Al-Hajj Wa Al-'Umrah
(A concourse of Body and Soul, Time and Place)
Mohammed S. Uddin
Part III
History of Ka'bah
Description:
Ka'bah, in English, means 'the Cube'. The present Ka'bah approximately measures 43 ft in height, 42 ft 2 inch in length, and 36 ft 2 inch in width. Originally, it was unroofed. Presently it is roofed, and has a gate to enter. It is elegantly covered with a silk and cotton drape. It is at the center of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, in Makkah, in Sa'udi Arabia. The ancient name of Makkah was Bacca, and the ancient name of the region was Paran or Faran. This is the First House built on earth for the worship of AllahSWT:
"The First House (of worship) appointed for men was that in Bacca (the old name of Makkah), full of blessings and guidance for all creations…" (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:96-97)
The First House was built on a hillock, as a Decree of Allah, so the torrent from rain or flood could pass on the side of the hillock without affecting it [Stories of the Prophets, Imam Ibn Kathir, page 91]. Angel Jibril brought the stone and gave to Ibrahim to engrave it in the corner of Ka'bah; its color was white at the beginning.
Ka'bah is also called Al-Bait Al-Atiq, because it survived (U'tiqa) from the Great Flood, at the time NoahAS [recorded by Ikrimah), and because it was never conquered by any tyrant (recorded by Khusayf). Thus, it is a symbol of freedom, a symbol free from human and natural subjugation, a freedom that extends to the realm of all creations, be it an insect, a tree, a branch of a tree, or even a pebble, because they all are engaged in remembrance of AllahSWT. It is a place of self-restraint, and an institution of self-amendments.
Spiritual implication:
Ka'bah is the prototype of Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur, the House of AllahSWT in the seventh heaven, and just above which is the Throne of Allah:
"And by Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur." (Surah At-Tur, 52:4), the Frequented House, where seventy thousand angels make Tawaf every day, and the same group never return again; this has been going on ever since the beginning of creation, and will continue till the Day of Judgment.
When the ProphetSAAW was taken for Mi'raj, he was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur by Jibril, in the seventh heaven:
"Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i. e. Allah's House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said: "This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave, they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily)" (Sahih Bukhari 3207; Sahih Muslim 164)
As regards the universal phenomenon of worship, the entire creation, be it living and moving, or non-living like an electron (or smaller), or a pebble, or a non-moving creature like a vine or a tree, or a celestial body like a star or a planet, are continuously engaged in remembrance of Allah, but we may not understand their language and their mode and time of prayer:
"Whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah—He is the Al-Mighty, Al-Wise." (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:1)
"The seven heavens and the earth, and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving." (Surah Al-Isra', 17:44)
AllahSWT created jinn and man solely for the purpose of worshipping Him (51:56), not because He needs our worship, but because, for created entities like human being and jinn, who are given limited freedom of choice, therefore apt to make mistakes; worship is the means for seeking forgiveness for all the mistakes and sins that we commit, and achieve salvation from punishment. In fact, Allah does not need our praise and worship, because He is As-Samad (He is Self-Sufficient, Free of need, 112:2). It is we who need Allah, Who creates us, protects us, sustains us and guides us:
"O mankind! It is you who stands in need of Allah. But Allah is rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise." (Surah Fatir, 35:15)
"…But if you disbelieve, then unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens, and all that is in earth, and Allah is Ever Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise." (Surah An-Nisa', 4:131)
Building Ka'bah:
There is uncertainty about who built the First House of worship: Some believe that it was built by Prophet Adam with the help of Jibril [A Guide for Hajj and 'Umrah, Matthews, Anis Daud, page 17], and some others believe that it was built by Jibril alone. (Allah knows best!).
Father of mankind Adam and mother Hawwa, met in mount Arafah, and were guided to the site of Ka'bah. Angel Jibril helped Adam to build Ka'bah and taught him the rites of Hajj. Thus how, the rites and routes of Hajj were established.
After Adam's death, and about the time of Prophet NuhAS (Noah), people started to worship idols. They refused to respond to Nuh's call to Tauhid. After 950 years of preaching, Nuh had only a few followers. He was disappointed and lost hope in their salvation. Therefore, they were punished with the Catastrophic Flood. Nuh and his followers were saved in the Ark. After the flood, Nuh and his son Sam, re-established the practice of Tauhid on earth, but as time passed, the subsequent generation reverted to polytheism. AllahSWT sent Hud and Saleh to guide mankind; they also had limited success. After Saleh's death and many centuries, AllahSWT sent Ibrahim to call mankind to Tauhid:
"And verily, among those who followed his (Nuh's) way, was Ibrahim." (Surah As-Saffat, 37:83)
"And Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) and Ibrahim, and placed in their offspring Prophethood and Scripture…" (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:26)
Guided by JibrilAS,, IbrahimAS came to Paran (the old name of Saudi Arabia) along with his wife, Hager, and son, young Isma'il, and he was shown this site of the Ancient House on the hillock:
""And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim the site of the (sacred) House, saying: "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow, and make prostration (in prayer)."" (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26)
He decided to settle his family next to the site (the hillock) where once stood the Ancient House. Lady Hagar accepted Allah's Decree, and stayed there with her infant child. Isma'il grew up there and became a part of the sprawling community.
IbrahimAS used to visit Lady Hagar and Isma'il frequently and provide for them. During one such visit, when Isma'ilAS had grown up to do hard work, Prophet Ibrahim and Isma'il were commanded to clean the Sacred House (of polytheism) and sanctify it for Allah's worship, and make the city safe for those who would seek peace and security:
"And We covenanted with Ibrahim and Isma'il that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer)." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125)
Rebuilding of Ka'bah:
Ibrahim and Isma'il started to rebuild the Sacred House at the hillock, where the Al-Baitul al-Atiq was. As they started the work, he was supplicating to Allah to make the city of Makkah a sanctuary of peace and safety, and provide the people with sustenance from fruits, the halal sustenance to purify the people, and keep them spiritually pure:
"And (remember), when Ibrahim said, "O our Lord! Make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last day." He (Allah) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to torment of the Fire, and worse indeed is that destination."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:126)
IbrahimAS was laying the bricks, while Isma'ilAS was bringing the bricks to him. As the height of the wall was rising higher, IbrahimAS stood on clay-stone to reach the height. His foot-prints where he stood are now the symbols of "Maqam Ibrahim". It is said that when an area of the wall was finished, the stone along with him, would move to the next area. As they were building the wall, they were supplicating to Allah to accept their service:
And (remember) when Ibrahim and (his son) Isma'il were raising the foundation of the House (the Ka'bah in Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Surah Al-Bqarah, 2:127)
Pre-Islamic Ka'bah:
Prior to Islam, the Ka'bah was a holy site for the various Bedouin tribes throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Once every lunar year, Bedouin people would make a pilgrimage to Makkah, and circumambulate the Sacred House. Each tribe had its own statue; beside the common ones, the Lat, Uzza, Manat and Hubal were the main statues. There were 350-360 statues in and around Ka'bah. At that time, Makkah was also the trade center for the Bedouin. Setting aside any tribal feud, they would worship their gods in the Ka'bah and trade with each other in the city. Various sculptures and paintings were also held inside the Ka'bah.
In the immediate Pre-Islamic Era, before Muhammad's Prophethood, the house had to be rebuilt. ProphetSAAW participated in its rebuilding by carrying the bricks, and played a pivotal role in replacing the black stone to its original location, thereby avoiding a potential and dangerous communal dispute among the leaders of different tribes of Quraysh.
The cause of dispute was the black stone. The stone had to be removed from its original place (the corner of Ka'bah). When the renovation was completed, the stone had to be replaced in its original location. Considered a divine sent, the opportunity to place it back to its original location, was an honor to whoever was given the opportunity.
To avoid the dispute, the leaders agreed to assign the honor to the first person that would walk to Ka'bah at that minute. And, it happened to be Muhammad MustafaSAAW, the most trustworthy person among the Arabs. Therefore, he was given the honor. But in his God-given wisdom, he did not take the honor alone, instead he put the stone on a piece of garment, and let everyone hold the garment and bring the stone next to the corner of the Ka'bah, then he lifted the stone and put it in the right place.
Historically, the Ka'bah was a rectangular cube, and it was unroofed. Over centuries, the Masjid Al-Haram and Ka'bah have undergone many renovations, as the ruling authorities of Makkah changed hands. The last renovation was after the damage caused by heavy rains and flooding in 1626 CE, during the reign of Uthmani Emperor Murad the IV, when the walls of the Ka'bah collapsed and the Mosque was damaged. The same year, it was rebuilt with granite stones from Makkah, and the Mosque was renovated. (History of Ka'bah)
In the early period of Islam, the leadership of Ka'bah was in the hands of different clans of Quraysh. The leaders were Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl (d.624), Walid bin Mughira (d.622). Umayyah bin Khalaf (d.624), Nazar bin Haris (d.624), Uqbah bin Abi Muayt (d.624), Abu Sufyan (d. 653), Rabi'ah Brothers. They were the staunchest enemies of Islam and most antagonistic to the ProphetSAAW, they believed him, but did not want to accept the Message of Islam. To avoid the persecution, the Holy ProphetSAAW migrated to Medina. In 622 CE. Abu Sufyan became Muslim, after the Treaty of Hudaybiyah.
In year 624 CE, the enemies of Islam gathered an army of one thousand well equipped persons, under the leadership of Abu Jahl, and proceeded towards Medina. The ProphetSAAW gathered three scantly equipped persons from Ansars and Muhajiruns, and met the enemy in the valley of Badr. Most of the leaders of Makkah, including Abu Jahl were slain in the Battle of Badr:
Allah Almighty said: "And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force. So, fear Allah much, that you may be grateful…" [ Surah Al-'imran, 3:123]
The Makkah after the Conquest:
The ProphetSAAW had a dream that he had entered the Sacred Mosque at Makkah, just before he decided on the journey which resulted in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. By this treaty, the ProphetSAAW and his people could enter the city of Makkah, the following year, without any hinderance:
"Truly did Allah fulfill the vision for His Messenger: You shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, head shaved, hair cut short, and without fear, for He knew what you know not, and He granted besides this; a speedy victory." (Surah Al-Fath, 48:27)
The following year, in his final return, the Prophet entered Makkah almost unopposed. The city, that had treated him so cruelly, drove him and his adherents out, forced him to take refuge among strangers, sworn by his life and his adherents, now lay at his mercy. His old persecutors are now completely at his feet.
The ProphetSAW entered the city on his favorite camel Al-Qaswa, with Usama Ibn Zaid, sitting behind him. On his way, he recited Surah Al-Fat-h (Victory):
"Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and future, and complete His favor on you, and guide you on the Straight Path; and that Allah may help you with strong help." (Surah Al-Fath', 48-1-3)
The Muslim Army entered the city unpretentiously and peacefully: they did not rob any house, nor did they insult any man or woman. The ProphetSAW granted a general amnesty for the entire population of Mekkah, except four criminals, condemned by justice: they were Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, Abdullah bin Khatal, Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi As-Sarh, and Miqyas bin Subabah. Of them Abdullah bin Khatal and Miqyas bi Subabah were killed on the order of the ProphetSAAW, and Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl and Abdullah (bin Sa'd) bin Abi Sarh did accept Islam. He was permitted to punish the enemies, but he resorted to justice and forgiveness:
"I swear by this city (Makkah); and you are free (from sin, and to punish the enemies of Islam on the Day of the conquest) in this city (Makkah)." [Surah Al-Balad, 90:1-2]
Narrated Ibn Abbas: "On the day of the conquest of Makkah, Allah's MessengerSAAW said: "Allah has made this town a sanctuary. Its thorny bushes should not be cut, its game should be chased, and its fallen things should not be picked up except by one who would announce them publicly". (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith 657)
The ProphetSAAW ordered the destruction of all idols, and pagan images of worship: three hundred and sixty idols, erected in Ka'ba, were thrown out. He himself participated in the destruction of the idols as he was reciting loud: "Allah is Great, Truth has come, falsehood has vanished; verily falsehood is fleeting.":
"And say: "Truth (Islamic Monotheism or the Qur'an 0r Jihad against polytheism) has come and Batil (falsehood, i. e. Satan or polytheism) has vanished. Surely, Batil is ever bound to vanish." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:81)
After clearing the abomination of the idolators, the ProphetSAW delivered a speech from As-Safwa hill, to the assembled people, emphasizing brotherhood and its distinguishing criteria in the Words of the Qur'an:
"O mankind! We have created you from a single male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (pious and righteous person who is always conscious of Allah). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing All-Aware." (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
With his call to Tauhid, the tribal rivalry completely disintegrated: a great multitude of people came to adopt Islam and take the pledge of allegiance to the ProphetSAW. He invited the Quraysh and the gathering, to worship the Lord of the Sacred House:
"Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them in hunger, and made them safe from fear." (Surah Al-Quraysh, 107:3-4)
UmarRA acting as the deputy, administered the oath, whereby the people bound themselves not to adore any deity but Allah, to obey the Prophet, to abstain from theft, adultery, fornication, infanticide, lying and backbiting:
"O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'ah (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, they will not kill their children, that will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i. e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and they will not disobey you in Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism), then accept their Bai'ah (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah Al-Mumtahana, 60:12)
During his stay in Makkah, the Prophet dispatched his disciples in every direction to preach Islam, among the wild tribes of the desert, and to call them to the true Religion of Allah. He sent a smaller detachment of troops into the suburbs, who destroyed the temple of Al-Uzza, Al-Lat, Suwa'a, and Manat, the famous idols in the temples of the neighboring tribes. The order was to carry out the injunctions in the most peaceful manner.
Thus, the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah, completed the mission started by IbrahimAS, clean the city of polytheism and establish Islamic Monotheism. The city of Makkah is the seat and core of Islamic Monotheism, and will continue be so, till the Day of Akhirah.
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