In Islam, no place is more sacred to Muslims than the Kaaba. It doesn’t matter from which part of the world Muslims pray. They face the Kaaba. It is the direction of the prayer known as Qibla. The Kaaba holds great significance during the pilgrimage as well. Every pilgrim who visits Makkah dreams of seeing the holy Kaaba with their own eyes. Are you planning to go for Umrah with your family this year? Get Umrah packages from a trusted agency, like Muslims Holy Travel, to make your journey as smooth as possible. When you look at the Kaaba, you will find a big cube-shaped structure covered with a black cloth. As a pilgrim, you must know every single aspect of the Kaaba. This blog delves you into the sacred measurements of the holy Kaaba.
The Size of the Kaaba
The Kaaba looks like a cube, but it is more like a tall box. It is made from grey stone and is covered with a black cloth known as the Kiswah on which Quranic words are stitched. When it comes to the size of this divine place, it is up to 13.1 meters high. One side is over 11 meters long, while the other one is about 12.6 meters. It looks so strong and beautiful. There are four corners of the Kaaba, including Iraqi Corner, Black Stone Corner, Levant Corner, and Yemeni Corner. Each one of these has a specific name. The door of the holy Kaaba is golden in color and is 2 meters high and up to 1 meter wide. It is no more than 2.13 meters above the floor. On top of that, you will see white marble all around the walls of the holy Kaaba. Only special people like the keeper of the Kaaba or the King of Saudi Arabia are allowed to go inside.
A Look Inside the Holy Kaaba
The space inside the Kaaba is simple. It has three wooden pillars to firmly hold up the roof of the Kaaba. These pillars are 4.5 meters apart, and they all stand in a row. There is a small table in the middle where special items, including perfumes, are kept. Not only this, but there are lamps as well hanging from above to give light. The inside of the Kaaba has a smooth floor which is made up of shiny marble. It has two roofs; one on the outside and one on the inside. The space inside feels so peaceful. Each year, millions of Muslims gather at this sacred site to do Umrah and Hajj. If you also want to do the pilgrimage in the coming days, get All Inclusive Umrah Packages for a hassle-free trip. Having everything in place, you can focus fully on worship.
The Hijr Ismail
Next to the sacred Kaaba, you will see a half-circle white wall. This specific area is called Hijr Ismail or Hatim. The distance between the Kaaba and the half-circle wall is 2.2 meters. When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) built the holy Kaaba, he didn’t have enough materials to construct the whole area. So, this part was left out. That is the reason many pilgrims pray inside this area.
The Black Stone
The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) is the most popular part of the Kaaba and is placed in the eastern corner. It is about 1.5 meters above the ground and is surrounded by a silver frame. Muslims try to touch this stone or kiss it when they do Tawaf. In case pilgrims can’t reach the stone, they point to it each time they pass. This stone is believed to be from Paradise (Jannah).
The Kiswa
The holy Kaaba is covered with a black-colored cloth, which is called Kiswa. It is 14 meters tall and weighs 1,500 pounds (670 kilograms). Adding more to this, it is changed every year on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah right before the Hajj is performed. The cloth is made of silk fabric. Not only this, but you will also see Quranic verses written in silver and gold thread on the Kiswa.
The Gutter of the Kaaba
On the roof of the Kaaba, there is a golden-colored pipe, which is called the Gutter of Mercy or also Mizab al-Rahmah. When it rains in Makkah, water flows from the roof of the holy Kaaba through this pipe. The pipe is no more than 1.75 meters long and is made of pure gold. During the pilgrimage, Muslims often stand under it and pray, believing their prayers are accepted.
The Area Around the Kaaba
Are you about to do the Umrah with your loved ones? Get Cheap Family Umrah Packages to end up with a great pilgrimage experience. As a pilgrim, you must be aware of the measurements of the Kaaba. Mataf is the white marble area that you will see around the Kaaba, where thousands of pilgrims do Tawaf. It can accommodate a large number of people walking at the same time.
The Maqam Ibrahim
Once Tawaf is completed, believers pray behind the sacred Maqam Ibrahim. It is the golden glass case inside of which has the footprint of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). This glass case is no more than 1.3 meters in height. The miracle stone inside is up to 15 inches (40 cm) long. Many pilgrims stop to pray two Rakaat of prayer here after Tawaf. This is a peaceful spot to pray.
In A Crux
The Kaaba is not an ordinary building; it is the heart of every Muslim across the globe. It is the dream of all believers to go here and do the pilgrimage. Each part of the holy Kaaba tells a story as discussed above. If it is your first time pilgrimage, get Umrah packages for a smooth trip.