The pre-Islamic Kaaba housed the Black Stone and statues of pagan gods. Muhammad reportedly cleansed the Kaaba of idols upon his victorious return to Mecca, returning the shrine to the monotheism of Ibrahim. The Black Stone is believed to have been given to Ibrahim by the angel Gabriel and is revered by Muslims.
Located in the eastern corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone of Mecca, whose now broken pieces are surrounded by a ring of stone and held together by a heavy silver band. According to tradition, this stone was given to Adam on his expulsion from paradise in order to obtain forgiveness of his sins.
The Kaaba marked the location where the sacred world intersected with the profane; the embedded Black Stone was a further symbol of this as a meteorite that had fallen from the sky and linked heaven and earth.
In theory, any Muslim can enter the Kaaba. But only those who are authorized by the guardians of the monument, the Al-Shaibi family who have held the only key for 15 centuries, have this privilege. Behind the large wooden door covered with nearly 300 kg of gold is a small room with a marble floor.
Islamic tradition holds that the Black Stone fell from Jannah to show Adam and Eve where to build an altar, which became the first temple on Earth. Muslims believe that the stone was originally pure and dazzling white, but has since turned black because of the sins of the people who touch it.
Kissing the Black Stone
As the cornerstone of the Kaaba, the Black Stone is the most venerated stone on the face of the earth. Muslims wish to kiss it because the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) did so. However, keep in mind that the Black Stone is simply a stone.
Mecca was the center of the earth [7]. distance from Mecca to north and South Pole, from the east to west and latitude is 1.618… [13].
$100 BILLION – Grand Mosque of Makkah Among The Most Expensive Buildings On Earth. Because of the Kabah, the Grand Mosque of Makkah was built and tops the list of the most expensive buildings on earth, built at a cost of $100 Billion.
It's thought mankind touching the stone and seeking forgiveness from God is the reason the stone is black, reflecting the sins of humanity, according to Muslim sources,” said al-Akiti. Muslim tradition dictates that the stone dates back to the prophet Adam, the primordial man, said al-Akiti.
Photographs. Saudi authorities forbid the taking of photographs (still or video, including those taken with your phone) at the Holy Mosque at Mecca or at the Prophet's Mosque at Medina. Any violation of official instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of your device.
In Mecca, only Muslims are allowed, while non-Muslims may not enter or pass through. Attempting to enter Mecca as a non-Muslim can result in penalties such as a fine; being in Mecca as a non-Muslim can result in deportation.
Since Abraham built al-Ka'ba and called for Hajj 5,000 years ago, its doors have been of interest to kings and rulers throughout the history of Mecca. Historians say that when it was first built, the Kaaba had no door or roof and was simply made of walls.
Muslims believe that Abraham (known as Ibrahim in the Islamic tradition), and his son, Ismail, constructed the Kaaba.
The Bani Shaiba or the sons of Shaiba are the tribe that hold the keys to the Kaaba today. They are in charge of the 'Sudnah' of the Kaaba which means the complete care of it including opening and closing it, cleaning and washing it, and caring for its Kiswah or cladding.
What is the Ka'aba? The Ka'aba (“cube”) is the most sacred site in Islam, known as the sacred bayt Allah (House of God). It is located at the heart of the sacred mosque Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
I-Masjid al-Nabawi, the Mosque of the Prophet, is Muhammad's buria lsite. Located in the city of Medina, is considered the second holiest site in the Muslim world after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
Once touched your hands will capture the perfume of the stone which remains with you for a period of time. As the importance of the Black Stone has tremendous religious importance and significance, one has to wrangle to get to touch it. The best time to do this is whilst performing Umrah late at night.
The Bani Shaiba Quraysh (Arabic: بني شيبه, lit. 'the sons of Shaiba') are an Arab tribe that hold the keys to the Kaaba.
According to the Qur'an, the Kaaba was built by Ibrahim and his son Ismail on Allah's instructions and it served as the first house of worship for mankind. It is believed that during the construction of the Kaaba, the angel Jibreel brought Ibrahim the Black Stone of Kaaba, which he placed in the Kaaba's eastern corner.
The door was installed on October 31, 1947 and replaced on October 13, 1979 with a gold one that still exists to date. The door, introduced by late King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, is considered one of the world's largest gold masses as it contains 280 kilograms of pure gold.
The current door of the Kaaba was constructed by a renowned jeweller, Ahmed bin Ibrahim Badr, during the reign of King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz. It is said that approximately 280 kg of 99.99% authentic gold is used to make the Bab ar-Rahmah (the door of the Holy Kaaba).
“The gold sold in Mecca is pure and not tampered with,” he said. “The Saudi gold is the best in the world. Its quality is high and it's blessed.
Tematagi is the closest landmass to the antipodes of Mecca. This means that the correct direction of Muslim prayer (qibla) varies widely between Tematagi and its neighboring islands.
Muslims on Earth face Mecca, in central Saudi Arabia, when they pray. The MNSA suggests that the astronaut pray toward Mecca as much as possible, or at the Earth in general. But if it becomes necessary, the astronaut may simply face any direction.
Mecca, Arabic Makkah, ancient Bakkah, city, western Saudi Arabia, located in the Ṣirāt Mountains, inland from the Red Sea coast. It is the holiest of Muslim cities. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca, and it is toward this religious centre that Muslims turn five times daily in prayer (see qiblah).