AS the focal point of devotion for millions of Muslims across the world, the Kaaba — a cubodial building located in the heart of Makkah — is an immensely sacred site for Muslims. According to Islamic teachings, the Kaaba predates the birth of Islam and was first built by the Prophet Ibrahim together with his son, Ismail (peace be upon them). With Islam and all things Islamic — including Makkah and Madinah — under much scrutiny in recent years, “Islam and the Glorious Ka’aba” is an attempt to educate Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam.
Since prayers in front of the Kaaba and the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) are broadcast on television sets across the globe throughout the year, the Kaaba often draws the interest of non-Muslim viewers. It is this centrality of the Kaaba that Sayed Farouq M. Al-Huseini, a former Saudi Arabian Airlines pilot who was born in Madinah, makes the nucleus of his book in introducing readers to Islam.
“The ignorance about the most sacred and glorified symbol or monument of Islam, the Kaaba, gave me the urge to explain its beginning and consequently the emergence of Islam thereafter unto the world in a simple way and language,” writes Al-Huseini.
The book begins with the question whether God lives in the Kaaba and then — by making the Kaaba its starting point — takes the reader on an interesting and informative journey outlining Islamic belief, the history of Makkah and the Kaaba, and how the House of Allah was built in a deserted and barren land about 4,000 years ago. It further details how the Well of Zam Zam came about and how its existence then led to people settling in the area until Makkah became the spiritual powerhouse of the Arabian peninsula and then, later on, the focal point of Muslims the world over.
“This book,” writes Al-Huseini, “is basically and essentially dedicated to the subject of the Kaaba and Islam, which are interrelated. The Kaaba is revered by Muslims as a symbol of the Oneness of God and (is the place) towards which Muslims from all over the world face when offering their prayer rituals in a uniform way.”
Al-Huseini also provides readers with details of the rituals that Muslims perform in the Grand Mosque and how Muslims face the Kaaba five times a day. Having described the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, he then goes on to explain the advent of Islam, its teachings, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the importance of preceding prophets in Islamic theology, Zakat, Ramadan and the Hajj.
The book also provides a concise biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), how he was born an orphan, his childhood, people who played an important role in his life, how he was known as The Trustworthy, how revelation came to him, how he began calling to Islam and how he was forced to migrate to Madinah.
With misunderstandings about Islam and its position on many issues rife, Al-Husseini then provides readers with a brief discussion of Islam’s teachings and principles in relation to women, justice, orphans, what is permissible and not, and how the faith encourages those who adhere to it to benefit themselves and all of humanity.
The book further provides details on the four Caliphs and the four imams of fiqh, sources of Islamic theology, mosques in Islam, the purpose of Allah creating man, Satan, life after death and the Day of Reckoning.
Al-Huseini writes that the book initially began as a short booklet about the Kaaba, a project that then slowly developed into a detailed primer into Islam. The book is a unique and interesting one. People will find it interesting and informative as long as it is read without bias. “To understand any subject, especially a religion, and to find the required knowledge correctly and without prejudice, we should have an open mind and heart,” writes Al-Husseini in the foreword.
In his foreword, Al-Husseini underscores the need to take the understanding of faith from learned, pious and peaceful scholars. Criticizing how the faith is misrepresented, he writes, “There are also the extremists, fundamentalists and selfish people in every religion and society who believe themselves to be the guardians or the sole authorities of those religions. Muslims are urged to know about Islam correctly, especially from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah…”
“Islam and the Glorious Ka’abah” is an interesting compilation of useful information written in simple and lucid English that can be easily digested and understood. It is a primer that will be treasured by its readers.
— “Islam and the Glorious Ka’abah” by Sayed Farouq M. Al-Huseini is available at Jarir, Tihama and Al-Obeikan bookstores
