Kaaba is the mecca of Muslims, all Muslims on this earth perform prayers facing the kaaba. Kaaba is a holy place for Muslims and is also famous for its baitullah (house of Allah). It does not mean that Allah is there (God is not located), but it is said to be the house of Allah because Kaaba is a place that unites all Muslims when doing prayer, everyone faces Kaaba during prayer.
Kaaba is the holiest place on earth, it is also called Baitullah, Bait-al-Haram, and the sacred house. Kaaba is the center of the world or the center point of the universe and is the point where all Muslims turn to when they pray. The kaaba is shaped like a cube with a height of 15 meters, and the sides are 10.5 meters apart on each side. The kaaba is covered with a kiswah (black silk cloth) inscribed with Quranic verses embroidered with gold. The black cloth called KISWAH, is produced in Saudi Arabia and is replaced every year with another kiswah.
Construction of Kaaba
Kaaba is the oldest building on earth, even before Islam came, this building already existed, and the kaaba at that time became a place of worship for the ancient Arabs. The construction of the kaaba was first carried out by the prophet Ibrahim (AS) with his son the prophet Ismail (AS), this is as described in the Holy Qur’an;
“And (remember) when Abraham and (his son) Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House (the Kaba at Mecca), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower’” (Quran 2:127)
Prophet Ibrahim built the kaaba to worship Allah, but the ignorant Arabs used it as a place to worship idols. In 8 Hijriyyah, when Prophet Muhammad SAW conquered Makkah, he destroyed all the idols in Kaaba, and while doing so, Prophet Muhammad SAW continued to recite this verse of the Quran:
“Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished.” (17:81)
Since then, the holy kaaba has been modified and modified to prevent flooding and rain. The change in Kaaba also pays attention to the accommodation of the increasing number of pilgrims, especially in the hajj season to carry out the pilgrimage.
Importance of Holy Kaaba
Kaaba is a symbol of the unity of the Islamic ummah, where Muslims around the world face the kaaba when performing prayers. It must be remembered that Muslims do not worship kaaba, but it is a symbol of the oneness of Allah.
Kaaba has an important role and is an important place and site for Muslims. This is the Qibla which is the direction for all Muslims in the world when they pray or the second pillar of Islam. So, the holy kaaba is the point of unity for Muslims in all colors and conditions.
Pilgrimage or Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam for those who have the ability to walk to Mecca. Performing the pilgrimage is the obligation of all Muslims who are given the ability by Allah, if they are physically and economically capable, then it is obligatory to perform the pilgrimage once in a lifetime. When pilgrims come to Makkah, they gather at the Haram asy-Shariif and then perform the Tawaf Qudum worship, namely by circling the kaaba for 7 rounds.
Important Sites Around Kaaba
In the kaaba building there is the Black Stone (black stone), located on the east side of the holy kaaba. When performing the pilgrimage, pilgrims try to kiss this stone, this is a stone that comes from heaven, where when it is sent down from heaven it is white like milk, but this white color changes over time due to the many sins of humans that are attached there when kissing it. It was as if the one who kissed the Black Stone made his sins fall.
So, this black rock is one of the most important sites near Kaaba. In addition, there is a zam-zam well, this is a very amazing magical spring and is one of the most important relics of the prophet Ismail (AS) for Muslims. Drinking zam zam water will provide many benefits for the physical or spiritual.
Then, the holy Kaaba is surrounded by the hills of Safa and Marwah, and this has significance in Islam. In past history, the mother of the prophet Ismail (AS) named Hajar, ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa to find water for Ismail who was thirsty. He ran 7 laps and then saw springs gushing down the side of Ismail’s feet (AS). This is what later became the well of zam zam whose water never dries up and never decreases even though millions of people come to take it.
Who Can Go Inside the Kaaba (Tips to Enter in 2022)
After the prophet Muhammad SAW mastered the Kaaba, he and his troops entered the kaaba and removed all the idols that were in the kaaba. then the Prophet Muhammad SAW dedicated the kaaba as a place to worship Allah.
During the Hajj season, the kaaba is closed due to the large number of pilgrims who come. So, who exactly can enter the kaaba, here we will discuss this and some other interesting things to listen to.
also read: The Important History of Al-Aqsa Mosque
So, Who Can Go Inside the Holy Kaaba?
Kaaba is a cube-shaped building made of stone in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque or Masjid al Haram in Makkah. In this place there is a black stone or known as the Black Stone. This is the main point to which Muslims seek to invoke Allah.
The interior of the kaaba is very beautiful with half the walls from the bottom clad in white marble, and the upper half covered with green cloth. The inside of the kaaba is very small and there are only three pillars made of stone. There are also stairs to get to the roof.
So, who is allowed to enter the kaaba? We’ll see now.
Kaaba is in the holy city of Makkah, and it is only open to Muslims, and in this regard the Saudi Arabian government is very strict. However, it is not impossible for non-Muslims to enter Mecca, because of past events.
In accordance with the existing facts, thousands and even millions of people come to perform the pilgrimage every year. However, this is still very unlikely for non-Muslims to penetrate into Mecca because everything will be strictly checked including proof of a convert to Islam.
Also see: Facts about the Kaaba – The Holy Baitullah
To enter into the kaaba, all Muslims are allowed to do so. But usually, for now officials usually get the opportunity to enter and of course by request.
So, all Muslims with the permission of the guard, of course they can enter as most officials or authorities who ask for permission to enter the kaaba, they allow them to enter. So, it can be said that now only certain people from among Muslims are allowed to enter the kaaba, this is because there are so many Muslims who want to enter if this opportunity is wide open.
