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"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 to Muslims is the God that they worship can not just
be talked to in any certain way. In actuality there is no personal conversations
with Allah, this is quite different than the Christians way of communicating
with God. However, for Muslims, Allah is unreachable and closest they can get
is by trekking to the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This historic structure
holds an important place 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. Muslims worship Allah who they believe as their one true
god but he is also known as the moon god Hubal and a common question is to how
Muslim’s chose the moon god over three hundred and sixty other gods that
were once worshipped in Mecca. There are different theories as to how the Kaaba
came into existence. The Kaaba despite being very historic and highly regarded
has undergone a lot of changes over the years. 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 standard Islamic
symbol which is a crescent moon. It is a known fact that Muslims rely heavily
on the moon for a number of things including important Islamic holidays such
as Ramadan (a thirty-day period of fasting). It has for centuries been an interesting
topic of understanding how exactly the moon god came to be the god chosen out
of three-hundred and sixty gods available. What was so special about this god?
Well there are a few things that can explain this decision. First of all a piece
of history that is already well known and accepted is that early Muslims did
worship a moon god named Hubal at the Kaaba.2 Hubal was considered to be the
Lord of Kaaba.2 However, he did not exceed Allah in importance but it is possible
and believed by some that Allah actually is 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 Now the reasons for this god being
chosen besides the importance it already had could have been that it was a god
already being identified with Allah, so Mohammad saw the importance and value
of this god. It is also important for Christians to understand the difference
between the god of the Muslims and the God that Christians worship. One major
difference is that Jesus taught Christians to pray “our Father in heaven”
(Matthew 6:9). Throughout the Bible God was real to the prophets who had Him
personally speak to them and they to Him.3 Whereas for Muslims discerning who
god is moon or not, there is no personal connection so it makes sense for the
moon god to be chosen something far and out of this world. However, facts are
hard to come by and hard to find in the midst of all the myths but one thing
is certain that at one time Hubal was the Lord of Kaaba and Allah was also.
“[Quran; 2:125] 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."”5
Muslims believe that Abraham actually built the Kaaba as a landmark for the
House of God (Allah) for worshipping God (Allah) alone.5 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. First of all Muslims believe that Ishmael,
not Isaac was the chosen son and that Ishmael helped Abraham build the Kaaba.
Well, from what the Bible says it is understood by Christians that Ishmael actually
left Abrahams 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. Going beyond simply showing
what the Koran has to say about it, they feel a need to 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 So for Muslims the
history of the Kaaba is supported in the Koran which is 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 changes to the Kaaba, today was is seen
would make it 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.
It is hard to comprehend why a “place” can hold so much importance
to people. For Christians who understand that this world is not their home and
that things or structures should not take an important place in their hearts
the apparent “worship” of the Kaaba by Muslims seems outlandish.
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. So this stone box-like structure draws millions to it in order
to fulfill what is supposed to ensure their place in paradise. It is a sad reality
for many who follow the religion of Islam and it should make Christians thankful
that all they have to do is 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!
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- “8The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham
held a great feast. 9But 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.” 11The 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. 13I will make the
son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
14Early 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. 15When the water
in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16Then 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. 17God
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. 18LLife 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. 20God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and
became an archer. 21While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got
a wife for him from Egypt.” (Gen. 21:8-21)
The Student Bible, NIV
Copyright © 1986, 1992, 1996 by Zondervan Publishing House
All rights reserved.
7 – “As they pass through the Valley of Baca…” Psalms
84:1-12 (v. 6)
The Student Bible, NIV
Copyright © 1986, 1992, 1996 by Zondervan Publishing House
All rights reserved.
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
The Student Bible, NIV
Copyright © 1986, 1992, 1996 by Zondervan Publishing House
All rights reserved.
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