|
What
is Kaaba :
The
Kaaba is a building located inside
the masjid known as Al-Masjidu'l-Haram
in Mecca. The masjid was built around
the original Kaaba. The Kaaba is the
holiest place in Islam. Muslims throughout
the world face the Kaaba during their
prayers.
The
Kaaba is a large masonry structure
roughly the shape of a cube. (The
name Kaaba comes from the Arabic word
meaning "cube"). It is made of granite
from the hills near Mecca. The most
current dimensions for the structure
are: 15 m high (49') with sides measuring
10.5 m (34') by 12 m (39'). It is
covered by a black silk cloth decorated
with gold-embroidered calligraphy.
This cloth is known as the kiswah;
it is replaced yearly.
Inside
the Kaaba :
There
are three pillars inside |
There
is a small table on the side to
put items like perfume and incense
burners. |
There are two lantern-type lamps
hanging from a cross beam near
the ceiling |
There
are no electric lights inside
|
The
interior walls are clad with marble
half-way to the roof. |
The
entire floor is of marble except
for a small portion which is called
"Rukhamat Humra". |
Tablets
with Qur'anic inscriptions are
inset in the marble. |
The
top part of the walls is covered
with a green cloth decorated with
gold embroidered Qur'anic verses.
|
There are no windows inside |
There
is only one door |
The
space can accommodate about 50
people |
In
the corner called "Ar Rukne Yemeni"
there is a place called "Mustajar"
from where Fatema Binte Asad had entered
to deliver Ali (AS) inside The Kaaba.
Ali was, apart from being technically
Prophet Mohammed (SA)'s cousin, he
was his foster, son-in-law, constant
companion and his appointed successor,
which is refuted by majority of Muslims.
Prophet Mohammed had inserted a silver
nail on the red stone to mark Ali's
birthplace; the spot is known as "Rukhamat
Hamra". This is inside Kaa'bah.
Significants
of Kiswa (Kaaba's Pardah) :
"KAABA,
the house of ALAAH in MEKKAH is covered
by a black cloth called "KISWA" which
is produced by and chnaged every year
disinged by a special factory in MEKKAH.
Costs
approximately US $ 17 MILLION.
The
cloth is made of 670 kgs of SILVER
and dyed BLACK. About 129 kgs. of
PURE GLOD and 50 kgs. of SILVER used
in writing the QURANIC VERSES over
the cloth.
Total
area of the cloth is 658 sq. meters. |
