<b>The History Of Kabah</b>
“Indeed the first house designated for man (as a direction to worship Allah) was the one at Bakkah which is blessed and a guidance for the universe.” (Al Imran, Verse 96)
As a Muslim there is no need to elaborate on the importance and the sacredness of “Al Kabah”. A house so blessed that merely gazing at its 4 walls earns one 20 blessings, and so revered that an identical house parallel to it exists in the very heavens.
The Prophet (SAW) said about his ascension to the seventh heaven that I was taken to “Al Bait Ul ma‟moor” it is visited everyday by seventy thousand angels who will not come back to visit it again” (Bukhari/Muslim)
Not only is the house it self sacred but that very plot is the origin of land on earth
Ka‟ab Ah‟bar states, “There were foams and bubbles on water before the formation of land, at the place where there is „Baitullah‟ today. The land was spread from here.” (Ibn Katheer)
Though Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is known as the founder and craftsman of the Kabah, the sacred house existed well before the advent of mankind, erected by the angels and was then reconstructed by none other than Hazrat Adam (AS). Allah raised his beloved house at the time of Nuh‟s (AS) Deluge and nothing but the Heavenly inspired foundations remained, cloaked by the sands of time before Allah ordered Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismaeel (AS) to raise the Kabah on those very foundations.
It was this very structure which was preserved throughout the centuries by the Amaaliqa, Jurhum and early Qurashi tribes who had become the inhabitants of the desolate desert in the vicinity of the Kabah.
It was only 18 years prior to the Hijrah when the leaders of the Quraish found a need to entirely reconstruct the sacred house. The new design had to address the prevailing security issues (treasures had been stolen from inside the Kabah), and structural issues (Rain and flood water would accumulate in and around the Kabah causing serious wall damage) and when all things considered according to historians the sacred house had been standing for over 3000 years.
The Quraish began by raising funds for the proposal.
It was universally agreed that only pure and lawful money would be used for the construction. This is how Allah ensured that his beloved house would only be erected through pure means.
When the time finally came to demolish the existing structure, their hearts betrayed them and they stood transfixed. Who would have the nerve to tear down their most beloved and sacred monument.
Finally Waleed bin Mugairah stepped forward saying “O Allah, we have nothing but good intentions” and began the process. The Quraish watched in awe and total fear. They decided to see whether Waleed would be struck down by some heavenly calamity. When Waleed returned the next morning safe and sound there doubts were swept away and they collectively joined in the work.
The new Kabah was distinctively dissimilar to the Kabah of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Firstly the walls of the Kabah were raised twofold, a roof was included, the second door on the western side was sealed off and the eastern door was raised in order to allow the Quraish to control access into the Kabah. And the most important change was due to a lack of funds an area of 3 meters could not be included in the construction and was marked out by a low semi-circular wall known to us as the Hateem.
Abdullah Ibn Zubayr (RA) said, "I heard Aisha (RA) say, The Prophet (SAW) said: "If your people had not quite recently abandoned the Ignorance (Unbelief), and if I had sufficient provisions to rebuild it [the Kabah], I would have added five cubits to it from the Hijr (Hateem). Also, I would make two doors; one for people to enter therein and the other to exit." (Bukhari).
In 64 Hijri Ibn Zubayr decided to construct the Kabah the way Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wanted it, on the foundation and model of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Ibn Zubayr said, "Today, I can afford to do so and I do not fear the people. Ibn Zubayr built the Kabah on Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) foundation and therefore the Hateem area was included. He also included two doors, one facing the east the other facing the west, both at ground level allowing through access.
During the reign of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, Al-Hajjaj bin Yusuf al-Thaqafi, besieged Makkah and ultimately martyred Ibn Zubayr. Then with the Caliph‟s approval demolished what Ibn Zubayr had added to it from the older foundation of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), and restored its old structure as the Quraish had built it.
It was only whilst on Umra when the Caliph heard the Hadeeth of Aisha (RA) that he deeply regretted his actions.
Caliph Harun al Rasheed wanted to rebuild the Kabah the way Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wanted and the way Abdullah Ibn Zubayr built it. But when he consulted Imam Malik, the Imam implored the Caliph to reconsider in order that the Kabah does not become a plaything for the future leaders (each one constructing it to his own preference).
The Caliph agreed and though the Kabah has been reconstructed twice since, the Kabah designed by the Quraish has remained and will remain so through divine protection on this earth as long as there are those to face it.