The Sacred Kaaba: A Closer Look at its Iconic Elements and Significance in Masjid al-Haram
The Kaaba is located within the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. The Kaaba is the direction that Muslims face towards Kabba when they pray 5 times in a day. All Muslims has a dream to visit Makkah for performing Hajj or Umrah atleast once in life.
According to Islamic tradition, long time ago, the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma’il built Kaaba as a special place to worship Allah. This makes the Kaaba the oldest place where people worshiped only one Allah.
In the Quran, Allah said in many verses about the beginning of the Kaaba. According to Quran, Kaaba was the first special place where people prayed to Allah. Allah said in Quaran;
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] – blessed and a guidance for the worlds. [ Surah Al Imran: 96]
And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], “Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform ‹Tawaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. [Surah Al-Hajj; 26]
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. [Al-Baqarah: 127]
The cover of the Holy Kaaba:
The cover of the Kaaba is wrapped in a cloth made of black silk adorned with gold calligraphy. This cloth is known as the “kiswah,” and it is changed every year. Within this cloth, the declaration of faith, the Shahada, is written in gold using silk thread. At its two-thirds mark, Quranic verses are embroidered in gold.
Al-Hajr al-Aswad:
Al-Hajr al-Aswad (meaning “The Black Stone”), is located at the eastern corner of the Kaaba. This is a significant starting point for Muslims as they begin their ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba, known as Tawaf.
Bab ar-Rahmah:
At the entrance gate, there is a door on the northeastern wall of the Kaaba, commonly referred to as “Bab ar-Rahmah,” which also serves as an entrance. In 1979, artist Ahmad bin Ibrahim Badr created a door weighing 300 kilograms made entirely of gold. This golden door replaced the previous one crafted by his father, Ibrahim Badr, in 1942.
Mizab al-Rahmah:
The “Mizab al-Rahmah,” more commonly referred to as the “Mizab,” is a golden spout. Its installation dates back to 1627 when the Kaaba was undergoing reconstruction. This addition became necessary as three of the four walls had suffered damage during a fierce storm in 1626.
Hatem:
The “Hatem” also known by these names, is a lower enclosure that was originally part of the main structure of the Kaaba. It is a semi-circular wall opposite the Kaaba’s northwestern wall but not directly attached to it. This structure is constructed from white marble. The Hatem and the area between it and the Kaaba were originally part of the Kaaba’s structure and are therefore not accessible during the Tawaf ritual.
Al-Multazam:
Between Al-Multazam, Hajar al-Aswad, and the entrance door, there is an area of approximately 2 meters (6 1/2 feet). Touching or making supplications in this area is highly desired by pilgrims visiting the Kaaba.
Maqam Ibrahim:
The “Maqam Ibrahim” is situated in a structure made of glass and metal, within which lies the impression of the footprints of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). During the construction of the upper parts of the Kaaba, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood on this stone and lifted Isma’il (peace be upon him) on his shoulders to help in the construction of the upper portions.
Rukn al-Yamani:
The “Rukn al-Yamani” also known as the Yemeni Corner, is the corner of the Kaaba that faces slightly southwest from the center.
Rukn al-Shami:
The “Rukn al-Shami” (Arabic: الركن الشامي), also known as the Shami Corner, is the corner of the Kaaba that faces slightly northwest from the center.
Rukn al-Iraqi:
The “Rukn al-Iraqi” also known as the Iraqi Corner, is the corner of the Kaaba that faces slightly northeast from the center.
