The Kaaba

The House of Allah and the Qibla Muslims face in every prayer. Tawaf is seven circuits around it, starting and ending at the Black Stone.

History and Seerah

Allah commanded Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them) to raise its foundations (Quran 2:127), and it is the first house set up for people (Quran 3:96). Quraysh rebuilt it before the Prophet ﷺ received revelation and left the Hijr outside because they ran short of money (Bukhari 1584). It is covered by the black Kiswah, made every year at the Kiswah factory in Makkah.

Visitor tips

Keep the Kaaba on your left during Tawaf. You can do Tawaf on the ground floor, the first floor or the roof.