When Was Kaaba Built?
The Kaaba, also known as the Sacred House, is a cuboid-shaped building located in the center of the mosque known as the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is considered to be the holiest site in Islam and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage known as the Hajj. The exact date of the construction of the Kaaba is not known with certainty, but there are several theories and beliefs about its history and origin.
One of the most widely accepted theories about the origin of the Kaaba is that it was originally built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a place of worship for monotheists. According to this theory, the Kaaba was built as a symbol of unity and a focal point for the worship of a single God.
Another theory is that the Kaaba was originally built by the pagan Arabs in Mecca as a shrine to the god Hubal, one of their many deities. According to this theory, the Kaaba was later re-dedicated to the worship of the one true God by the Prophet Muhammad after his conquest of Mecca.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact date of the construction of the Kaaba, it is widely accepted that the building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries. In 605 AD, the Kaaba was damaged by a fire, and it was later repaired and expanded by the Caliph Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr. The Kaaba was further expanded and renovated during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, and it has undergone several renovations and restorations in more recent times as well.
In conclusion, the exact date of the construction of the Kaaba is not known with certainty, but it is widely believed to have been built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a place of worship for monotheists, or by the pagan Arabs in Mecca as a shrine to the god Hubal. Despite the uncertainty surrounding its exact date of construction, the Kaaba is widely accepted as the holiest site in Islam and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage known as the Hajj.