Ep. 04: Devotion | History of The Ka’bah

Allah (SWT) has given the command to Ibrahim (AS) to construct Bayt-Allah with his son Isma’il (AS). The father and son join together in this noble effort and special project. While the location and the general framework of the structure was given to them by Allah (SWT), Ibrahim (AS) got to work on the actual construction. Isma’il (AS) would go to the mountains and fetch suitable stones and Ibrahim (AS) would lay them down. Allah (SWT) describes this effort as [“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.” Surah Al-Baqarah: 127] Ibrahim (AS) raising the foundations of Bayt-Allah along with Isma’il (AS).

Ibrahim (AS) did not need to use mortar or cement. Ibrahim (AS) lifts the stones, and after a certain height, he stands on a stone that is able to elevate him so he can reach and place the stones high up on the wall. The height of the structure is somewhere around 4.32 meters, Ibrahim (AS) does not build a roof for the structure, either. There are two doors: one facing the east and one facing the west. The one facing the east is still exactly where it was at that time; the location is still the same, and the door facing the west has been closed off and we no longer see that. At that time, both doors were made at ground level and were not elevated. From what we know as the place of Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and Al-Rukn Al-Yamaniq, this part of it was squared, but the last portion of it was rounded, and where the current structure ends, at that time, it extended in a round shape about 3 meters beyond that. Now, Allah (SWT) is showing the miracle of Maqam Ibrahim. This stone that he stands on for the sake of laying the stones rises like an elevator or scaffolding, which enables him to construct the upper part of the walls. During this process, both Ibrahim (AS) and Isma’il (AS) are both making du’a for Allah (SWT) to accept these actions from them and to forgive them for any shortcomings on their behalf. During this time, they are also asking Allah (SWT) to give them the reality of submission; to make them truly submissive to him. The word used in their du’a, Muslimayn, is not referring to them asking Allah (SWT) to make them Muslims, as of course, they were the examples and models for all Muslims to come, but they are asking for Allah (SWT) for the ability to display true submission to his command. And of course, they are making du’a for their progeny as well, and it was during this time that Ibrahim (AS) asked Allah (SWT) to send a prophet to these people who is from amongst themselves who would invite them to Allah (SWT) by reading them verses and who would teach them the book and sunnah, purifying them.

Ibrahim (AS) is busily engaged in these kinds of du’as, just like he is making du’a for the people of this area. Allah (SWT) is listening to these du’as, and at that time, someone would ask Ibrahim (AS) why he would make these du’as in the middle of nowhere, but Ibrahim (AS) is asking for Allah (SWT) to make this place a place of security and a place that is completely safe and secure from all kinds of threats and harm, and he asks Allah (SWT) to bring fruits to these people, as there are no means to grow any vegetation there. Aside from the miracle of Maqam Ibrahim, Allah (SWT) also sends a stone from Jannah which is pure white, and Ibrahim (AS) was instructed to leave one corner of the structure empty for this stone, which he does. As the prophet (SAW) describes, as is mentioned in the hadith of Tirmidhi, that this stone came from Jannah, and when it came, it was whiter than milk; but as people came and touched it, their sins started to color it, and it became black. This stone is known as Al-Hajar Al-Aswad. After this, Allah (SWT) instructs Ibrahim (AS) to invite all of mankind to this house, and as the narrations mention, he said, “O Allah, how far can my voice reach?” To which Allah (SWT) says, “Announce for all of mankind that they must come and pay homage and pilgrimage to this place.” Allah (SWT) tells Ibrahim (AS) that it is his job to send the message, and Allah (SWT)’s responsibility is to convey that message. Ibrahim (AS) then stands on the mountain known as Abu Qubays and calls out to all of mankind; “O People! Verily Allah has prescribed Hajj for you, so come perform Hajj.” As mentioned in the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) promised him: [“And proclaim to the People the Hajj (pilgrimage); they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” Surah Al-Hajj: 27] “They will come on foot and they will come on exhausted animals, from every distant and deep valley.” That call of Ibrahim (AS) was conveyed to all the people on the earth on that time, and as Mufassireen have mentioned, Allah (SWT) conveyed that voice even to Alam Al-Arwah, where all the souls of mankind were assembled and kept, and they heard the call of Ibrahim (AS). It not only reached all corners of the world, but it also reached the heavens. In this way, the foundation of Bayt-Allah was secured until the Day of Judgement, and Allah (SWT) took this work from Ibrahim (AS) only after he had gone through many different levels of tests.

One of the lessons here is that in order for us to serve Allah (SWT) in a meaningful way we have to show our eligibility to Allah (SWT) by passing many series of tests. Allah (AWJ) will test us through hardships and through his commandments to see if we abide by those commandments and stand up to those hardships for the sake of Allah or we give up. For those who stand firm and remain pious and do not violate any of Allah (SWT)’s commands, Allah (SWT) takes them to the next level, just like in school how we are given exams not to be punished, but so that we can go to the next level in that area. At the end of the year, when we have all of those exams, the idea is not to fail a person, but the idea is to see if they are ready for the next level of education. Ibrahim (AS) proved his worthiness to Allah (SWT) by passing all the tests that he had brought his way, and he had shown that he was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of Allah, and not sacrifice his command for anything, and, as such, Allah (AWJ) gave him acceptance, and all the prophets that came after him were from Ibrahim (AS)’ children. Every incident comes with its own lessons, morals and teachings for us to adopt. This Ka’bah is sharing with us and conveying to us a story, or perhaps many stories of dedication, devotion, submission and loyalty to Allah (SWT), and it is a reminder to all of us that we did not arrive on the earth by coincidence; but rather, that we exist from immense sacrifice. O Muslims: stay on this path; stay loyal to your lord, and do not compromise his commandments for anything.