Muslims often narrate that they take Non Muslims to a tour of their mosque. After the tour is finished, the Non Muslims would start looking around the mosque and the Muslims would ask them. Bro! Anything special you are looking for? The Non Muslims asks, "where is the idol you worship?" The Muslim has a good laugh at that and then explains that we Muslims do not worship any idol, we worship the One true God. Islam is against idol worship. A question then asked by Non Muslims is that when Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer? This is a valid question, so lets analyze wheter the Muslims really worship the Kaaba or not.
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 144,
“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”
According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675.
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.
One may even kiss the forhead of his son, but that does not mean that he worships his son.
Once a smart Christian chap asked me, "so if you do not worship the Kaaba, then would you kick the Kaaba?" I asked him, "do you worship your parents?" He said, "No!" I asked him, "so do you go kicking them around?" He fled and never gave me an answer, but I think, he got the answer:)
Here is a rare look inside the Kaaba a original video and a 3D video. Here is a 3D video video of inside the Kaaba.
Here is a original video made inside the kaaba.
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 144,
“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”
Islam believes in fostering unity
For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the center of the world map.Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God
When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.The Black Stone
The Black Stone has been broken into a number of fragments and is now cemented into a silver frame in the side of the Kaaba. Its physical appearance is that of a fragmented dark rock, polished smooth by the hands of millions of pilgrims.Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) Regarding the Black Stone
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675.
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.
One may even kiss the forhead of his son, but that does not mean that he worships his son.
People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?Once a smart Christian chap asked me, "so if you do not worship the Kaaba, then would you kick the Kaaba?" I asked him, "do you worship your parents?" He said, "No!" I asked him, "so do you go kicking them around?" He fled and never gave me an answer, but I think, he got the answer:)
Here is a rare look inside the Kaaba a original video and a 3D video. Here is a 3D video video of inside the Kaaba.
Here is a original video made inside the kaaba.
Here is the bonus, Live Webcast from Makkah. So Enjoy and Share!
