The Holy Kaaba, located in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is situated at the geographical center of the Earth. It was built approximately five thousand years ago by the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). His son, Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), assisted him in the construction. Both of them were chosen prophets of God.
The Divine Command and the Miracle of Zamzam
In accordance with Allah’s command, Mother Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) was living entirely alone with her infant son in the deserted, uninhabited valley of the Kaaba. During this testing time, Angel Jibril (Gabriel, peace be upon him) struck the ground with his wing, and the Zamzam spring instantly gushed forth.
According to a Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, Angel Jibril reassured Hajar at that moment, saying:
“Do not fear that you will be neglected and perish. For right here stands the House of Allah, which will be built by this child and his father. Indeed, Allah never abandons His people.”
The companion Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“May Allah have mercy on the mother of Ismail (Hajar)! If she had left the Zamzam water to flow naturally (without building a barrier around it), it would have become a flowing river spanning the earth.”
While the water was gushing out, Mother Hajar drank from it and nursed her child, Ismail. At that time, the Kaaba had not yet been built; it was merely a mound rising above the ground, and rainwater would naturally flow down to its right and left. Mother Hajar continued to live there peacefully with her child.
The Arrival of the Jurhum Tribe
Eventually, a caravan from the Jurhum tribe of Yemen passed through the area. They entered through the mountain pass of ‘Kada’ and camped at the lower part of Mecca. They noticed a bird circling in the sky and thought:
“This bird must be circling over water. We have passed through this valley many times before, and there was never any water here.”
To investigate, they sent a messenger who discovered the Zamzam spring. Upon receiving the news, the tribe approached Mother Hajar and asked, “Will you permit us to settle here with you?”
Hajar replied, “Yes, you may stay, but you will have no ownership rights over the water.” They agreed to her condition and settled there. Soon, they sent for their relatives to join them, and several households were established in Mecca.
Prophet Ismail’s Youth and Marriage
As Ismail grew up among the Jurhum tribe, he learned Arabic from them and became deeply loved by the community. When he reached maturity, they married him to a woman from their tribe. By this time, Mother Hajar had passed away.
Prophet Ibrahim’s First Visit: The Story of the Doorstep
After Ismail’s marriage, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) returned to Mecca to check on the family he had left behind. Ismail was not at home, as he had gone out to hunt and earn a livelihood. Ibrahim asked Ismail’s wife about him, and she replied, “He has gone out to seek provision for us.”
When Ibrahim inquired about their life and financial condition, she complained bitterly, saying:
“We are in a miserable state, suffering from severe hardship and poverty.”
Before leaving, Ibrahim told her:
“When your husband returns, convey my greetings (Salam) to him and tell him to change the doorstep of his house.”
When Ismail returned, he sensed an unusual presence from the fragrance left behind. He asked his wife, “Did anyone visit you?” She replied that an elderly man had visited and asked about their livelihood, adding, “I told him we are in great distress.”
Ismail asked, “Did he leave any message?” She replied, “Yes, he told me to convey his Salam to you and to tell you to change the doorstep of your house.”
Ismail then explained:
“That was my father. He has commanded me to divorce you. Return to your family.”
Ismail divorced her and later married another woman from the Jurhum tribe.
Prophet Ibrahim’s Second Visit: The Steadfast Doorstep
Prophet Ibrahim stayed away for as long as Allah willed, then came to visit again. Once more, Ismail was away from home. Ibrahim asked the new wife about Ismail, and she replied that he had gone out to earn a living. When asked about their well-being, she praised Allah, saying:
“We are doing well, happy, and live in prosperity.”
When Ibrahim asked what they ate and drank, she replied, “Meat and water.”
Prophet Ibrahim then prayed:
“O Allah! Bless them in their meat and water.”
(Prophet Muhammad ﷺ noted that they did not have grain at that time; otherwise, Ibrahim would have prayed for blessings in grain as well).
Ibrahim then left a message:
“When your husband returns, give him my Salam and tell him to keep and confirm the doorstep of his house.”
When Ismail returned and asked about visitors, his wife praised the beautiful, dignified appearance of the elderly man and relayed his message. Ismail smiled and said:
“That was my father, and you are the doorstep! He has commanded me to keep you as my wife.”
The Construction of the Kaaba
After another long period, Prophet Ibrahim returned to Mecca. He found Ismail under a large tree near the Zamzam well, sharpening his arrows. Upon seeing each other, the father and son embraced with the profound affection of a long-awaited reunion.
Ibrahim said, “O Ismail! Allah has given me a command.” Ismail replied, “O my father! Do whatever your Lord has commanded you.” Ibrahim asked, “Will you help me fulfill it?” Ismail answered, “I am ready to help you.”
Ibrahim then pointed to a high mound rising above the surrounding area and said, “Allah has commanded me to build a House for Him right here.”
Together, they began raising the foundations of the Kaaba. Ismail brought the stones, and Ibrahim laid them. As the walls grew too high to reach, Ismail brought a specific stone—now known as Maqam Ibrahim—for his father to stand on. Ibrahim stood on the stone to continue building while Ismail kept handing him materials. Upon completing the structure, they circumambulated (performed Tawaf around) the House, praying together.
Allah describes this historic moment in the Holy Quran:
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ * رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ * رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ
“And [remember] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.
Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.’”
– Surah Al-Baqarah: 127 – 129
Hadith on the First Mosque on Earth
The companion Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah! Which mosque was built first on earth?” He replied, “Al-Masjid-ul-Haram (The Sacred Mosque in Mecca).” I asked, “Which was next?” He replied, “Al-Masjid-ul-Aqsa (in Jerusalem).”