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الكعبة المشرفة
The الكعبة is a cube-shaped stone structure at the center of المسجد الحرام in مكة, المملكة العربية السعودية. It is the most sacred site in Islam, serving as the القبلة (direction of الصلاة) for over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Pilgrims perform الطواف by circling it seven times counterclockwise during الحج and العمرة.
The الكعبة, meaning 'The Cube' in Arabic, is believed by Muslims to have been originally built by النبي Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) as a house of monotheistic worship. According to Islamic tradition, the site predates Ibrahim, with some scholars holding that it was first أُسس by النبي Adam as the first place of worship on Earth. The القرآن references this in Surah Al-Imran (3:96): 'Indeed, the first House [of worship] أُسس for mankind was that at Bakkah (مكة) — blessed and a guidance for the worlds.' Throughout pre-Islamic تاريخ, the الكعبة underwent numerous reconstructions. The Quraysh tribe rebuilt it during النبي Muhammad's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) youth, approximately five years before his prophethood. During this reconstruction, a dispute arose among the tribes over who would have the honor of placing the الحجر الأسود (al-Hajar al-Aswad) back in its corner. The young Muhammad resolved the conflict by placing the stone on a cloth and having representatives of each tribe carry it together, then setting it in place with his own hands. When النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) conquered مكة in 630 CE (8 AH), he entered the الكعبة and removed the 360 idols that had been placed inside, restoring it to its original purpose of monotheistic worship. He recited the verse: 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to depart' (القرآن 17:81). This event marked the permanent restoration of the الكعبة as the center of Islamic worship. The الكعبة has been rebuilt and renovated several times throughout Islamic تاريخ. Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr rebuilt it in 683 CE on the foundations of Ibrahim, expanding it to include the area known as the Hijr Ismail. The Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik ibn المروةn later restored it closer to its Qurayshi dimensions. The current structure largely dates to renovations carried out during the Ottoman period, with the Saudi government undertaking major restorations in 1996 and periodic maintenance since. The الكعبة stands approximately 13.1 meters (43 feet) high, with sides measuring 11.03 meters (36.2 feet) by 12.86 meters (42.2 feet). It is draped in the Kiswah, a black silk cloth embroidered with gold القرآنic calligraphy, which is replaced annually during الحج. The الحجر الأسود is set into the eastern corner, and the door, made of pure gold, is set 2.13 meters above ground level on the northeastern wall.
The الكعبة holds unparalleled أهمية in Islam as the Bayt Allah (House of God) and the القبلة toward which all Muslims direct their five daily الصلوات. It is the focal point of the الحج الحج — the fifth pillar of Islam — and the العمرة, both of which require الطواف around the الكعبة as a central rite. The القرآن commands: 'And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and a place of security. And take from the standing place of Abraham a place of الصلاة' (2:125). The الكعبة symbolizes the unity of the Muslim ummah, as believers across every continent, culture, and language turn toward this single point in worship. It represents the continuity of monotheistic worship from Ibrahim to Muhammad (peace be upon them both) and serves as a powerful reminder of tawhid — the oneness of God. Performing الطواف around the الكعبة is considered one of the most spiritually profound acts in Islam, with scholars describing it as an earthly reflection of the angels' circumambulation of al-Bayt al-Ma'mur in the heavens.
The الكعبة is located at the center of the Mataf (circumambulation area) within المسجد الحرام. It is accessible 24 hours a day, year-round, though the interior is only opened on special occasions for dignitaries and cleaning ceremonies. Pilgrims performing الحج or العمرة begin their الطواف from the line of the الحجر الأسود (marked by a green light on the مسجد wall) and circle the الكعبة seven times counterclockwise. The Mataf area can become extremely crowded, especially during الحج season and رمضان. Visitors should be aware that touching or kissing the الحجر الأسود is سنة but not واجب — pointing toward it from a distance is equally valid and far safer during peak times. The area between the الكعبة door and the الحجر الأسود, known as the Multazam, is a place where الأدعية are particularly مستحب. Wheelchair-accessible الطواف routes are available on the ground floor and upper levels of the مسجد. The best times for a less crowded الطواف experience are during the late night hours (after Isha الصلاة) and early morning (before Fajr). During الحج season (ذو الحجة 8-13), the Mataf is reserved for الحج الحجاج performing their واجب الطواف. Temperatures in مكة can exceed 45 degrees Celsius in summer, so الزوار should stay hydrated and use the cooled marble floors and air-conditioned sections of the مسجد.