The Sacred Masjid was originally constructed by Prophet Aadam^-AS, but was swept away during the Deluge. Its exact location was later revealed to Prophet Ibrahim^-AS who rebuilt it.

 

All the Prophets^-AS from Nuh^-AS to Ibrahim^-AS, would visit and circumambulate it. Most of the Prophets^-AS whose nations were destroyed also retired here. They died and got buried around it. Most of them were buried under the dust carried by the winds over a period of time. They can be spiritually visualized under the Mutaaf, as explained earlier. Here, the Quran describes how Prophet Ibrahim^-AS was taken there, given the indication of site and honoured with the prestigious responsibility of rebuilding the K'abah. His^-AS whole life comprised a sequence of incessant sacrifices. His^-AS migration from his homeland, toils of the journey, and the command to leave his wife and son in the deserted valley were some of the toughest trials he braved. Consequently it was realized how precious was the sapling that he had nurtured throughout his life. Indicated the site he reconstructed the K'abah, which has to date, and will until the end of time continue to enjoy honour and consecration, while it is ardently circumambulated day in and day out.

 

Simultaneously with its construction, Allaah^-SWT commanded that it be kept pure of any polytheism; rather it was to serve as the centre of enlightenment to eliminate polytheism from the face of the earth. Besides, its cleanliness and purity must be maintained at all times, and it must be kept free of all extrinsic and intrinsic pollutions for those servants of Allaah^-SWT who would visit it for circumambulation and Salat.

 

And O Ibrahim^-AS! After finishing the construction, do announce to the children of Aadam^-AS that the K'abah is ready and whosever can afford to undertake this journey is obliged to perform Hajj. Once this announcement is made, people will throng it from distant lands, mounted or on foot. The Commentators quote a saying of the Holy Prophet^-SW that Prophet Ibrahim^-AS had said: O Allaah^-SWT ! Who will listen to my call in this wilderness?

 

Allah^-SWT Let His Call Heard

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He was asked to repeat his announcement. When Prophet Ibrahim^-AS did it, Allaah^-SWT carried his voice to every human being on the face of earth as well as to each and every Ruh in the Realm of the Spirits (in Aalam-e-Amr). In return, the people on earth and the Spirits in the celestial world exclaimed: ‘Labbaik Allah Humma Labbaik' (We are present, O our Allah^-SWT, we are present). This prompt response is termed as Talbiyah and is recited by every pilgrim in remmiscence of the event. So whoever had answered the call of Prophet Ibrahim^-AS is sure to be blessed with the honour of performing Hajj.

 

As for the voice carried to the living human beings, the satellite based systems today not only carry the voice but also the pictures from one place to another. So it was not difficult for Allaah^-SWT to convey the Message to everyone around the world. While it is beyond human ability to convey message to the Spirits, it is easy and simple for Allaah^-SWT to do so. So there is nothing to be surprised at.

 

People will throng this place for both spiritual and material benefits. They will not only be blessed with the honour of Hajj but also with the opportunity to gain through trading, which is not prohibited. The condition, however, is that the journey must be undertaken with the intention of performing Hajj and not as a business trip. The pilgrims will remember Allah^-SWT, invoking His^-SWT Name during the prescribed days, and will sacrifice animals in His^-SWT Name. The meat of the sacrificed animals should be fed to the needy.

 

Sacrificial Meat

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Consuming the meat of sacrificed animals, as well as of those vowed to Allah^-SWT, is permissible for every believer rich or poor, friend or relative, and it is desirable to apportion one third of it for the needy. However, meat of the sacrifice that becomes obligatory as atonement for some sin, or for some violation of the rules of Hajj, is not permissible to be consumed by the atoner.

 

So the pilgrims must complete their Hajj and after offering the sacrifices and fulfilling any vows if made, they must cleanse themselves both inwardly and outwardly. The latter is achieved by opening the Ihram, trimming the hair and taking a bath, while the former is attained through adorning the innersclf with Allah^-SWT‘s Zikr. Now they must circumambulate the K'abah, the last rite of Hajj termed as Tawaf-e-Ziarat. This is obligatory being the second pillar of Hajj, while the first is Stay at ‘Arafat.

 

The meaning of Bait-al-'Ateeq is an Ancient House and according to Hadith, it will ever remain free of any influence by the non believers. And whoever rcspects the Divine Decrees, will as a rule be benefited and will reap the blessings of Hajj.

 

All animals are permissible for the believers except those already decreed as prohibited. The scholars agree that basically everything is permitted unless the Shari'ah bans it.

 

The believers are being warned to stay away from the filth of idols which means that thev must neither be worshipped, nor carved nor sold. In other words believers should not be involved with idols in any form. And they must also abstain from falsehood, for polytheism indeed is a big lie. So be very straight forward with Allah^-SWT, without an iota of polytheism in any shade And whoever indulges in polytheism is like the one who falls from the heavens and on the way is either swooped by carrion-eater birds, or is swept away by the whirlwind to a distant wilderness, indeed a fall to the destruction.

 

So whoever observes the sanctity of Allah^-SWT's Monuments, it is without doubt a testimony to the purity of his heart. In other words, Taqwa is manifested through actions and conduct.

 

Besides, it is permissible to benefit from the sacrificial animals but only until the prescribed time, for they belong to the House Allaah^-SWT and the place for sacrifice is indeed the Sacred Precincts. This means that before nominating a sacrificial animal for the Sacred House it can be benefited from but not thereafter save a highly compelling reason.