BUILDING THE ANCIENT HOUSE

 FAJR REMINDER: BUILDING THE ANCIENT HOUSE

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Ḥijjah 21, 1447 (7-June-2026)

Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) took his son, Ismā'īl, with him to build the House of Allāh (the Ka‘bah). This contains a profound lesson for parents. Children often learn through observation, and their parents are usually their greatest role models. Therefore, parents should strive to set good examples and allow their children to witness and participate in righteous deeds. Involving children in acts of worship helps nurture faith and allows them to share in the reward. From an early age, they should be encouraged to establish prayer, observe voluntary fasts, give charity, and engage in other acts of obedience to Allāh.

As Prophet Ibrāhīm and Ismā‘īl (‘Alayhimā Salām) raised the foundations of the House, stone upon stone, they continuously supplicated to Allāh, asking Him to accept their efforts. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And (remember) when Ibrāhīm and (his son) Isma’īl were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2): 27]

This teaches us another valuable lesson: the importance of complete humility and submission before Allāh. No matter how much good a person does, he or she should continue to ask Allāh for acceptance. A believer should never become arrogant because of his deeds. Rather, he should regard his efforts as insufficient and continue striving for more righteousness. Imām Ibn al-Qayyim (Raḥimahullāh) said: “There is nothing that corrupts the deeds more than; self-amazement and looking up to oneself.” [Al-Fawā'id 1/152]

The noble Ka‘bah, also known as Al-Bayt al-‘Atīq (the Ancient House), is the first House of worship established for mankind and the Qiblah toward which Muslims across the world face in their prayers. It is situated in Makkah, the most sacred city in Islām. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamīn (the mankind and Jinns).” [Sūrah Aal-‘Imrān (3): 96]

This cube-shaped stone structure, which stands approximately fifteen metres high, together with the surrounding mosque, forms what is known as Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (the Sacred Mosque). Abū Dharr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) said: “I asked Allāh’s Messenger  (ﷺ) about the first Masjid to be built for people on earth, He said, ‘Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (The Sacred Mosque).’ I asked, ‘Then which one?’ He said, ‘Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā (The Furthest Masjid, in Jerusalem).’ I asked, ‘How long between them?’ He said, ‘Forty years, then the earth was made a mosque for you. Wherever the time for prayer reaches you, then pray there.’” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3366, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 520]

By the Permission of Allāh, I will discuss more about the Ka‘bah in a future article. I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to keep us steadfast upon goodness, increase us in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds, and accept our efforts. Aameen.

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