Page 238 - Signs from the Qur'an

The Hajj (pilgrimage) is a duty commanded to all
Muslims by God in the Qur'an. This most important task of
the Hajj takes place with the circling of the Kaaba (the House).
Today, the Kaaba is found in the courtyard of the Masjid

al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque). It was built according to
God's command by Prophet Abraham and his son, Prophet
Ishmael (peace be upon them).
And We located the position of the House for Abraham...
(Qur'an, 22:26)
Just as it is explained in this verse, Prophet Abraham
(pbuh) built the Kaaba in the place and in the way God com-

manded him to.
The Kaaba is a site where people can come together and
worship God. God specified that the Kaaba would be a clean
and safe site where the believers would worship.
The careful protection of the Kaaba is one of the most im-
portant duties of Muslims. Our Lord, Who commanded
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) to keep the Kaaba clean and safe for

believers, also made it clear in the Qur'an that only believers
are to protect it. In a verse from the Qur'an, God reveals that
the true protectors and guardians of the Kaaba are those who
believe:
... Only people who guard against evil can be its
guardians. But most of them do not know that. (Qur'an,
8:34)
Another important aspect of the Kaaba within the

Islamic world is that it is the direction of prayer for Muslims.
Muslims all over the world, in prayer five times a day, wor-
ship in the direction of the Kaaba.
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