The Holy Kaaba is the holiest building in Islam’s most prominent Grand Mosque, also known as Masjid Al-Haram. It’s famous for being the most religiously significant place of worship among Muslims. The Holy Kaaba is a cubical structure building covered with black silk cloth (also known as ‘Kiswa’) with a golden design (some Arabic words).
Visiting the Holy Kaaba can be the wish of every Muslim. Usually, Muslims visit there during pilgrimages, which can be quickly done by booking the Umrah Packages. Millions of Muslims come here from various parts of the world and visit this holiest shrine, especially while performing the Tawaf. Touching the Holy Kaaba is the strong wish of Muslims. In this specific article, we will see the history of Kaaba while discussing its origin and current structure in 2024.
Table of Contents
The Holy Kaaba:
The Holy Kaaba is also known as “Bayt Allah”, also referred to in the Holy Quran. It also serves as a focal point or one direction for Muslims’ prayers (Qibla). Muslims also considered this Allah’s (SWT) house.
If we talk about Islam’s most prominent structure, the Kaaba is the first point. After that, Masjid An-Nabwi and other holy shrines were located in Saudi Arabia. But, have you ever wondered who built the Kaaba first or its history?
History of Kaaba:
Before explaining the history of Kaaba, you should know that it’s the second Qibla for Muslims. Before that, the first Qibla of Muslims were Bayt Al-Muqadas (Jerusalem), according to highlights of verses of the Holy Quran.
Some narrations and traditions of Islam hold that Prophet Adam (A.S.) constructed the Holy Kaaba first. According to them, the foundation was kept by Adam (A.S.). While this is a contradiction, the Holy Quran doesn’t mention it as:
“Behold! The first Sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Mecca, a blessed place, a guidance to the peoples.” (Surah Aal Imran – 96)
Muslims believe the Holy Kaaba was initially constructed by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and His son Prophet Ismail (A.S.), where its earlier sanctuary had stood. The Holy Quran explicitly mentions their names, and it was when the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) fixed the Black Stone inside the wall of the Holy Kaaba.
According to authentic, it was the pre-Islamic times. Once the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) structured the Kaaba, Muslims of that time used to pray there. After that, Quraysh (belongings of Abraham (A.S.)) reconstructed the pre-Islamic Kaaba in 608 CE. From time to time, the Kaaba’s structure was disturbed by floodwaters and invaders. So, the tribe of Quraysh corrected its structure by using masonry and wood, and they raised a door above ground level to protect it from intruders and flooding.
“And (remember) when Abraham and (his son) Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House (saying): ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing’.” (Surah Al-Baqrah – 127)
http://en.noblequran.org/quran/surah-al-baqarah/ayat-127/
From this ancient time to the present, the pre-Islamic Kaaba became a place pagans used to keep idol statues of their gods.
In 620, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent away from Makkah to Yathrib (now Madinah). Upon His arrival to Makkah in 629/630, according to traditions, the Prophet (PBUH) got rid of all the idols in the Kaaba, which returned the place to Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S.) original monotheism.
Kaaba after the Prophet (PBUH) – modifications:
The sacred building’s renovations were ongoing throughout history. During the reign of Hazrat Umar (R.A.), the 2nd Caliph (634–44 CE), the vicinity around the Kaaba was made more prominent to attract more pilgrims.
During the reign from 644 to 656 CE, Caliph Uthman (R.A.) built the arcades around the open plaza where the Kaaba stands and added other vital memorials to the shrine.
In 683 CE, the building of the Kaaba was damaged by fire during the civil war between the Governor of Mecca, Ibn Zubayr and Caliph Abd al-Malik. Abd al-Malik fixed up the part of the building that Muhammad (PBUH) is thought to have built after taking back control of Mecca.
Likewise, during the time of the Umayyad Caliph al-Waleed (705–15 A.D.), tiles were used to decorate the mosque around the Kaaba, making it look like the Great Mosque of Damascus.
At the end of the 20th century, the Saudi Government also changed this holiest shrine. They also focus on the Grand Mosque to increase the number of pilgrims. Today, the mosque takes up almost 40 acres.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Kaaba is the holiest and most significant place for Muslims. It’s the place where Umrah and some parts of Hajj are done. Nowadays, you can visit the Holy Kaaba easily. If you plan to go there, don’t forget to book Ramadan Umrah Packages because Ramadan is one of the best time to visit Makkah. History is just history until you see the place physically.
