Attraction Guide: Kaaba, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Kaaba Guide

The Sacred House: The Qibla of Muslims Worldwide Guide

The Kaaba, also known as the Sacred House, is a cuboid building located at the center of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It is the most sacred site in Islam and serves as the Qibla, the direction towards which Muslims pray from all over the world. The Kaaba is draped in a black cloth called the Kiswah, which is embroidered with gold thread. Its simple yet profound presence holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims. The history of the Kaaba dates back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael), who are believed to have built it as a house of worship dedicated to Allah. Over time, the Kaaba became filled with idols, which were later removed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) upon his triumphant return to Makkah. Since then, the Kaaba has remained a symbol of monotheism and the unity of the Muslim community. The primary activity associated with the Kaaba is Tawaf, the ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. This is a central part of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Touching or kissing the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), located in the eastern corner of the Kaaba, is also a common practice, though not obligatory. While there are no specific culinary traditions directly associated with the Kaaba itself, the surrounding area of Masjid al-Haram offers a wide range of dining options.