INSIDE THE SACRED HOUSE
The Ka’abah has three wooden pillars supporting the roof, each being 44cm in diameter. The pillars stand 2.35m apart. Directly in front of the door is a Mihrab, supposedly marking the place where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed Salat. It is reported that when Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu anhu entered the Ka’abah he walked straight ahead and standing approximately three arms’ (1.5m) from the opposite wall he offered Salat with his back to the door. Did this as he had been informed by Bilal RadhiAllahu anhu that this was where our Esteemed Nabi SallAllahu laihi wasallam performed Salat.
To the right of the door is a staircase leading to the roof, with a door covered in a curtain. This door is known as Babut Taubah, the Door of Repentance.
The interior walls are lined with a greenish coloured marble (seen in this photo of the King exiting the inside with other dignitaries, including the Pakistani President) with inscriptions and engravings. The green curtains draped over the roof and the upper section of the walls is changed every three to five years. Unlike the Kiswah outside being subject to the blessed dust, rain and intense heat, the interior curtains are protected. The first of these curtains were manufactured in Makkah in the year 1403 AH.
The Shahadah, along with the following verses from the Qur’an Majid are woven into the pattern, along with and glorification to Allah Ta’ala:
La ilaha illa Allah Muhammadur RasuluLlah.
Indeed the first House to be established for mankind was the one at Bakkah (Makkah). It is a blessed place, a source of guidance for the universe.(3: 96)
Verily we see you (O Muhammad) frequently lifting your gaze towards the sky. We will most assuredly turn you towards a Qibla that pleases you. So turn your face towards the Masjid Haram. (2:144)
Ya Hannan Ya Mannan Ya Dhul Jalaali wal Ikraam.
Also inside is a large chest, seen in the first photo used for placing gifts to the Ka’abah, I imagine perfume being the main item. Various perfumes are used for the various features, one for the Black Stone, one used to oil the Yemeni corner, one for the Kiswah, and supposedly rose for the interior, And Allah the Almighty knows best. The more reputable perfume shops sell these various perfumes. The authentic ones are highly expensive. Cheaper versions are also available.
Decorative lamps hang from the ceiling. A tempered glass sky light 1.27m x 1.4m allows the natural light to enter. This is removed when the Ka’abah is washed and when they change the Kiswah.
The entrance door is approximately 2.25m above the Mataaf, hence the need for the elaborate moveable set of wooden steps when the dignitaries are invited for the special occasions inside. The interior holds about 50 men. Women are not permitted inside.
Ibn Jubayr in his Travels relays:
“The inside of the blessed House is overlaid with variegated marbles. (The ceiling) is sustained by three teak pillars of great height, four paces apart, and punctuating the length of the House, and down its middle. One of these columns, the first, faces the centre of the side enclosed by the two Yemen corners, and is three paces distant from it. The third column, the last, faces the side enclosed by the Iraq and Syrian corners.
The whole circuit of the upper half of the House is plated with silver, thickly gilt, which the beholder would imagine, from its thickness, to be a sheet of gold. It encompasses the four sides and covers the upper half of the walls, The ceiling of the House is covered by a veil of coloured silk.”
During the times of Ibn Jubayr the Door to the inside was open from Fajr every Monday and Friday, allowing the brothers to enter, while in the month of Rajab it was open every day. I am not sure when it was decided that it was to be closed to the general Mu’minoon.
JazakumuLlahu khairan to Brother Mohamed for sharing the image taken inside the Sacred House, which appears on various sites on the net.
Insha’Allah we plan to go to Makkah tomorrow for Umrah. May the Master Planner have planned likewise. You and yours will be in my Du’a.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
assalumu alykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
please remember us in your dua, especially this faqir
Comment by faqir — October 25, 2007 @ 4:16 am
Assalamu alaikum, Alhumdulillah dear Faqir, that Allah Ta’ala is the All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Hearing and will more than comprehend which Faqir I am making Du’a for!
)) and who are the countless readers, some know by name, others by a red dot on the cluster map. May He enrich us all, plant peace in our hearts, grant the Ummah Taufiq, correct our deeds, welcome us all to His Garden and bless us with His Vision and a nearness to His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam at the Kawthar, Ameen Ameen Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — October 25, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Alhamdulillah! Please include this worthless darvish in your duas, dearest Sister. The blessing of your post will stay with me today, and the happy thought that you will be in the Holy City tomorrow. May Allah guide your journey, and ease your safe return. Ameen.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — October 25, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
What a beautiful post! Jazakiallah Khair dear sister. May this weekends Umrah be one of many more to come Inshallah.
Comment by ikramuddin — October 26, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Excellent post. Insha-Allah, I will share it with my family and friends.
Your duas please and my salam to Sayyidi Nabi Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم).
Wassalam.
Comment by Qushayri — October 28, 2007 @ 8:14 am
Assalamu alaikum
Remembered you all, many times and in many places..now back to this Radiant Madinah al-Munawwarah….where your names and the ‘dots’ will continue to be mentioned, May all supplications be accepted, Ameen….Insha’Allah keep this needy speck in your Du’a too.
Alhumdulillah for our Islam…truly such a gift beyond all that this world contains, may we all treasure being of the Ummah of our Blessed Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in all circumstances and all conditions, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — October 28, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
I have a qeustion which either yourself or someone else maybe able to answer, I’ve never
before been able to find pictures of the interior of the Ka’abah and was curious as it
appears the interior has been renovated extensively and during different periods possibly.
But does there exist any original section of the interior and where is the sacred stone/
metorite kept? Is there a upper chamber?
Comment by Michael — December 8, 2007 @ 1:58 am
Assalamu alaikum Michael, apologies for forgetting to answer this comment…not having been inside the Blessed House, and only relying on what photos have been taken , reading accounts and listening to what others have said about the interior, it appears that there is no upper chamber, and that the design is rather elaborate compared to the simple austere exterior. The sacred stone, the Black Stone is contained within a huge silver frame set in one corner of the cube structure visible from the outside, a photo in previous posts and many available if you do a google image search.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — December 12, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Alhamdulillah, l have the opportunity to see and know the picture and the history of KAABA
Comment by Mohamed Shukor — February 15, 2008 @ 5:16 am
Assalamu alaikum Dear Brother Mohamed Shukor, Insha’Allah an invitation to see the Honourable House has been written for you, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 27, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
I am really great to see this picture and all picture on this website Subhan Allah. Remember me in your Payers Syed Irfan Ali
Comment by Syed Irfan Ali — October 10, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Assalamu alaikum Dear Syed Irfan Ali, I have added your name to the ever growing list, Alhumdulillah. Please make Du’a that I am given Tawfiq to continue with more regular updates, Insha’Allah.
Wassalamu alaikum
Comment by almiskeenah — October 11, 2008 @ 7:33 pm