker of this universe. Unacceptable. Therefore, let us understand that Solat may be read above the Ka'abah structure, because in actual fact, it is the Nur of Allah Ta'ala that we face in prayers and definitely not any object or likewise.The Jurists in Islam have commented that the Ka'abah, although seen to a certain height, reaches up to the heavens and right down to the earth's bottom.

"Why do we face one direction, and not many directions?"

The answer to this is also full of reason and wisdom. Imagine if there was no one direction to face, then everyone would have faced all directions which will cause dissent and disunity in the heart of the Muslims. Therefore it is only essential to provide a common direction for the Muslims throughout the world. Allah Ta'ala is omniscient and He alone knows toward which direction His Nur (light) descends. Whichever direction this light is greatest, we are directed to face in that direction.

Furthermore, the secret in facing toward the direction of the Ka'abah is so that we receive and obtain from Allah the spirit of worship (Ibadah), and contentment and serenity of the heart. Without this contentment there exist no spirit (ruh), which is the reason we are instructed to focus our sight on the place of prostration in Solat so that we may be able to concentrate with heart and soul entirely. This also explains the reason why fasiqs (sinful Muslims) who do not pray have restless lives full of discontent even though they have all so-called wealth, health, time and power. Yet, their hearts are not at ease as that of a Believer.