8. MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KA’BAH ?

Question:
When Islam is against idol worship, why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Ka’bah in their prayer?
Answer:
Ka’bah is the Qiblah i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Ka’bah during prayers, they do not worship the Ka’bah. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 144:

قَد نَرى تَقَلُّبَ وَجهِكَ فِي السَّماءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبلَةً تَرضاها فَوَلِّ وَجهَكَ شَطرَ المَسجِدِ الحَرامِ وَحَيثُ ما كُنتُم فَوَلّوا وُجوهَكُم شَطرَهُ وَإِنَّ الَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتابَ لَيَعلَمونَ أَنَّهُ الحَقُّ مِن رَبِّهِم وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغافِلٍ عَمّا يَعمَلونَ

[سورة البقرة : 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…”

 

1. 1. Islam believes in 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 Ka’bah. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Ka’bah they face the east and if they live towards the east of the Ka’bah they face the west. Similarly if some Muslims live towards the north of the Ka’bah they face the south and if they live towards the south of the Ka’bah they face the north.

1. 1. Ka’bah 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 Ka’bah was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Ka’bah is at the centre of the world map.

1. 1. Tawaaf around the Ka’bah is for indicating one God
      When the Muslims go to Masjid Al Haram in Makkah, they perform the tawaaf or circumambulation round the Ka’bah. 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.

1. 1. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
      Regarding the black stone, hajr al aswad, there is a hadith, attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Umar (may Allah bepleased with him).
      According to Sahih Al Bukhari, Volume 2, Book of Hajj, Chapter 50, Hadith No. 1597:
      Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “No doubt 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.”

1. 1. People stood on the Ka’bah and gave the adhaan
      At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Ka’bah and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Ka’bah, which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?