Allah protects the Ka'abah Shareefa

Ka'aba Shareefa

• The House Of Allah on Earth. The earliest structure dedicated to the worship of Allah SWT on Earth.

• It is a cubic structure made of stones.

• This simple building was re-built by Prophet Abraham PBUH and his oldest son, Prophet Ismaeel PBUH on receiving explicit instructions from Allah SWT.

• It is now within Al-Masjidul Haram in Makka, Arabia.

• Allah protects Ka'ba Shareef. As described in Surah Al-Fil of Al-Quran, (Al-Quran:Surah 105), the army of Abraha, the king of Yemen, was beaten back by birds carrying clay pebbles.

• Muslims do NOT worship the Kaaba.

Prophet Ibraheem's Legacy (peace be upon him)

Hajj demonstrates the essence of Islam which is belief in ONE SUPREME UNIVERSAL GOD. Allah, ALONE. All the ceremonies a pilgrim performs, all the places through which he goes during Hajj remind him of a great deal of history of this belief, Tawheed.

An inherent part of the history of Tawheed is the story of Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) who rebuilt the first House of Allah, the Ka'ba, as the focal point for the worship of Allah ALONE.

The story of Prophet Ibraheem (Prophet Abraham, PBUH) is a long story of great sacrifices and complete submission to Allah. Coming through tremendous trials and sacrifices for the sake of Allah, he was elevated to the leadership of mankind.

Allah said:
And (remember) when the Lord of Ibraheem (Abraham) [i.e., All�h] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (All�h) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)." [Ibr�him (Abraham)] said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders)." (All�h) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Z�lim�n (polytheists and wrong-doers)."

(Al-Qur'an 2:124)

When Ibraheem (peace be upon him) stood up to call people to the way of Allah, a series of trials and mountains of calamities fell on him. He was deported from his home, abandoned by his parents, relatives and friends, thrown in the fire meant to burn him alive, and, at last, exiled by the king of the country. Ibraheem (peace be upon him) survived all these trials and stood as firm as a rock for the sake of truth. While in exile he wandered in the parts of the known world at that time calling to the path of Allah. But he still had to face trials from His Lord. After he was blessed with a son at old age, he left his son Prophet Isma'eel and wife Saida Hajar (PBUT) in the barren desolate Baka (Makka) valley on Allah SWT's commands. Allah SWT wanted to test him through this son too as a final test, and ordered him to sacrifice his beloved son. Ibraheem was successful in this test too. He took his son, Isma'eel to a mount called Marwah near the Ka'ba and laid him prostrate, face down, to slaughter him with his own hands. Satisfied with Ibraheem's complete submission and profound love, Allah ransomed Isma'eel with a sacrificial animal. Nahr. (It is in commemmoration of this very event that animals are sacrificed during Hajj and by Muslims all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha).

In this manner, leadership of humanity was entrusted to Ibraheem and he became the pioneer of the universalIslamic movement. Now in order to give an impetus to this movement, he felt the need of men who would settle down in different areas and operate from there as his deputies.

Thus he appointed his elder son Isma'eel, younger son Ishaq (Isaac) and nephew Lut (Lot) (PBUT) in various parts of the known world of that time. Isma'eel was kept in Arabia at Makka and Ibraheem himself stayed with him for a long time to spread the teaching of Islam in all parts of Arabia.

 "They said: "Burn him and help your �liha (gods), if you will be doing." We (All�h) said: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibr�him (Abraham)!"

(Al-Qur'an 21:68,69)

They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!" So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.

And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!" "My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous." So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to All�h), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insh�' All�h (if All�h wills), you shall find me of As-S�bir�n (the patient)."

Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of All�h), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);

And We called out to him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward the Muhsin�n (good-doers - see V.2:112). Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. - a ram); And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations. Sal�mun (peace) be upon Ibraheem (Abraham)!" (Al-Qur'an 37:97-109)