The short answer
The Ka‘bah is the cube-shaped building at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Muslims believe Abraham and Ishmael built it as a house dedicated to the one God. It gives Muslims a single direction to face in prayer and is circled by pilgrims during Hajj and ‘Umrah.
A little more context
Muslims do not worship the Ka‘bah. It contains nothing to worship; it is a point of orientation, as a flag or a compass bearing is. The second caliph Umar is reported to have said of the Black Stone set in its corner that it was only a stone and that he kissed it because he had seen the Prophet do so.
Sources & further reading
- Qur’an 2:125-127 Abraham and Ishmael raise the foundations of the house.
- Qur’an 2:144 Turning towards the Sacred Mosque in prayer.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 Umar on the Black Stone.
Original introductory summary, not a direct scripture translation. Prepared 21 October 2026. Qualified human religious review is pending. About our editorial approach.