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الكعبة المشرفة
The কাবা শরীফ is a cube-shaped stone structure at the center of মসজিদুল হারাম in মক্কা মুকাররমা, Saudi Arabia. It is the most sacred site in Islam, serving as the qibla (direction of সালাত) for over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Pilgrims perform তাওয়াফ by circling it seven times counterclockwise during হজ্জ and উমরাহ.
The কাবা শরীফ, meaning 'The Cube' in Arabic, is believed by Muslims to have been originally built by নবী করীম 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 established by নবী করীম Adam as the first place of worship on Earth. The কুরআন references this in Surah Al-Imran (3:96): 'Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah (মক্কা মুকাররমা) — blessed and a guidance for the worlds.' Throughout pre-Islamic history, the কাবা শরীফ underwent numerous reconstructions. The Quraysh tribe rebuilt it during নবী করীম Muhammad's (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) 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 হাজরে আসওয়াদ (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 নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) conquered মক্কা মুকাররমা in 630 CE (8 AH), he entered the কাবা শরীফ 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' (কুরআন 17:81). This event marked the permanent restoration of the কাবা শরীফ as the center of Islamic worship. The কাবা শরীফ has been rebuilt and renovated several times throughout Islamic history. 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 Marwan 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 কাবা শরীফ 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 কুরআনic calligraphy, which is replaced annually during হজ্জ. The হাজরে আসওয়াদ 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 কাবা শরীফ holds unparalleled significance in Islam as the Bayt Allah (House of God) and the qibla toward which all Muslims direct their five daily সালাতs. It is the focal point of the হজ্জ হজ্জ — the fifth pillar of Islam — and the উমরাহ, both of which require তাওয়াফ around the কাবা শরীফ as a central rite. The কুরআন 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 সালাত' (2:125). The কাবা শরীফ 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 তাওয়াফ around the কাবা শরীফ 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 কাবা শরীফ is located at the center of the Mataf (circumambulation area) within মসজিদুল হারাম. 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 হজ্জ or উমরাহ begin their তাওয়াফ from the line of the হাজরে আসওয়াদ (marked by a green light on the মসজিদ wall) and circle the কাবা শরীফ seven times counterclockwise. The Mataf area can become extremely crowded, especially during হজ্জ season and Ramadan. Visitors should be aware that touching or kissing the হাজরে আসওয়াদ is sunnah but not ওয়াজিব — pointing toward it from a distance is equally valid and far safer during peak times. The area between the কাবা শরীফ door and the হাজরে আসওয়াদ, known as the Multazam, is a place where দোয়াs are particularly মুস্তাহাব. Wheelchair-accessible তাওয়াফ routes are available on the ground floor and upper levels of the মসজিদ. The best times for a less crowded তাওয়াফ experience are during the late night hours (after Isha সালাত) and early morning (before Fajr). During হজ্জ season (Dhul Hijjah 8-13), the Mataf is reserved for হজ্জ হাজীগণ performing their ওয়াজিব তাওয়াফ. Temperatures in মক্কা মুকাররমা can exceed 45 degrees Celsius in summer, so visitors should stay hydrated and use the cooled marble floors and air-conditioned sections of the মসজিদ.