Jakarta –
The Kaaba is the benchmark for the Qibla direction for Muslims around the world when performing prayers. The Kaaba has a long history and interesting facts.
The Kaaba is a special building for Muslims. In the Qur’an there are several letters that mention the Kaaba. Like surah Ali Imran verse 96 and surah Al-Maidah verse 97. Allah SWT said:
Ali’s letter Imran verse 96
Indeed, the first house set up for the people was the one in Bakkah, blessed and a guidance for the learned.
Arabic-Latin: The words of the mother of the moon in the sky
Meaning: Verily, the first house built for (place of worship) for humans, is the House of God in Bakkah (Mecca) which is blessed and becomes a guide for all humans.
Surat Al-Ma’idah Verses 97
۞ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَعْبَةَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ قِيَٰمًا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَٱلْهَدْىَ وَٱلْقَلَٰٓئِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Arabic-Latin: Ja’alallāhul-ka’batal-baital-ḥarāma qiyāmal lin-nāsi wasy-syahral-ḥarāma wal-hadya wal-qalā`id, żālika lita’lamū annallāha ya’lamu mā fis-samāwāti wa mā fil-arḍi wa annallāha bikulli sya`in ‘alīm
Meaning: God has made the Ka’bah, the holy house, the center (of worship and worldly affairs) for humans, and (as well) the Haram month, had-ya, qalaid. (Allah made that) so that you may know that indeed Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and that indeed Allah is All-Knowing of all things.
Interesting Facts about the Kaaba
Quoting the book 1001 Amazing Facts about the City of Mecca’s Miracles by Asima Nur Salsabila, several facts about the Kaaba are mentioned. Here are interesting facts about the building which is also called Baitul Atiq or the House of Independence.
1. The shape and size of the Kaaba
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building whose walls are made of bluish stones. These rocks come from the mountains around Mecca.
The foundation of the Kaaba has a solid structure and is made of marble with a thickness of about 25 cm. The following details the size of the Kaaba:
Whole wall height: 15.00 meters
North wall width: 10.02 meters
West wall width: 11.58 meters
South wall width: 10.13 meters
East wall width: 10.22 meters
2. Kiswa Kaaba
The Kaaba is surrounded by a mosquito net or black cloth. This cloth is known as Kiswah Kaaba.
Previously, the kiswah of the Kaaba was not black. Previously the kiswah was green, red and also white. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia then maintained the black color because it was durable and did not get dirty easily if the congregation touched it.
The Kiswa of the Kaaba is replaced every year. In Saudi Arabia there is a special factory that produces the Kiswa of the Kaaba. There, the workers embroidered gold thread filled with calligraphy that decorated the Kiswa of the Kaaba.
3. Kaaba door
The Kaaba has two doors and one window. One door is used as a way to enter, while the other door is used as an exit.
Even though it has a door, not everyone can enter the Kaaba. The door to the Kaaba is only opened twice a year. Besides the door, the Kaaba also has one window on the side.
4. Key to the Kaaba
Launching the NU website, Friday (24/2/2023) the Kaaba had a key which was then held by Uthman bin Talhah and then passed the key to the Kaaba to his brother, Syaibah.
This trust comes directly from the Prophet SAW who handed over the keys of the Kaaba to Uthman bin Talhah. The Prophet said: “This is your key O Uthman. Today is the day of virtue and loyalty, take this (O Uthman and your descendants) forever and ever, no one will take it from you except the oppressor or the oppressor.”
Until today, the keys to the Kaaba are held by the descendants of Bani Syaibah. To this day, the descendants of Bani Syaibah are responsible for taking care of the Kaaba, including opening and closing it, cleaning and washing it, as well as taking care of the Kiswah or casing.
Those are some interesting facts about the Kaaba, a special place that is the destination of all Muslims in the world. Hopefully it can add insight as well as add faith to always do all the commands and stay away from the prohibitions of Allah SWT.
Watch Video “Seeing the New Kiswah of the Kaaba Worth IDR 99 Billion“
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