Sorry George for not addressing this question earlier.
The Kabaa is basically a cubic building which Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ismael for the purpose of worshipping God. It is refered to as the House of Allah (God) and the recognized as the place for making pilgrimage for the sake of God.
The Kabaa is NOT imaged as God in any way, shape, or form, but rather is taken simply as a direction for Muslims to pray and supplicate to God. During the time of the prophet Muhammed, the muslims would pray in the direction of Jerusalem, specifically Masjid al Aqsa. God then revealed to the Prophet Muhammed to change his direction of prayer towards the Kabaa.
Basically regarding the Ka’baa, Muslims believe the origin of it is from the time of the Prophet Adam. He built it as the first place of worship upon the earth.
God says in the Quran:
“Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamîn (the mankind and jinns).” [3:96]
In a Prophetic saying narrated by Abu Dhar: I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Which mosque was first built on the surface of the earth?” He said, “Al-Masjid-ul-,Haram (in Mecca).” I said, “Which was built next?” He replied “The mosque of Al-Aqsa ( in Jerusalem) .” I said, “What was the period of construction between the two?” He said, “Forty years.” He added, “Wherever (you may be, and) the prayer time becomes due, perform the prayer there, for the best thing is to do so (i.e. to offer the prayers in time).” [Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 585: and also in Muslim]
So Adam established the Ka’ba as the first House of Allah, the first place where God would be worshiped alone, as God says in the Quran describing the Masjid: “And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone), so do not invoke anyone along with Allâh.” [Surah alJinn:18]
It was later on that the Prophet Ibraheem, along with his son Isma’eel, were commanded to rebuild the ka’ba. God says in the Quran: “and We commanded Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Ismaa’eel (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying, or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer)” [al-Baqarah 2:125]
Upon the completion of the rebuilding of the ka’ba, Pilgrimage to the Ka’ba was then proclaimed to mankind, as God says: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)” [al-Hajj 22:27]
Ibn Katheer, one of the great scholars of the explanation of the Quran, says in his commentary on this verse: "This means: Proclaim (O Ibraaheem) the Hajj to the people, calling them to come on pilgrimage to this House which We have commanded you to build. It was mentioned that he said, “O Lord, how can I proclaim it to the people when my voice does not reach them?” He said, “Call and We will convey it.” So he stood in his maqaam (station) – or it was said, on the rock, or on al-Safa, or on Abu Qubays (a mountain) – and said: “O people, your Lord has taken a House, so come to it on pilgrimage.” And it was said that the mountains lowered themselves so that his voice could reach all parts of the earth and those who were still in the wombs or in men’s loins also heard, and everything that heard him, cities, nomad encampments and trees, and everyone whom Allaah has decreed should perform Hajj until the Day of Resurrection responded, (saying) Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. This is the summary of what was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas, Mujaahid, ‘Ikrimah, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr and others among the salaf. And Allaah knows best. "
Al-Qurtubi, another great scholar in the explanation of the Quran, said: "Hajj was known to the Arabs. When Islam came, they were told about something they already knew and what was enjoined upon them was something they were familiar with…”
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