0
"Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds."
Kaaba is the center of the holiest place of worship in Islam i.e. the Sacred Mosque of Mecca (Masjid Al-Haram also known as Masjid-Al-Nabuvi). This is Baitullah, the House of Allah. it was originally built by Hazrat Abraham at the commands of Allah (God).
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam.[2] The building predates Islam, and, according to Islamic tradition, the first building at the site was built by Ibrahim. The building has a mosque built around it, the Masjid al-Haram. All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.
The Holy Kaaba is a history within itself. According to the Qur'an, the Kaaba was re-built by Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismāʿīl (Ishmael).[13] Islamic traditions assert that the Kaaba "reflects" a house in heaven called al-Baytu l-Maʿmur and that it was first built by the first man, Adam and is believed that it is the first building ever built on earthAnd as Allah wished to chose this desert land as a gathering place for Muslims, glory soon shaded the land of sand and stones.
Maqam-e-Ibrahim is recognised as a stone bearing the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim, whose way of path should be followed, following the footprints of this Prophet of Allah, to ensure one remains steadfast in the right path.
The Black Stone(Hajr-e-Aswad) is a significant feature of the Kaaba, believed by Muslims to be placed there by Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael).[10] Located at the eastern corner of the Kaaba, it is about 30 cm (12 in) in diameter and surrounded by a silver frame.
Hajr-e-Aswad, the starting point of the Tawaaf around the Kaaba, has a history which is less well-known, Hajr-e-Aswad was first angel to bear witness to the oneness of God, and the prophethood of Prophet .Muhammed. Yet his witness went one step further, and declared Imam Ali as the rightful successor to the Prophet. Amongst the angels, there were none who had a greater amount of love Prophet Muhammed and his progeny. It was this stone which proved to the doubtful ones that the next Imam after Imam Hussain, was his son. Although not strictly obligatory, pilgrims can kiss the Stone, as Muhammad is said to have done.
As the pagans traditions resulted in 360 idols taking centre place in the Kaaba, the Holy Prophet looked upon this sight with sadness, and following a period of eight years in Madina, returned, to cleanse the House of Allah from idols. It was with Ali on his shoulders that the final and largest idol was removed from the roof of the Kaaba, while reciting the ayah of the Quran,"Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, ever bound to depart."
Kaaba serves as a focal and unifying point among the Muslims around the world. All the Muslims round the globe perform/observe their daily prayers facing towards (keeping their face towards) the Ka'aba from wherever they are. Muslims do not worship Kaaba itself, as may appear to followers of other religions, but it is the most sacred place for muslims and serves as focal point for them. During the annual Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah pilgrimage, Muslims perform ritual circumambulation known as "Tawaf" (walk around around the Ka'aba in a counter-clockwise direction.
From this, one sees that history itself bears witness to the importance which has been placed upon the Kaaba by the Lord of the Worlds, and the words of Nahjul Balagha are used to conclude the importance of fulflling the wajib act of Hajj.