Mohammed was born 567 after christ in the town of Mecca during a time when the religious folk of the area rallied around a group of stones set up in a shrine at the center of town. These several hundred stones represented the various gods and goddesses of the surrounding tribes. The New Encyclopedia of Islam by Cyril Glassé, a Muslim, writes that one of the most important idols in Mecca prior to Mohammed was one representing the moon god Hubal. It is said Mohammed made a doorstep of Hubal. Other historians claim the chief deity was known as Allah and other idols represented his daughters. One thing for sure, the word Allah was commonly used prior to Mohammed’s arrival, his father’s name was ‘Abd Allah, literally servant of Allah. This shrine has come to be known as the Ka’ba (“cube” in Arabic). Being on the trade route for caravans between India and the countries surrounding the Mediterranean it was a popular place for religious pilgrimage and as with most religious centers it produces some degree of income for the local economy. It provided for a certain amount of cultural diversity as well.
Makkah-1910
In the year 630 Mohammed led an overwhelming army of 10,000 men against Mecca where they took over the sanctuary of Allah and tore down all the images of foreign gods that had been introduced during the “Age of Ignorance” leaving only the Black Stone which is mounted in one corner of the club for all the world to see and admire. The prophet sanctioned a tradition of kissing it which is still practiced to this day.
Though Biblical characters at times set up stone altars or monuments for a memorial to historical events nothing compares to the Muslim adoration of the Ka’ba. Muslim tradition has it that it was first built by Adam. Later it was rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael, who supposedly started the pilgrimage tradition, yet there is no such record in the Bible or Jewish tradition. “Lo! the first Santuary appointed for mankind was that at Becca (Mecca), a blessed place, a guidance to the peoples; wherein are plain memorials (of Allah’s guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither.” Mecca became the Holy City where Muslims have their annual gathering (hajj) and circle the Ka’ba seven times. No unbeliever is authorized hereafter to set foot on this sacred bit of earth. The Ka’ba has been rebuilt a number of times. Shortly before Mohammed migrated from Medina, teakwood from a wrecked Byzantine ship at a nearby port was used to build a more elaborate Ka’ba. Today it is draped with a black cloth embroidered with calligraphy in gold thread, which is cut up and distributed to those who make the annual pilgrimage. Since the advent of modern world travel and communication this has become the most elaborate religious tourist scam in history. It employs thousands of construction workers and janitorial teams that sweep and sanitize the area before and after every major event. There is a constant team of engineers and visionaries working on the enlargement of the area around the ka'ba do to an ever increasing number of faithful Muslims who come to the annual hajj.
Modern clock towers over the ka'ba
Kissing the black stone. Why is this not idolatry?
Jesus never kissed the black stone
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