Kaaba
The House of Allah at the centre of Masjid al-Haram — the qibla of every Muslim on earth and the heart of Tawaf.
- Where: at the centre of Masjid al-Haram (21.42251, 39.82618)
- City: Makkah
History
The Kaaba is a stone building about 13 m high, draped in the black silk kiswah embroidered with gold. The Quran describes Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them) raising its foundations (Quran 2:127), and it has stood as the sanctuary of Makkah since long before Islam.
Around 605 CE the Quraysh rebuilt it after floods. When the tribes disputed who would set the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) in place, the young Muhammad ﷺ laid the stone on a cloak so that every clan could lift it together, then set it into the eastern corner himself.
The building has been repaired and rebuilt several times since — most recently after the great flood of 1630, in the Ottoman period. The kiswah is renewed every year, and the door, the gutter and the corner stone are covered in gold.
What to do there
- Tawaf: seven circuits anticlockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left, starting and ending in line with the Black Stone. Say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" at the start of each circuit.
- Touching or kissing the Black Stone is a Sunnah only when it can be done without pushing; otherwise point at it from a distance and say "Allahu Akbar".
- Between the Yemeni corner (Rukn al-Yamani) and the Black Stone, recite "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah…" (Quran 2:201).
- After Tawaf, pray two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is space (anywhere in the mosque is fine), then drink Zamzam.
- Make dua at the Multazam if you can reach it calmly; never push others to get there.
Tips for pilgrims
- The Mataf (the courtyard around the Kaaba) is least crowded after Isha until Fajr and mid-morning; the hours around Maghrib and Isha are the busiest, and Ramadan nights are packed.
- Upper floors and the ring bridges also count for Tawaf and are calmer, but a circuit there is longer (allow 20–40 minutes more).
- Wheelchairs and electric carts are available on the upper levels; look for the mobility desks.
- Keep your ihram or clothing modest and cover the shoulders after Umrah; footwear is left outside or carried in a bag.
- Photos are tolerated but do not stop in the flow of Tawaf to take them.
Nearby places
- Masjid al-Haram — 130 m away
- Abraj Al Bait — 410 m away
- Haramain Railway Station (Makkah) — 3.8 km away
- Jabal al-Nour — 5.0 km away
Sources
Open Kaaba on the UmrahMap 3D map for walking or driving directions, or see all Ziyarah places in Makkah.
Text by the UmrahMap content team from the sources listed; updated 2026-09-25. This text is still being reviewed by scholars. Visiting rules and opening hours can change — check locally.
UmrahMap is made by UmrahCore, Umrah and Hajj management software for travel agencies.
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