Ka`bah and Its Vicinity

Among all the creatures of the universe, be they merely physical or spiritual, and even creatures that are a combination of physicality and spirituality, there are the best ones.

The reason for superiority of each of these three groups is selection by Allah, His spiritual favor, the capacity of creature, perfect faith, the praiseworthy deed or other reasons which are unknown to us. To give further explanation of the issue, we sill give examples from the best of these three groups.

The Best Places

In the Holy Qur’¡n and narrations, certain places and pieces of lands have been mentioned as having special value to Allah on account of His Mercy and favor or because of performance of certain religious rituals therein. Desecration of such places is unlawful for all.

Ka`bah and Its Vicinity

The piece of land on which the Ka`bah lies was chosen by Allah. This choice has given it both dignity and superiority making it distinct among all other places. Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) has been reported as saying:

إنَّ اللهَ اِخْتَارَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَيْئاً وَاخْتَارَ مِنَ الأرْضِ مَوْضِعَ الْكَعْبَةِ.

Allah has chosen one thing from among all things and has chosen the Ka`bah from among all places on the earth.[1]

Ka`bah was the first House to be built on the earth, in a blessed and bounteous city for the guidance of the people of the world. Clear signs of spirituality and the station of Prophet Abraham were placed there. Whoever enters that place will be secure:

ﮖ ﮗ ﮘ ﮙ ﮚ ﮛ ﮜ ﮝ ﮞ ﮟ ﮠ ﮡ ﮢ ﮣ ﮤ ﮥﮦ ﮧ ﮨ ﮩ ﮪ.

Most surely, the first house appointed for men is the one at Bekka, blessed and guidance for the nations. In it are clear signs, the standing-place of Ibr¡h¢m, and whoever enters it shall be secure. (3:96-97)

Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) has said:

مَنْ أتَى الكَعْبَةَ فَعَرَفَ مِنْ حَقِّهَا وَحُرْمَتِهَا لَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إلأ وَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَهُ وَكَفَاهُ اللهُ مَا يُهِمُّهُ مِنْ أمْرِ دُنْيَاهُ وَآخِرَتِهِ.

Whoever comes to the Ka`bah and recognizes part of its holiness, his sins will be forgiven by Allah Who is sufficient for his affairs in this world and the Hereafter.[2]