Have you ever wondered about the history of Kabba? The Kabba is a sacred structure that has captured the hearts of believers for centuries. But what is its story? And who was the first to lay its foundation? Come with us on an exciting journey as we uncover the secrets of the Kabba and the history of its construction.
Who built the Kabba?
When talking about the history of kabba, an important question arises: who built the kabba? Scholars have differed on who first built the Kabba. Some say it was the angels, while others believe it was Adam (peace be upon him). However, it was destroyed during the flood of Noah. Later, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael), peace be upon them, rebuilt it.
As Allah says:
“وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ١٢٧”
“And ˹remember˺ when Abraham raised the foundation of the House with Ishmael, ˹both praying,˺ “Our Lord! Accept ˹this˺ from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
It’s said that the Kabba has been rebuilt 12 times throughout history. The most prominent builders include:
- The angels.
- Adam (peace be upon him).
- Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them).
- Two Arab tribes: Al-Amaliqa and Jurhum.
- Quraysh.
- Abdullah Ibn Al-Zubair.
- Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi.
- Sultan Murad IV.
when was the kabba built?
Many people ask: when was the kabba built? Historical accounts suggest that the Kaaba was built several times throughout history. The most notable constructions are
1. The Angels’ Construction of the Kabba:
Historians mention that the first to build the Kabba were the angels. They constructed it before the creation of Adam (peace be upon him).
2. Adam’s Construction of the Kabba:
It is said in the history of kabba that Allah commanded Adam to build the Kabba. However, it was destroyed by the flood during the time of Prophet Noah.
3. Ibrahim and Ismail Rebuilding the Kabba:
Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail to rebuild the Kabba and guided them to its location. Allah said
“وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًۭٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ٢٦”
“And ˹remember˺ when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House, ˹saying,˺ “Do not associate anything with Me ˹in worship˺ and purify My House for those who circle ˹the Ka’bah˺, stand ˹in prayer˺, and bow and prostrate themselves.”
4. Quraysh’s Construction of the Kabba
After parts of the Kabba were damaged due to flooding, the Quraysh rebuilt it about 30 years after the Year of the Elephant. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself participated by placing the Black Stone with his noble hands.
5. Abdullah Ibn Al-Zubair’s Reconstruction in 65 AH:
The Kabba was rebuilt during the time of Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr. The reason for its reconstruction was that it caught fire after being struck by catapults during the siege of Mecca by Yazid ibn Muawiyah.
6. Reconstruction by Al-Hajjaj in 74 AH:
Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi rebuilt the Kabba during the rule of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. The Kaaba had burned after being hit with catapults by Al-Hajjaj. When Ibn Al-Zubayr was killed and Al-Hajjaj took control of Mecca, he rebuilt the Kabba once again.
7. Reconstruction by Sultan Murad IV in 1040 AH:
The Ottoman Sultan Murad IV ordered the reconstruction of the Kabba after its walls were damaged by heavy rains. This is the current structure of the Kabba, and all subsequent changes have been restorations and repairs only.
when was the kabba built for the first time?
Historians mention that the Kabba was first built by the angels 2,000 years before the creation of Adam (peace be upon him).
As narrated in “Tafsir Al-Baghawi”: “It was reported from Ali Ibn Al-Husayn that Allah placed a house under the Throne called ‘Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur’ and ordered the angels to circle around it. Then He ordered the angels on earth to build a similar house on earth with the same measurements, and they built it. It was named Al-Durrah, and the inhabitants of the earth were commanded to circumambulate it just as the inhabitants of the heavens circle Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur.”
Thus, we had answered the question: when was the kabba built for the first time?
black stone of the kabba
When discussing the history of kabba, we must mention the Black Stone. Many people ask: What is the history of Kabba Stone?
The black stone of the kabba is a stone that descended from Paradise, brought down by the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). It was not originally black; rather, it was whiter than snow. But the sins of human beings turned it black.
As mentioned in the hadith:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «نَزَلَ الْحَجَرُ الْأَسْوَدُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَهُوَ أَشَدُّ بَيَاضًا مِنَ اللَّبَنِ فَسَوَّدَتْهُ خَطَايَا بَنِي آدَمَ» .
He reported God’s messenger as saying, “The black stone descended from paradise whiter than milk, but the sins of the descendants of Adam made it black.”
Why do Muslims Walk Around The Kabba?
Many people are amazed and ask,Why do Muslims walk around the Kabba?
The answer is that the circumambulation of the Kabba is an act of obedience to Allah’s command. For the one who performs Tawaf (circumambulation), their ranks are elevated, their sins are erased, and good deeds are recorded for every step taken. As mentioned in the hadith:
وَعَن عُبيدِ بنِ عُمَيرٍ: أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَانَ يُزَاحِمُ عَلَى الرُّكْنَيْنِ زِحَامًا مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَدًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُزَاحِمُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ: إِنْ أَفْعَلْ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ مَسْحَهُمَا كَفَّارَةٌ لِلْخَطَايَا» وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ طَافَ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ أُسْبُوعًا فَأَحْصَاهُ كَانَ كَعِتْقِ رَقَبَةٍ» . وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ: «لَا يَضَعُ قَدَمًا وَلَا يَرْفَعُ أُخْرَى إِلا حطَّ اللَّهُ عنهُ بهَا خَطِيئَة وكتبَ لهُ بهَا حَسَنَة» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ
‘Ubaid b. ‘Umair said: Ibn ‘Umar used to press towards the two corners in a manner I have not seen any of the companions of God’s messenger press. He said, “If I do so, it is because I heard God’s messenger say that stroking them is an atonement for sins; and I heard him say that if anyone goes round this House for a week and counts his circuits, it will be like setting free a slave; I heard him say that no one will place one foot on the ground and raise the other without God removing a sin from him on account of it and recording a blessing for him on account of it.”
Tirmidhi transmitted it.
Conclusion:
In the end, we explored the history of kabba and learned who first built it. We also understood the wisdom behind walking around it in Tawaf.
We discovered that the Kaaba was demolished and rebuilt several times throughout history, a magnificent story reflecting the sanctity of this blessed place and its deep significance in the hearts of Muslims.
And if you want to learn more about the history of kabba and dive into the Quran and the prophetic biography in a simplified and inspiring way, Rahiq Academy offers you the best online religious courses.
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