The House of Allah
by Rit NosotroChange Over Time essay
Describe the origin and changes to the Kabaa. What is the status of the Kaaba today?
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The Kaaba enshrines the sacred black meteorite rock in Mecca as a result of the moon god winning out over other dieties.
Summary:
The idea of Allah was derived from Jewish and then Christian monotheism. The symbol of the Islamic cresent moon reflects the history of how the ancient Kabaa near present day Mecca once housed a pantheon of deities but how Mohammad eleminated all but one who came to be known as Allah.
"And now verily We shall make you turn (in prayer) toward a Qibla which is dear to you. So turn your face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship (the Kaaba of Makkah)." (Al Baqarah 2:144)1
“Allah”, who Muslims worship, can not be approached in the personal "come as you are" type of conversations that Christians experience as they boldly come before God. For Muslims, Allah is unreachable and closest they can get is by trekking to the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. That prayers are made facing this historic structure indicates the important place it holds in Islam. Not only is it considered to be the house of Allah but it is also, according to experts and the Koran, the focal point for followers of Islam. There are different theories as to how the Kaaba came into existence. However, the whole idea of the Kaaba today is little different than what it was originally intended for. On the top of just about any minaret at a mosque one can find the well known Islamic symbol of the crescent moon. Muslims rely heavily on the moon for a number of things including important Islamic holidays such as Ramadan (a thirty-day period of fasting).
How did Allah rise to the one god of the Islamic faith? The moon god Hubal was left standing while over three hundred and sixty other gods, that were worshipped in Mecca, were ordered to be destroyed. What was so special about this god? Early Muslims did worship a moon god named Hubal at the Kaaba who was considered to be the Lord of Kaaba.2 It is possible that this is the deity who was identified by Mohammad as Allah, the moon god.4 The reason for this is that Allah is also considered to be the Lord of Kaaba. When Mohammad appeared on the scene and got rid of all the other gods save one, it is believed that that one god who was Allah was the moon god.3
It is also important for Muslims and Christians to understand that they do not worship the same God even though Christian Arabs refer to God as Allah. One major
difference is that Jesus taught Christians to pray to “our Father in heaven”
(Matthew 6:9) who made the moon and stars. And that no man could go to the Father except through the Son (Jesus). The Koran directly refutes this theology.
Muslims believe that Abraham actually built the Kaaba as a landmark for the
House of God (Allah) for worshipping God (Allah) alone.5 “We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point
for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer
house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for
those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."[Quran; 2:125] It is also considered
that Adam might actually have built the first Kaaba and that Abraham just rebuilt
it. This is just one of the areas in which what Muslims believe conflicts with
Christianity and God’s word.
Muslims believe that Ishmael,
not Isaac was the chosen son and that Ishmael helped Abraham build the Kaaba.
From what the Bible says it is understood by Christians and Jews that Ishmael was sent out
from Abraham's house with his mother (Gen. 21:8-20)6, so he was probably not
around to help with the supposed construction of the Kaaba. The Kaaba has been
around for a long time and despite the idea of its origin which is that Abraham
built it, there are really not many other theories about its construction. However,
there are some other things known about the beginnings of the Kaaba. Mecca,
the location of the Kaaba, is considered to be the first place of worship appointed
for mankind and so it makes since that such an important place of worship was
built there.3 Muslims have used scriptures in the Bible in order to justify
their beliefs about Baca in the eyes of Christians. Beyond showing
what the Koran has to say, Muslims schoolars justify it in other
texts. This ends up showing that there must be some holes in what the Koran
says, since it is not enough to prove the importance of the Kaaba on its own.
The origin of the Black Stone and the Kaaba are linked to the fall of Hadhrat
Adam (alayhis salaam) from Paradise onto earth at Makkah.1 The
history of the Kaaba is supported in the Koran to claim that Abraham built it
and that it was around for centuries before Mohammad, existing as a place of
worship.8
For such a supposedly “holy” place the Kaaba has undergone a number
of structural changes for a number of different reasons. Simply put the Kaaba
is a stone box looking building. The original Kaaba that was supposed to have
been built by Abraham is no longer in existence but either was destroyed or
decayed.8 An important part of the Kaaba is a Black Stone located on one corner
of the Kaaba, this stone is often kissed by pilgrims as they pass by it.8 Numerous
rulers throughout history have made so many changes to the Kaaba, that for today's pilgram could almost unrecognizable for earlier pilgrims who journeyed to it.9 Several important prophets also made changes to the stone structure. Some specific
changes and modifications were done to the Kaaba by Abdullah Ibn az-Zubayr.
First of all he put a small window close to the roof so that light could get
in. He also moved the door of the Kaaba to ground level and even added a second
door. Two other notable changes were made by him, he added nine cubits of height,
and he also reduced the number of pillars inside to three rather than the nine
that had been built by Quraish.10 Another individual who did some structural
changes to the Kaaba was Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Not only did bin Marwan rebuild
in the Kaaba into its smaller shape, he also walled up the western door. Two
other changes were that he removed the wooden ladder that Ibn az-Zubayr had
put inside and he also reduced the height of the door by five cubits.10 It is
still very interesting that changes were made at all to a place held so sacred
and it is interesting to consider if changes will continue to take place. However,
sometimes these changes are needed in order to insure the lasting of the Kaaba
but it does bring to mind doubts as to what is so sacred about it if it can
not even stand up without being fixed.
Today the Kaaba is located in the center of the Sacred Mosque which can hold
up to one million worshippers. Muslims feelings towards the Kaaba have not really
changed over time, “And a temple has been set-up there, which is very
holy and exceedingly revered by all Arabians.” (Diodorus Siculus). Islam
misuses the Bible as a way of proving the importance of Mecca and the Kaaba
simply because they believe that these places were mentioned in the Bible (Ps.
84:1-12).7 The holiest place in Islam is still existent today and its worth
has not decreased in the eyes of followers of Islam. Hajj is still considered
to be one of the most important pillars in Islam. So what does the Kaaba look
like today after all the changes it has undergone? Well, today the Kaaba has
in its interior gold and silver lamps that suspend from the ceiling.8 Also today
the Kaaba is thirty-nine feet and six inches high and its stone walls have a
black cloth with gold inscriptions from the Koran.9 The Black Stone is now located
at the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Its ceiling and roof are made of teak capped
in stainless steel. The walls are made completely of stone and are polished.10 Other than its outward appearance the importance of the Kaaba has probably increased
due to its increasing age. Muslims still view it as the holiest place. Also
Muslims still believe in the importance of praying in the direction of the Kaaba.
Now some would say why pray to a building but defenders of the Muslim faith
say that the building is not what is important. This is interesting due to all
the changes that have taken place and the importance that has been placed in
the preserving it.
Commentary:
It is hard to comprehend why a “place” can hold so much importance
to people. Christians understand that this world is not their home and
that things or structures should not take an important place in their hearts.
However, for Muslims the Kaaba is sacred and important. It’s origins reach
back to where they stem their past and so they feel that they have been connected
to it for a long period of time. Also due to the fact that the Koran gives the
Kaaba value, Muslims see it as having power. Another major factor that contributes
to the importance of the Kaaba is that a journey to it is included in the five
pillars of Islam. Thus, this stone box structure draws millions who desire to gain merit when it comes to obtaining a place in paradise. Christians, on the other hand, need only accept Jesus and their place is secure (Rom. 10:13).11 Muslims take the Kaaba seriously and for them it is Allah’s house. Unfortunately
they are worshipping the wrong god, the moon god who can not save them!
Quick Quiz:
Endnotes:
1 -"And now verily We shall make you turn (in prayer) toward
a Qibla which is dear to you. So turn your face toward the Inviolable Place
of Worship (the Kaaba of Makkah)." (Al Baqarah 2:144)
The Kaaba, talk given by Moulana A Kathrada in Durban (1995)
http://www.jamiat.org.za/isinfo/kaaba.html
2 – Islam: Truth or Myth?
http://www.bible.ca/islam/islam-moon-god-hubal.htm
3 - Is Allah the name of God?
http://www.letusreason.org/Islam6.htm
4 - http://answering-islam.org.uk/Index/M/moongod.html
5- The History of Kaaba
http://www.submission.org/hajj/kaaba.html
6- “8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my soon Isaac.” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12But God said to him, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.” 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. 17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.” (Gen. 21:8-21)NIV
7 – “As they pass through the Valley of Baca…” Psalms 84:1-12 (v. 6)
8 – Kaaba
http://web.presby.edu/~gramsey/Religion_310/Islam/Kaaba.html
9 – Ibn Battuta's journey into Persia
http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/Ibn_Battuta/Battuta_Two.html
10 - http://groups.msn.com/islam4all/aboutkaaba.msnw
11 – “for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13 (NIV)
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