History of the Ka'aba

The Ka’aba has been constructed 10 times until the time of Abdul Malik Bin Marwan. First and foremost, the angels constructed the Ka’aba just under the heavenly Bait Ul Ma’amur. When the Quraish constructed the Ka’aba the 8th time, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself took part in it and carried the stones on His blessed shoulders:

 

The Ka’aba was in a low-lying area of the land. When the rain water flowed through the valley, it would flood the area and the Ka’aba would have to repaired or reconstructed (because it would be washed away). That is why the Quraish decided that:

 

1. The Ka’aba should be constructed again.

2. The door of the Ka’aba should be high, so that water does not enter it.

3. This new building should be roofed.

 

Thus, different people were given different responsibilities. When the time for installing the Hajr Aswad (the heavenly black stone) came, it led to a stiff dispute. Each tribe wanted that this privilege should be theirs. It became necessary to extinguish the fire of dispute here. On the advice of an old person, it was agreed that the first person who came to the Haram the next morning should be taken as the judge and his decision would be accepted.

 

The next day, the first person to come was the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). On seeing Him, everybody cried out: By Allah! He is the Ameen (trustworthy) and we will accept His decision.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) spread a sheet of cloth on the ground and kept the Hajr Aswad in it with His own blessed hands. Then, He ordered the chiefs of all the tribes to lift the cloth and carry it to the place where Hajr Aswad had to be installed. There, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) installed the Hajr Aswad with His own hands and thus, saved people from a bloody war.

 

The Ka’aba has been constructed 10 times up till now, in which 3 times, it has been re-constructed completely:

 

1. First, the angels constructed it right under the heavenly Bait Ul Ma’amur.

 

2. Then Hadhrat Adam (Peace be upon him) constructed it.

 

3. Then the sons of Hadhrat Adam (Peace be upon him).

 

4. Then, Hadhrat Ibrahim Khaleelullah (Peace be upon him) and his son Hadhrat Ismail (Peace be upon him) constructed it.

 

5. Then the ‘Amaleqa constructed it.

 

6. Then the tribe of “Jurhum” had the honor of constructing it.

 

7. Then Qussayyi Bin Kilab of the Quraish did it.

 

8. Then the Quraish themselves in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also took part.

 

9. Then in the caliphate of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Zubair.

 

10. Then in the time of Hajjaj bin Yousuf, which is present till today.

 

The changing of the Qibla:

 

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has made the Ka’aba the Qibla (the direction in which Muslims pray) for this Ummah for the sake of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

In all forms of worship, Salaat (Namaaz) is the best form of worship. Performing this is Fardh on every Momin (Lit. faithful). The way, when Salaat is offered sincerely, it has a certain affect on the soul (Batin) of the person, in the same way, the greatest visible benefit of offering Salaat in congregation is unity and brotherhood. For unity in Salaat, it is necessary that a certain direction be prescribed by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), so that all may turn towards it and pray. Thus, as long as the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was in Makkah, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would offer Salaat facing the Ka’aba, but after Hijrah, He started offering Salaat facing Bait Ul Muqaddis, as ordered by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Pg No: 57).

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered Salaat facing Bait Ul Muqaddis for some 16, 17 months. The Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) wish was that the Ka’aba should be made the Qiblah. Often, awaiting Wahi (divine revelation), He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would start looking at the sky.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the best of all creation. His status with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is that the will of Holy Prophet is the will of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Himself. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) only desires that His Beloved Prophet should be happy and pleased.

 

As Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Himself says in the Holy Quran:

 

And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased. Surah Dhuha (93:5)

 

There is a Hadith Qudsi (i.e. the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) informing us that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says…):

 

Translation of Hadith: Everybody desires My pleasure, but I desire Yours.

 

As per the wish of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the Ka’aba was made the Qiblah for the Muslims. This Ka’aba was the one which Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) had built. It was effective in bringing the Arabs to Islam. Thus, as per the wish of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) gave the order for shifting the Qiblah to Ka’aba right in the middle of Salaat.

 

Thus, in 2 Hijri, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was leading the Zuhr Salaat in Masjid Bani Salama, when right in middle of the Salaat, the Wahi came that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) should turn His face to the Ka’aba, as given in the Holy Quran:

 

We see the turning of thy face to the heavens; now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; wherever ye are turn your faces in that direction. The people of the book know well that that is the truth from their Lord nor is Allah unmindful of what they do. Surah Baqarah (2:144).

 

In the Salaat itself, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) turned from the Bait Ul Muqaddis to the Ka’aba and all the Sahabah who were offering the Salaat also turned from the Bait Ul Muqaddis to the Ka’aba. As this was the Masjid, in which one Salaat was offered facing 2 Qiblah, this Masjid is called Masjid Qiblatain (Lit. Masjid of the 2 Qiblah)