Magnetic force of Kaaba! (Images)

[Pegg]

Well i am not sure how much you know about Islam but idol-worship is condemned heck the Quran is very clear that idol-worshipers will burn in hell and the Prophet Mohammed(saws) destroyed all the idols that existed in Pre Islamic Arabia. So Idol-worship or Paganism is seen as one of the greatest sins you can commit in Islam.

The Quran states that Ibrahim, together with his son Ishmael(peace be upon them), raised the foundations of the holy house.[Quran 2:127] God had shown Ibrahim(pbuh) the exact site, very near to the Well of Zamzam, where Ibrahim and Ishmael(peace be upon them) began work on the Kaaba's construction in circa 2130 B.C. After Ibrahim(pbuh) had built the Kaaba, an angel brought to him the Black Stone, a celestial stone that, according to tradition, had fallen from Heaven on the nearby hill Abu Qubays. According to a saying attributed to The Prophet Muhammad(saws), the Black Stone had "descended from Paradise whiter than milk but the sins of the sons of Adam had made it black". The Black Stone is believed to be the only remnant of the original structure made by Ibrahim(pbuh).
After the placing of the Black Stone in the Eastern corner of the Kaaba, Ibrahim(pbuh) received a revelation, in which God told the aged prophet that he should now go and proclaim the pilgrimage to mankind, so that men may come both from Arabia and from lands far away, on camel and on foot.[Quran 22:27] Going by the dates attributed to the patriarchs, Ishmael(pbuh) is believed to have been born in roughly 2150 B.C., with Isaac(pbuh) being born a hundred years later. Therefore, Islamic scholars have generally assumed that the Kaaba was constructed by Ibrahim(pbuh) around 2130 B.C. The Kaaba is, therefore, believed by Muslims to be more than a millennium older than Solomon's(pbuh) Temple in Jerusalem, which is believed to have been finished in 1007 B.C. These dates remain consistent with the Muslim belief that the Kaaba is the first and thus oldest mosque in history.
in the Samaritan literature, the Samaritan Book of the “Secrets of Moses” (Asatir) claims that Ishmael(pbuh) and his eldest son Nebaioth built the Kaaba and the city of Mecca too.

There is more information here: Kaaba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

cheers for that.

How are the dates for the patriachs determined? The bible dates are little different to the ones you've stated here, so whats the basis for determining the dates in islam?
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And also, if idol worship is not permitted, what determines worship of an idol in islam? (because to me, bowing to an idol in worship would constitute idol worship, but you dont seem to think bowing to the kaaba is worshiping it...what exactly are they doing when they bow down to it?)

 

[Gharib]

does anyone know what's inside the Kaaba?

i heard it is a piece of a meteorite??

But also, why do people pray to it? Is it a form of idol worship??

An image from inside the Ka'ba:

http://www.tohir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/inside-the-kaaba.jpg

The black stone is a part of the wall on one of the edges of the Ka'ba

The Ka'ba is a means of direction. It unifies us in our worship and is not an idol but rather a Mosque. Whether one prays inside a mosque or outside it is still just a mosque and not an object of worship.

 

[Pastek]

The Kaaba is like a temple, a direction. But for God, not for Idols.

Inside the Kaaba

[youtube]XlATSk7CvIw[/youtube]
Inside the Kabah - YouTube

 

[Pastek]

And also, if idol worship is not permitted, what determines worship of an idol in islam? (because to me, bowing to an idol in worship would constitute idol worship, but you dont seem to think bowing to the kaaba is worshiping it...what exactly are they doing when they bow down to it?)

Ask you this question : is praying in front of the wailing wall means worshipping a wall ?
Or does that means you are closest to God because it's a holy place ?
Same thing for the muslims ans the Kaaba, it's just a direction, a temple builded for God.

 

[Assad91]

.
And also, if idol worship is not permitted, what determines worship of an idol in islam? (because to me, bowing to an idol in worship would constitute idol worship, but you dont seem to think bowing to the kaaba is worshiping it...what exactly are they doing when they bow down to it?)

Well, same thing Daniel was doing when he faced Jerusalem to pray.

Daniel 6;

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 1

Now still Jews pray towards Jerusalem. They center their worship towards the Wailing Wall. This is the same for Muslisms and the Kaaba.

 

[Pegg]

Ask you this question : is praying in front of the wailing wall means worshipping a wall ?
Or does that means you are closest to God because it's a holy place ?
Same thing for the muslims ans the Kaaba, it's just a direction, a temple builded for God.

in my view, anything that becomes an object of devotion could be constituted as an idol.

so it really dependent on why people are doing it.

 

[Pastek]

in my view, anything that becomes an object of devotion could be constituted as an idol.

so it really dependent on why people are doing it.

I understand what you mean.

People are doing it because it's a good direction to pray, it's a holy place, it's were the first house/temple for God was built (by Adam), then rebuilt (by Abraham & Ismael), it's also to be all together and purified our soul, to be closest to God

Here a verse about it :

2.125 And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer.
And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf* and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."


* Tawaf : circumanbulation

 

[Rational_Mind]

The Ka’bah is the Cube Shaped Building towards which all Muslim face in their formal prayers. Millions of Muslims around the world, at least five times a day bow down in the direction of Makkah where the Ka’bah is found. Islam professes belief in a Single Omnipotent Being. There is such great emphasis on the Unity of God in Islam that idol worship is considered the only unforgivable sin. Then why, some may wonder, does it appear that Muslims pray towards a stone object?

Muslims do not worship the Ka’bah itself. Nor does any Muslim hold the Ka’bah in view during his or her prayers. The Ka’bah is a focal point for all Muslims globally. Black, white rich, poor, Asians, Africans, Europeans and people from the Americas; all point towards a single direction as a symbol of the Unity of God unique in all world faiths. Islam is a religion that aims at bringing about a society of peace, love and unity. The Unity of God and also the unity of man are pre-eminently stressed. God being One also desires for mankind to be united as one in worship to Him. Unity, peace and love are elements that are demonstrated at every level of Islamic society. Five times a day Muslims display this unity where Muslims are enjoined to line up together in prayers. Whether rich, poor, of high status or one deprived, all stand together equal, shoulder to shoulder regardless of colour, caste or creed in Prayer towards Makkah. By gathering five times a day for the same purpose, it gives the opportunity for people from all walks of life to become acquainted with one another and thus unite as a society. However, as it is difficult for all Muslims in a town or city to gather together five times a day in the same mosque, Islam enjoins that Muslims are enjoined to attend the Friday Prayers once every week and to come into contact with a wider scope of people.

But as even in the Friday Prayers, not everyone within the city or near-by areas can gather, Islam has appointed two days in the year, ‘Eid ul Fitr and ‘Eid ul Adha, for people in the country to gather together and perform prayers, normally in an open area, to allow a greater amount of Muslims to unite. Finally, Islam has ordained that once in their lives, Muslims from everywhere in the world should gather at Makkah for Hajj, the Pilgrimage to meet their brothers and sisters from every country, tribe, nation and race in a demonstration of global equality, that they may foster mutual goodwill, peace and love. Hadhrat Abdur Raheem Dard(ra)’s brilliant article, ‘Eid ul Fitr, re-published in our September 2009 Edition explains this concept in detail. Our feature article in this edition, Hajj, Pilgrimage to the House of God, provides a fascinating insight to the Great Pilgrimage to Makkah, through which Muslims display the Ultimate Unity of mankind.

Ultimate Unity, Review of Religions, November 2011

The Holy Quran itself has made it clear that the direction itself has no significance. The only significance is the unity in that believers face the direction God has chosen. Below are verses relating to when the Qibla was changed. To get the deeper understanding of why it was done, I would refer you to the Commentary as I don't think I could explain it any better. In fact I don't think anyone could explain it better than done there. Commentary


[2:143] The foolish among the people will say: ‘What has turned them away from their Qiblah which they followed?’ Say: ‘To Allah belong the East and the West. He guides whom He pleases to the right path.’

[2:144] And thus have We made you an exalted nation, that you may be guardians over men, and the Messenger of God may be a guardian over you. And We did not appoint the Qiblah which thou didst follow, except that We might know him who follows the Messenger of God from him who turns upon his heels. And this is indeed hard, except for those whom Allah has guided. And it does not behove Allah to let your faith go in vain; surely, Allah is Compassionate and Merciful to the people.

[2:145] Verily, We see thee turning thy face often to heaven; surely, then, will We make thee turn to the Qiblah which thou likest. So, turn thy face towards the Sacred Mosque; and wherever you be, turn your faces towards it. And they to whom the Book has been given know that this is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not unmindful of what they do.

Here is another conclusive verse that states direction itself has no significance, it shows that we should look towards the spirit, which is in the unity of everyone regardless they are rich or poor, of this nation or another, white or black, ....

[2:178] It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfil their promise when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and the steadfast in time of war; it is these who have proved truthful and it is these who are the God-fearing.

For a better, possibly the best explanation: Commentary.

 

[Treks]

Just out of curiosity, are women allowed inside the Kaaba?

 

[Rational_Mind]

Just out of curiosity, are women allowed inside the Kaaba?

Kaaba is a mosque. Yes, women are allowed inside. If anyone says otherwise, ask them to show from the Quran.

 

[Treks]

Kaaba is a mosque. Yes, women are allowed inside. If anyone says otherwise, ask them to show from the Quran.

Cool Thanks

 

[F0uad]

cheers for that.

How are the dates for the patriachs determined? The bible dates are little different to the ones you've stated here, so whats the basis for determining the dates in islam?
.
And also, if idol worship is not permitted, what determines worship of an idol in islam? (because to me, bowing to an idol in worship would constitute idol worship, but you dont seem to think bowing to the kaaba is worshiping it...what exactly are they doing when they bow down to it?)

Well a stone has no form so its no idol (at-least technically speaking) but if you belief that the stone is a god or the god then it can also be called idol-worship. We are not bowing down to the stone we are bowing down to Allah(swt) the stone has no signification except for the direction. Lets say the wind blows some leafs in-front of me when i pray does that mean i am praying to those leafs? What if i prayed before a wall or a car does that mean i worship that wall or car? Its just a compass to which direction to pray.