Kaaba in Saudi Arabia - The Unity Symbolism of Muslims

Kaaba, also known as the House of God, is the most sacred site in Islam and is considered the holiest place on earth for Muslims. It appears that Muhammad utilized the Kaaba for political objectives, propagating new legends about the Kaaba's past in order to tie his newly founded religion with historical Judaism, the history of the Kaaba is entwined with the history of Islam.

Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the world visit the Kaaba to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Let’s discover this holy site!

What Is The Kaaba - History Of The Black Stone 

The Kaaba is a 15-meter-high cubical architecture. The cardinal directions were intended to be aligned with the corners. The entrance was adorned with pure gold in 1982. The black silk fabric piece known as Kiswah, which covers the Kaaba, used to travel from Egypt with the caravan of pilgrims on their way to Hajj. It has calligraphy done in gold thread that resembles Quran passages in Arabic. Every year, on the second day of Hajj, the fabric is changed.

The fabric covers the Kaaba called Kiswah 

• Where is the Kaaba?

The Kaaba is a sacred structure located in the heart of Islam's most important mosque, Masjid al-Haram (Mecca in Saudi Arabia). 

• Who built the Kaaba? 

According to the Qur'an, Ibrahim and his son Ismail built the Kaaba on Allah's orders, and it functioned as mankind's first seat of worship. However, the Kaaba was destroyed by a great flood during the time of Prophet Noah. It was then rebuilt by Prophet Abraham and his son, Prophet Ishmael. They were commanded by Allah to rebuild the Kaaba as a place of worship and pilgrimage for all believers.

• When was the Kaaba built? 

According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was first built by the Prophet Adam as a place of worship for Allah. However, there is no historical evidence to support this claim. The Kaaba remained a site of worship for many centuries, but it was damaged and destroyed several times by natural disasters and wars. 

It was rebuilt and repaired by various Muslim rulers throughout history, including the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, who rebuilt the Kaaba in 692 CE. Since then, the Kaaba has undergone many renovations and repairs to maintain its sanctity and importance.

Architecture Of The Kaaba

The word Kaaba means "cube," however the construction is not a cube: it is 12 meters long, 10 meters broad, and 15 meters tall (33 feet x 50 feet x 45 feet). The Kaaba is made of gray granite, and each corner points to one of the four cardinal directions. 

The Overview of Kaaba, Saudi Arabia

• What is inside the Kaaba?

The sole entrance is located on the northeast side, 2.3 meters above the ground. Except for three supporting wooden pillars which are decorated with gold hanging lights, the interior of the Kaaba is unadorned. The Black Stone of Mecca is attached to the eastern corner of the Kaaba, about 1.5m above. It is believed that the black stone has been sent down by Allah to Prophet Abraham and is considered to be one of the most sacred objects in Islam.

The Kaaba interior's floor is made of marble, while the walls are covered in colorful marble. The inside of the Kaaba, as well as its ceiling, are covered with crimson silk drapes with white embroidered lettering. Within the Khana Kaaba, there are eight stones with Arabic writing. These stones were inscribed using several scripts. The floor has unique marks that represent the location where Prophet Muhammad is said to have prayed when he entered the Kaaba.

• Which direction is the Kaaba?

The direction of the Kaaba varies depending on the location. For example, in North America, the direction of the Kaaba is towards the east-southeast, while in Europe, it is towards the southeast.

That is the direction that Muslims face when praying wherever they are on the planet. This is the path that leads to the Kaaba in the Great Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

• What is written on the Kaaba?

The cover of the Kaaba is incredibly beautiful, but most of us are curious about what is written on it because the calligraphy is in Arabic. Millions of Muslims from all around the world visit Holy Makkah each year for Hajj and Umrah. Those who have visited the Holy Kaaba must have seen Arabic Calligraphy.

The cover of the Kaaba is called Kiswa, which was draped on the Kaaba in the ninth month of Dhul Hijjah yearly. The Kiswa is made up of around 47 strips of clothes, each of which is approximately 101cm wide and 14 cm long. There are three rows of Horizontal Text inserted on the black side of Kiswa in total. The text on the Kiswa are words that show respect and appreciation to the god Allah. 

Nowadays, taking selfies and sharing them on Facebook, as well as producing Instagram reels, has become so popular these days that some of us have lost the true meaning of pilgrimage. The Kaaba is the location where Allah says his abode is, and this is the location we should visit with a wide knowledge.

The Arabic words written outside Kaaba

Why is the Kaaba important? 

The Kaaba is not the actual home of Allah, it is a symbolic portrayal of Allah's home in this world. As a result, it is important to remember that Muslims do not worship the Holy Kaaba. It is, nevertheless, the emblem of Allah's Supremacy and Oneness, which is also the first pillar of Islam and the cornerstone of every Muslim's conviction that there is no God but Allah.

Furthermore, the Kaaba's importance is demonstrated by the fact that it is known as the Qibla. In other terms, it is the direction that Muslims worldwide face when doing daily prayers (Salaat). Besides, the Kaaba is a holy site where Tawaf is performed by millions of Muslims from all over the world, circling the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise and touching or kissing the Black Stone. 

The significance of the Kaaba extends beyond religious worship. The Kaaba has been a symbol of unity and identity for Muslims throughout history and serves as a reminder of the rich history and culture of the Islamic world.

Some facts about the Kaaba 

• The sacred Kaaba has been rebuilt multiple times in the past owing to natural and man-made disasters. The most recent restoration to the Kaaba occurred in 1999.

• Before being wrapped in the black Kiswa, the sacred Kaaba was adorned in a variety of hues, most notably green, white, and red. 

• Initially, the Kaaba was to be constructed in a semicircular shape, but over time, it evolved into a cube shape.

• There is a plaque with the names of all the monarchs who were involved in the rebuilding of the Kaaba inside this shrine. 

The significance of the Black Stone and the Kaaba is emphasized and reiterated in all popular stories. It is the holiest spot on Earth for Muslims, where everyone must bow and pray to the Almighty, where all duets are welcomed and all sins are forgiven.

The Black Stone - Kaaba - is where Muslim perform Tawaf every year

Get A Ticket To Visit Kaaba - The Most Important Holy Sites In Saudi Arabia 

Despite the controversies surrounding the Kaaba, it remains one of the most important and revered sites in the world. Its simple yet powerful structure serves as a reminder of the unity and strength of the Islamic faith, and its presence in the center of the holy city of Mecca makes it a symbol of hope and devotion for millions of Muslims around the world and a source of inspiration and hope for generations to come. 

To visit the Kaaba, it's important to obtain an KSA electronic visa to have an unforgettable experience during your trip. Remember to check if you meet the visa requirements before planning your visit to the country. Visitors can learn more about Saudi Arabia's weather conditions before visiting so that they may appropriately pack their clothes and enjoy their holiday.

For first-time visitors who want to know more about the weather before traveling to Saudi Arabia! If you have any questions, please contact us through Saudi Arabia Immigration Services for assistance.