The Kaaba is located at the center of the Al-Masjid Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba described in the Qur’an as being built by Abraham, is the most sacred site in the Islamic world. When Muslims perform Salat (prayer) they are expected to face towards the Kaaba. Tawaf (the circulation of the Kaaba) as part of the Hajj is performed by over one million Muslims every year. Before the birth of Islam, the Kaaba was filled with hundreds of Idols representing Arabian tribal gods. After Mohammed and the Medinians defeated the Meccans in a series of battles, Mohammed had the idols removed and rededicated the site as a place of worship.
One of the most distinguishable features of the Kaaba is the sitara or curtain that covers the Kaaba door. A New curtain is placed on the Kaaba every year. The curtain is made of pure silk dyed black and embroidered with threads of pure silver and gold. Because of the heavy metals used, the curtain weighs almost 1,500 pounds.
Quranic Verses on the Sitara of the Kaaba:
The Cow (Al-Baqarah)
“Many a time We have seen you [Prophet] turn your face towards Heaven, so We are turning you towards a prayer direction that pleases you. Turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces to it. Those who were given the scripture know with certainty that this is the Truth from their Lord: God is not unaware of what they do.” (2:144)
“God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful. Neither slumber for sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by his leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous. There is no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break. God is all hearing and all knowing.” (2:255-256)
The Family of ‘Imran (Al-‘Imran)
“Hurry towards your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth prepared for the righteous,” (3:133)
Light (Al-Nur)
“God is the light of the heavens and earth. His Light is like this: there is a niche, and in it a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, a glass like a glittering star, fuelled from a blessed olive tree from neither east nor west, whose oil almost gives light even when no fire touches it- light upon light- God guides whoever He will to his Light; God draws such comparisons for people; God has full knowledge of everything-“ (24:35)
Triumph (Al-Fath)
“God has truly fulfilled His Messenger’s vision: ‘God willing, you will most certainly enter the Sacred Mosque is safety, shaven headed, or with cropped hair, without fear!- God knew what you did not- and He has granted you a speedy triumph.” (48:27)
“Muhammad is the messenger of God. Those who follow him are harsh towards the disbelievers and compassionate towards each other. You see them, kneeling and prostrating, seeking God’s bounty and His good pleasure: on their faces they bear the marks of their prostrations. This is how they are pictured in the Torah and the Gospel: like a seed that puts forth its shoot, becomes strong, grows thick, and rises on its stem to the delight of its sowers. So God infuriates the disbelievers through them; God promises forgiveness and a great reward to those who believe and do righteous deeds.” (48:29)
Purity [Of Faith] (Al-Ikhlas)
“In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy Say, He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him.” (112:1)
The Throngs (Al-Zumar)
“Say, ‘[God says], My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own excess, do not despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (39:53)
Quraysh
“In the Name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. [He did this] to make the Quraysh feel secure, secure in their winter and summer journeys. So let them worship the Lord of this House: who provides them with food to ward off hunger, safety to ward off fear.” (106:1)
THE REVELATION IN ARCHITECTURE 