The Significance of Building the Kaaba and the First Mosques

In this passage, the narration concerning the building of the Kaaba on the straight path, and the significance it holds according to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is discussed.

Verse Regarding the First Mosque

It is narrated that Allah says: "The first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds." (Quran, 3:96)

Details of the Narration

It was narrated through a chain of narrators that Abu Dharr inquired from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the first mosque established on earth.

• Abu Dharr asked: "O Messenger of Allah, which mosque was built first on earth?"
• The Prophet replied: "The Sacred Mosque."
• Abu Dharr further asked: "Then which [was built] next?"
• The Prophet said: "Then the Farthest Mosque (Al-Aqsa)."
• Abu Dharr inquired: "How much time was there between them?"
• The Prophet replied: "Forty years. Wherever the time for prayer comes, pray: that is a mosque."

Authentication

This narration is recorded in Sahih Muslim and other collections, narrated by Abu Kurayb and others through Abu Mu'awiya.

Hadith on the Creation of the Earth

Narrated by Mujahid from Abdullah bin Amr

Al-Bukhari reported from another perspective, from al-A'mash. Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz told us that Abu Abdullah al-Saffar narrated to us, who in turn narrated from Ahmad ibn Mihran, who narrated from Ubaydullah ibn Musa, who said that Israel reported from Abu Yahya, from Mujahid, from Abdullah bin Amr, who said: The House (the Kaaba) existed before the Earth by two thousand years, and when the Earth was stretched. Mujahid elaborated on it. Mansur also reported it from Mujahid.

Additional Chain of Narration

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us that Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Baghdadi told him, who was narrated by Yahya bin Uthman bin Salih, who was informed by Abu Salih al-Juhani, who heard from Ibn Lahi'ah, who heard from Yazid... (continued)

Sources of this Hadith Compilation

Al-Bukhari compiled this hadith in Kitab al-Anbiya, Hadith Number 60. It is also mentioned in the collection where Umar ibn Hafs narrated from his father, from al-A'mash. Muslim included it in his collection in the first book of Masjids, narrated by Abu Kamal al-Juhdari and Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaybah, among others.

Furthermore, it is recorded in the prayer section by al-Nasa'i, with the chain leading back to al-A'mash. Ibn Majah included it in his book Al-Masajid wal-Jama'at in the chapter on the founding of the first mosque, Hadith Number 753.

The Beginning of Hajj

Abu Al-Khair reported from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Aas that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah sent Gabriel, peace be upon him, to Adam and Eve and said to them: "Build for Me a house." So, Gabriel drew the plan for them, Adam dug the foundation, and Eve carried the materials until water sprang out. A voice called from beneath it: "Sufficient for you, O Adam." When they completed it, Allah revealed to them to circumambulate it. It was said to Adam: "You are the first of people, and this is the first house." Then generations passed until Noah performed Hajj, and more generations passed until Abraham raised its foundations, assisted by Isma'il. This is mentioned uniquely, elevated"

Adam's Meeting with Angels

Adam, peace be upon him, performed Hajj, and met the angels who said to him: "You have performed your rituals well, O Adam. We have been performing Hajj two thousand years before you."

The Pilgrimage of Prophets

Narrated by Ibn Ishaq:

A trustworthy person from the people of Madinah informed me, on the authority of Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr, that he said: "There is no prophet except that he has performed the pilgrimage to the House of Allah ... except for Hud and Salih. Indeed, Nuh performed Hajj, so when the earth was flooded, the House faced what the earth faced. The House was a red dune. Then Allah sent Hud, and he was preoccupied with his people until Allah took him back without performing Hajj. Then Allah sent Salih, and he too was preoccupied with his people until Allah took him back without performing Hajj. When Allah appointed Ibrahim as His friend, peace be upon him, He commanded him to perform Hajj, and after him, there was no prophet who did not perform Hajj."

Narrated by Abu Amr:

Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Adib informed us that Abu Bakr Al-Isma'ili reported to him, who narrated from Al-Hasan ibn Sufyan, who reported from Fayyad ibn Zuhayr and Mahmud ibn Ghaylan. Also, Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported to us that Abu Al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan ibn Mansur informed us, who then mentioned that Harun ibn Yusuf ibn Ziyad informed him, who narrated from Ibn Abi Umar, who said that Abdur Razzaq narrated to us, that Ma'mar reported to us from Kathir ibn Kathir ibn Al-Muttalib ibn Abi Wada'ah, and Ayyub As-Sakhtiyani and Ya'zid, one of them favoring the other, from Sa'id ibn Jubayr, who said.

Prophet Ibrahim's Departure with Hajr and Isma'il

Once, a man was sitting with Prophet Ibrahim and he said, "O youth, ask me, for I am about to depart from among you." The people asked him many questions, and one man said to him, "May Allah rectify your condition. Do you see this place as we talk about?" Prophet Ibrahim asked, "What were you talking about?" The man replied, "We were saying that when Ibrahim, upon him be blessings of Allah, once came, a woman offered hospitality to Isma'il, but he refused to accept. So she brought this stone and put it in front of him." Prophet Ibrahim said, "It was not like this." Ibn 'Abbas narrated: "The first women to use a 'mantua' from the side of the family of Isma'il was the mother of Isma'il. She took a mantua for beautifying the appearance in front of Sarah, then Ibrahim came with his son Isma'il, and she was breastfeeding him until she weaned them both at the house. There was no one in Makkah at that time, and no water, so she left them there and placed a bag with dates and a water skin. Then Ibrahim left with them. Hajar followed him and asked him, 'Where are you going, leaving us in this valley with no companion or anything?' She repeated this three times, but he did not look back. Finally, she asked him, 'Did Allah command you to do this?' He replied, 'Yes.' She said, 'Then He will not neglect us.'"

The Journey of Prophet Ibrahim and Hajar to Zamzam

Prophet Ibrahim's Prayer:

He faced the Kaaba and made a heartfelt prayer to Allah. He said, "Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, Our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people inclined toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful." (Quran, Surah Ibrahim, 14:37)

Hajar and Isma'il at Zamzam:

After the water ran out, Hajar became thirsty, as did her son Isma'il. She climbed Safa Hill and then Marwa Hill seven times in search of water. Finally, she heard a voice and found the angel Jibra'il digging near where Zamzam now flows. She rushed to contain the water with her hands to prevent it from flowing away.

Prophet Ibrahim's Recognizing the Blessing of Zamzam:

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "May Allah have mercy on the mother of Isma'il. Had she let the Zamzam flow without trying to contain it, it would have been a flowing stream. So she drank from it, nursed her child, and the angel assured her that they would never be forsaken."

Source: Surah Ibrahim, verses 34-37. Additions from Sahih al-Bukhari.

House of Allah

Here is the house of Allah, built by this boy and his father, and indeed Allah never wastes the efforts of His people. The house stood tall like a mountain, with streams flowing around it from both sides. A group of people from Jurhum passed by, coming from hardship, and settled at the bottom of Mecca. They saw a circling bird and said, "It never strays far, we are familiar with it. The valley has no water!" So they sent a man or two who returned and informed them of water available. They approached and asked permission to stay, and were granted permission but not the rights to the water.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "This bondmaid of Isma'il is a good company". They stayed with her and some of them formed tribes, raising the boy who learned Arabic from them and impressed them. When he reached maturity, they married him to a woman of their tribe, and the bondmaid of Isma'il passed away.

Ma'mar narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said to Quraish: "Before you, the guardians of this house were negligent of it, and they failed to fulfill their duties."

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Disrespect for Sanctity Leads to Destruction

They did not respect his sanctity, so Allah, the Most High, destroyed them. Then he turned to punish their offspring after them, so they also became lackadaisical and did not respect his sanctity, and thus Allah, the Most High, destroyed them. So do not be negligent and trivial with it, rather, honor his sanctity.

The Story of Ibrahim and Isma'il

When Ibrahim visited Isma'il after his marriage and did not find him, he inquired about him from his wife. She informed him that Isma'il had gone in search of livelihood. After asking about their well-being, the wife mentioned their hardships. Ibrahim advised her that when Isma'il returns, she should convey his greetings and tell him to change his doorstep. Upon Isma'il's return, he sensed something was amiss and asked if anyone had visited. The wife mentioned a visitor who inquired about Isma'il and their living conditions. Ibrahim then instructed his wife to end their marriage, following which Isma'il married another woman. Ibrahim stayed away from them according to Allah's will.

Return of Isma'il

On a subsequent visit, Isma'il was found missing. His wife mentioned that he had left to provide for the family, describing their improved state. Impressed, Ibrahim inquired further and the wife praised Allah. Ibrahim asked, "What about [the sanctity]?"

Translation of a Classical Islamic Arabic Text

Food and Drink

When asked about their food, they said: 'Meat.' When asked about their drink, they said: 'Water.' The Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed: 'O Allah, bless them in their meat and water.' Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 'They did not have any barley that day, but if they did, he would have prayed for them. They never consume meat and water away from Mecca except that both agree with them.' When your husband comes, greet him with peace and advise him to secure the door's threshold.

Visitors

When Ismail arrived, they were asked if anyone had visited them. They replied: 'Yes, a kind old man visited us. He inquired about you, and upon hearing good news, he asked about your well-being. He also instructed us to convey his greetings to you and to secure your door's threshold.' Ismail returned and informed them that Ibrahim used to visit them at a specific location.

Iconic Meeting

Ibrahim and Ismail once cleared a nobleman's name near Zamzam. Upon seeing them, the nobleman approached them, demonstrating mutual respect and affection. Ma'mar reported hearing about Ibrahim's visits to the plains. The narration then returned to Sa'id ibn Jubayr who recounted a notable incident involving Ibrahim and Ismail.

Story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma'il (Ishmael) building the Kaaba

Once, a man heard a story saying, "They wept until the birds responded." Then, he returned to the tale of Sa'id ibn Jubayr.

Conversation between Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma'il:

Ibrahim said to Isma'il, "Allah has commanded me to fulfill a task." Isma'il replied, "Then do as you have been instructed." Ibrahim asked, "Will you assist me?" Isma'il replied, "Yes, I will help you." Ibrahim stated, "Allah has commanded me to build a house here." At this, they raised the foundations of the house. Isma'il brought stones while Ibrahim, peace be upon him, built. When the construction rose, Isma'il brought a specific stone to Ibrahim, who used it as a cornerstone. They prayed, "Our Lord, accept from us. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." They continued building, circulating the house, and making the same supplication.

Source:

This narration is reported by Al-Bukhari in his authentic collection, through the chain of transmission from 'Abdullah ibn Muhammad, from 'Abd al-Razzaq.

Additional Transmission Chain:

Ali ibn Ahmad ibn 'Abdan reported to us that Ahmad ibn 'Ubayd narrated to us, who conveyed from Al-Asfuṭiyyū (Abbas ibn al-Fadl), who relayed from Ahmad ibn Shabīb.

The Prophet's Saying about the Rukn and Maqam

(66) narrated to us my father, from Yunus, from al-Zuhri, who said: Musafi' al-Hajbi informed me, he heard Abdullah ibn Amr saying: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said: "Verily, the Rukn and Maqam are from the rubies of Paradise. Were it not for the sins of the children of Adam which touch them, what is between the East and the West would have been illuminated and what is touched by blindness or illness would have been cured.”

(67) Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us, he said: Abu al-Abbas, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, said: Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar informed us, who said: Yunus ibn Bukayr narrated to us from Asbat ibn Nasr al-Hamdani, from Isma'il ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Suddi, who said: "Adam came out of Paradise with a stone in one hand and a leaf in the other. The leaf grew in India, and from it is what you see of perfume. As for the stone, it was a white ruby by which one found guidance. When Ibrahim built the House and reached the place of the stone, he said to Isma'il: 'Bring me a stone to place it here.' So he brought a stone from the mountain, but Ibrahim said: 'This is not the one,' rejecting it repeatedly. Then he went away, and Jibril came with a stone from India, with which Adam had come out of Paradise. He placed it, and when Isma'il came to him, he asked: 'Who brought this to you?' Ibrahim answered: 'He is the most diligent among you.'"

Hadith on the Call to Hajj

Narrated by Ibn Abbas: Regarding the verse "And proclaim to the people the Hajj," Ibn Abbas said, "When Allah commanded Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to proclaim the Hajj to the people, he said: 'O people! Verily, your Lord has taken a house, so make pilgrimage to it.' Their ears responded - whether from stones, trees, or clods of earth - saying, 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik'."

Origin of the Kaaba

Narrated by Abu Al-Hassan: Ali bin Muhammad Al-Muqri reported from Hassan bin Muhammad bin Ishaq, who narrated from Yusuf bin Ya'qub that Abdul A'la bin Hammad narrated from Dawud Al-Atar, who reported from Ibn Khuthaym, who quoted Abu At-Taufil as saying: I asked him (about) the description of the Kaaba before Quraysh built it. He said: It was a dry barren land devoid of cultivation, where thorny bushes grew, and cloths were spread over the ridges and it was then suspended.

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The Construction of the First Sacred House

Stones from the mountains of Ajyad [78] were used. While the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, was carrying them, his noble thigh was exposed [79], and he was called out: "O Muhammad, your thigh is exposed." That was the first time he was called out. Allah knows best. I have never seen before or after that his thigh was exposed [80].

Source:

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Bakr bin Muhammad Al-Sayrafi in Marw reported to us, saying: Ahmad bin Hayyan bin Mula'ib reported to us, saying: 'Ubaydullah bin Musa and Muhammad bin Sabiq reported to us, saying: Israel narrated to us, saying: Simak bin Harb narrated to us from Khalid bin 'Uru'ra, [saying]: A man asked 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, about the first house built for people that was blessed in Makkah. Is it the first house ever built on earth? 'Ali responded: No, but it is the first house in which blessings and guidance were placed, and the station of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it will be safe. If you wish, I can inform you how it was built: Indeed, Allah, glorified and exalted be He, inspired Ibrahim [peace be upon him]: "Build a house for me on earth." When his space was narrow, Allah sent down tranquility upon him in the form of a gentle wind with a head. One of them followed his companion until it ended, then circled around the place where the house was to be built, like a snake encircling its prey. So Ibrahim built [78] (Ajyad), a place made of gravel from Mecca. Mughams' Ma Istajram (1:115).

Notes:

[79] In some narrations: "his thigh" instead of "his 'awrah."

[80] Narrated by Abdul Razzaq, al-Tabarani, and al-Hakim, from Abu al-Tufayl - may Allah be pleased with him - and through them: al-Salhi in al-Sirah al-Shamiyyah (2:230).

[81][82] Not in the original narration.

[83] In manuscripts: "built."

[84] Not in the original or manuscripts.

[85] Khujaj: severe.

Story of the Black Stone

Once, he (Ishmael) used to build a leg every day until when he reached the place of the Black Stone, he said to his son: 'Bring me a stone.' So, he searched and brought a stone for him. He found the Black Stone already assembled, and his son asked him, 'Where did you get this from?' he replied: 'It was brought by the one who did not rely on your construction.' It was brought by Gabriel, peace be upon him, from the sky, and he completed it.

Chain of Narration:

• Abu Nasr Ibn Qatada narrated,
• Abu al-Hasan [Muhammad ibn al-Hasan] al-Sarraj narrated,
• Abu Shu'ayb al-Harrani narrated,
• Dawud ibn 'Amr narrated,
• Abu al-Ahwas: Salam ibn Sulaym narrated,
• Simak ibn Harb narrated from Khalid ibn 'Urwa narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib [may Allah be pleased with him], he said: "So, time passed by it and it deteriorated, then the builders from 'Amalikah built it. Time passed by it, and it deteriorated, then Jurhum rebuilt it. Time passed by it, and Quraish and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, at that time, a young man, were the ones who rebuilt it. When they wanted to lift the Black Stone, they debated over who would place it, so they agreed that the first man to enter from that path would decide. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him and his family, was the first to enter upon them. He decreed that they place it on a cloth, then all the tribes lift it."

Source:

Al-Tabari narrated it in his Tafsir (3:69-71), and Al-Hakim in 'Al-Mustadrak' (2:292-293) authenticated it according to Muslim's condition, but they haven't narrated it. This is agreed upon by Adh-Dhahabi, and Azraqi also narrated it in 'Tarikh Makkah' (1:24-25).

Construction of the Kaaba after the Great Flood

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: When the Kaaba was destroyed due to a flood, the Quraysh rebuilt it. When they reached the point of placing the Black Stone, a dispute arose over who would have the honor of doing so. They agreed that the first person to enter through a specific door would decide. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered through the door of the Bani Shaybah tribe. He ordered for a cloth to be placed in the middle, the Black Stone on top of it, and instructed each tribe to hold a corner of the cloth and raise it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then placed the Black Stone himself.

Settling the Dispute Over the Corner Stone

During the reconstruction of the Kaaba, a quarrel arose among the Quraysh regarding which tribe should have the honor of raising the corner stone. They decided that the first person to appear would make the judgment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) emerged, still a young boy wrapped in a cloth, and delivered the verdict. He placed the corner stone in a cloth, then he called forth the chief of each tribe and gave them a portion of the cloth to hold. He then ascended and they lifted the corner stone towards him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed it, and they were pleased with his decision. This incident occurred before the revelation began.

Historical Account

Origins of the Conflict

Between the era of ignorance (pre-Islamic) and the construction of the Kaaba stood fifteen years. The term "era of ignorance" signifies the relationship between Quraysh and the tribe of Qays, with covenants made at Ukaz and Meethaq. Conflict arose, leading to a war where sanctities were violated.

Building of the Kaaba

Quraysh decided to reconstruct the Kaaba fearing water damage as the floodwaters approached from above due to a dam. The raging flow posed a threat, leading them to embark on the building project.

Prophetic Era

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reached the age of fourteen or fifteen, the era of the "Fijar" wars erupted. Ibn Ishaq states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was twenty during these conflicts.

Biographical Note

Musa ibn Uqba ibn Abi Ayyash, a disciple of Al-Zuhri living in Medina, was renowned for his knowledge. He focused on the military campaigns of the Prophet and the Rashidun Caliphs, with a treatise on the Prophet's battles. Ibn Abd al-Barr later condensed his work, relying heavily on Al-Zuhri's accounts.

The Story of the Attempted Destruction of the Kaaba

Theft at the Kaaba

There was a man named Maliḥ who stole a piece of the Kaaba. The authorities decided to reinforce and raise its door to control access. They allocated funds and workers for this task. The first person to attempt to destroy it was Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughira. However, when they saw his actions, they stopped him, finding it remarkable.

The Divine Warning

When they tried to resume the construction, their workers were unable to move forward. They claimed to have seen a snake circling the Kaaba, causing them intense fear of divine retribution. Realizing the Kaaba's sanctity, they sought advice from Al-Mughira's father. After he prayed, the snake vanished into the sky, believed to be a sign from Allah.

Revelation of Hidden Motives

Some speculated that a bird had taken the snake, dropping it near the workers. Al-Mughira then questioned their intentions, urging them to seek harmony with Allah in their actions. He advised them to divide responsibilities and reparations among themselves and their families before proceeding with the rebuilding.

Dividing the Black Stone

According to four shares, do not allow one side of the house to be complete, each has a quarter; split it into two halves. Each side of the house, when you do that, every one of you should appoint his share. Do not place anything forced in the expenses of the house, nor sever kinship, nor violate any covenant between you and any person. In doing so, cast lots with the edge of the house. Do not argue or compete, each of you should take his allotted portion. Then proceed with your instruments, so perhaps by doing so you will attain it.

When they heard the proposal of Al-Mughira, they were pleased with it and adhered to it, and acted as instructed. It is believed by the scholars of the Quraysh that the gate of the Kaaba towards the Black Stone was in the portion of Banu Abd Manaf. When the construction reached the place of the Black Stone, they competed and envied each other in lifting it, so they agreed that the first man who entered would arbitrate. The Messenger of Allah - peace and blessings be upon him - was present at that time, so they helped him in raising it with the cooperation of some others. It is claimed that the Prophet - peace and blessings be upon him - placed it in the middle of a cloth, then said to them: take all its edges and sides. The Prophet - peace and blessings be upon him - was the one who lifted the stone, placed it in its place by his hand, and this was before his mission by fifteen years.

According to Ibn Abbas, when the Quraysh gathered to remove the stones and laid the foundation for Ibrahim and Isma'il, a man among them leaned a stone towards the foundation.

The Construction of the Kaaba

At first, they raised it without knowing that it was the original foundation. The people saw a soft light under the stone, almost blinding the man's sight. The stone slipped from his hand and fell into its place. The man and the builders were alarmed. When the stone was covered from them, they returned to their building and said, "Do not move this stone or anything with its edges." Upon reaching the original site of the first house, they found a stone with a book in it - which might have been mentioned to be at the foundation. They did not know what it was until a scholar from the Jews of Yemen came to them and informed them that he had read it. They took an oath for him to tell them about it, and to believe in him. He informed them that the book contained the words: "I am the God of Bakkah, I sanctified it the day I created the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, the day I placed these two mountains and surrounded them with seven white-marked angels."

Chain of Narration

1. Abu Bakr al-Farisi informed us,
2. Abu Ishaq al-Asbahani informed us,
3. Abu Ahmad ibn Faris informed us,
4. Muhammad ibn Faris informed us,
5. Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari informed us,
6. Mu'alla informed us,
7. Wuhayb narrated to me,
8. Ibn Khuthaym informed me,
9. Muhammad ibn al-Aswad ibn Khallaf ibn Abd Yaghuth, informed me,
10. His father told him that they found a book at the foundation of the site.

Another Account

Quraysh found a man from Himyar who told them that there was a letter in it and if he told them about it, they would kill him. They thought it contained a mention of Muhammad, so they hid it.

Chain of Narration (2)

1. Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us,
2. Abu al-Abbas: Muhammad ibn Ya'qub informed us,
3. Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar informed us,
4. Yunus ibn Bukayr informed us,
5. Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Yasar narrated the story of the construction of the Kaaba during the time of Quraysh, similar to what we have heard about Musa ibn Uqbah, with the addition that they adorned this tale with the name of Waleed ibn.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Al-Mughirah:

Also known as Abu Wahb ibn Amr ibn A'idh. It is reported that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) entered, upon seeing him, they said: "This is the trustworthy one; we are pleased with what he has judged between us." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, was referred to as "the trustworthy" during the pre-Islamic era, before the revelation came to him. Some claim this was after the age of immoral practices, when he was fifteen years old, while the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, at that time was thirty-five years old, as Ibn Ishaq narrated. Others differ, claiming that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, was twenty-five years old at that time, fifteen years before his prophethood.

Authenticity of Reports:

Various narrators have reported differing ages of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, at that time. Some say he was thirty-five while others claim he was twenty-five. Azraqi mentioned that when the Kaaba was built, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, was still a young boy. Ibn Hajar mentioned a narration by Abdel Razzaq from Ma'mar from Zuhri, stating that when the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, reached puberty, a woman set fire to the Kaaba, causing it to burn. Ibn Abdul Barr also narrated through Muhammad ibn Jubayr that this incident occurred fifteen years before the Prophet's mission. Musa ibn Aqabah confirmed this account in his writings on battles. Ibn Ishaq maintains that the construction of the Kaaba took place five years before the prophethood.

Hadith Narrations on the History of the Kaaba's Renovations

From Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)

Abu Huraira reported: The station was in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the time of Abu Bakr, attached to the House. Then Umar ibn al-Khattab later moved it.

From Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)

Ibn Abbas reported that Gabriel showed Ibrahim and Isma'il (peace be upon them) the location of the foundation of the sanctuary, so he erected it. Isma'il then refurbished it, followed by Qusayy ibn Kilab. Finally, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) renewed it.

Historical Accounts

When Umar ibn al-Khattab took charge, he sent four men from the Quraysh to place the stanchions of the sanctuary: Makhrama ibn Nawfal, Azhar ibn Abd Awf, Sa'id ibn Yarbua, and Huwaytib ibn Abd al-Uzza.

Hadith Narrated by Aisha, the Prophet's Wife

Yaqub reported: Ahmed bin Abdul Jabbar informed us, who reported from Yunus bin Bukayr, from Ibn Ishaq, who said: Abdullah bin Abi Bakr bin Hazm narrated to me from Amra bint Abdur Rahman bin Asad bin Zurara, from Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), that she said: "We used to hear that Isaf and Na'ilah, a man and a woman from their people, committed adultery in the Kaaba, so they were both turned into stones." (Reported in Akhbar Makkah 1/44)