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Corey Dooley
Professor Thompson
History 134
11 December 2017
The Kaba
The religion of the muslims, Islam is a ancient religion that is one of the largest religions
in the world today. Islam is known for its monotheistic beliefs originating from the prophet
Muhammad of Saudi Arabia. As this religion can be depicted in many aspects of its beliefs
another important source of Islam is its evolving and ancient history. A common feature of all
religions would be their recognized holy places and centers of worship. When studying Islam,
you will find that the Kaba is recognized as the holiest site in Islam. The Kaba is recognized
and worshipped for its sacred history, architecture, and its characteristics of remaining the holiest
shrine of Islam.
The Kaba is recognized as the holiest site in Islam and is known to be the Muslims
appointed center of worship located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In Arabic Kaba translates to mean
a high place of respect and also relating to a cube. This ancient sanctuary of Islamic worship
exhibits a history and traditions that reflect their religion today. The Islamic structure of the
Kaba comes from the history that is believed to say it was built by the prophet Abraham and and
his son, Ismail. Later to be revived by the prophet Muhammad, this holy place has been
destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its history. Its structural belief is symbolized
through the black stones the Kaba is known for The Kaba is built around a sacred black stone,
a meteorite that Muslims believe was placed by Abraham and Ishmael in a corner of the Kaba, a
symbol of God's covenant with Abraham and Ishmael and, by extension, with the Muslim

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community itself (Umrah Services). Many alterations have been done to this sacred structure
along the years such as multiple renovations caused by flood and war, and a recent expansion by
the Saudi Arabian government to accommodate the increasing amount of pilgrims in this area.
Today, this sacred structure has many outstanding features like the gold door addition in 1982,
and the silk cloth that covers the Kaba known as the kiswa. In visual aspect the Kaba is a cube
structure with four corners correlating to the north, south, east, and west with the black stone
located in the east corner and gold geometric motifs decorated along the interior walls (Archnet).
The significance of the Kiswa to the Kaba is that it is comprised of eight curtains (a pair on
each side of the cube) embroidered with gold calligraphy expressing the Muslim shahada, or
oath, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah. (Archnet). The
Kaba continues to represent historical and spiritual aspects through its ancient structure in the
Islamic faith.
A significant aspect of behind the Kaba would be the beliefs and holiness within it and
the muslim people. The pilgrimage of Muhammad to Mecca is an important aspect to the
evolving of the Kaba, which later relates to the importance of pilgrims to this holy place. A vital
component to the Kaba and the muslim people would be the holiness and spiritual significance
associated with it. The sacred importance of the Kaba comes from the muslim journey to Mecca
called Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is an action asked of all muslims who
can fulfill the journey to the Kaba in Mecca to during the last month of the Islamic year, Dhu Al
Hijja to emphasize a time of religious unity and personal purity. Not only does this involve the
pilgrimage to Mecca, but also the Islamic ritual they perform when arriving to the Kaba. When
he or she enters the city of Mecca, the pilgrim first walks around the Ka'ba seven times (the
tawaf, or circumambulation) while reciting the talbiya, then kisses or touches the Black Stone in

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the Ka'ba, prays twice towards the Station of Abraham and the Ka'ba and runs seven times
between the small mountains of Safa and Marwa (ReligionFacts). The Muslim pilgrims do this
ritual in respect and worship to the Kaba, the first holy place of God, and are asked of the five
pillars to try to do this ritual at least once in their lifetime if possible. These five pillars hold
many notes that exemplify the meanings of being a Muslim person and their religious goal.
Islam is that you testify that there is none worthy of worship (in truth) but Allah and that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, you establish the prayer, you pay the Zakah, you fast in
Ramadan, and you perform pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) if you have the capability.
[Muslim] (Mecca). The festivities of the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaba is one of great historical
context and influential Islamic religious beliefs.
The Kaba is now depicted as the most sacred place of worship in the Islamic religion.
The Muslim followers of Islam that regularly follow the Five Pillars of Islam are the true
followers of the faith. The Kaba being the holiest site in Islam is significant in its structure and
the Islamic religious aspects behind it. Hajj at the Kaba will continually became a growing
important pillar to the Muslims in this largely followed religion.

Works Cited
"Hajj Information." Mecca. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

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Annotation: The website titled Mecca with information on Hajj was a good source for
information on the Five Islamic Pillars of Faith. It had insite on the inner activities of the Muslim
people in faith.

Hajj. ReligionFacts.com. 20 Nov. 2016. Web. Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.

<www.religionfacts.com/hajj>
Annotation: Religion Facts provided a wide range of information on the ritual
Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj that takes place in Mecca.
"Ka'ba | Archnet." Archnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.
Annotation: Archnet a website popular for its information on historical architectures provided
much information on the Kaaba's historical structure and its significance
Umrah, Hajj. "What Is the Significance of the Black Kaaba in Mecca for Muslims?" What Is the
Significance of the Black Kaaba in Mecca for Muslims? - Quora. Quora, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.
Annotation: This helped explain the religious beliefs of the Muslims and why they believe what
they believe and its correlation to the Kaba.