Building the Sacred House.

Question:
Allah says in His Noble Book: “Indeed, the first house established for people was the one at Bakka, blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” We also wish to shed light on the verses regarding the foundation and construction of the Sacred House. May Allah benefit you and your knowledge.

Answer:
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. Allah the Exalted said: “Indeed, the first house established for people was the one at Bakka.” This is an announcement from Him—Glorified and Exalted is He—that the Sacred Mosque is the first of the mosques; it is the first of the mosques of the Prophets on earth. “Indeed, the first house established for people was the one at Bakka.” The letter *ba* is a linguistic variant in the name of Makkah; it is called Makkah and it is called Bakka. When Allah described it, He said: “Blessed.” This house is blessed; Allah sent down blessing upon whoever visits it, whoever prays near it, whoever circumambulates it, whoever performs Hajj to it, and whoever performs 'Umrah to it. It is blessed with the multiplication of good deeds, the expiation of sins, and the elevation of ranks. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever comes to this House and does not commit obscenity or transgression returns as his mother bore him.” It is the first of the three mosques. “Blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” Guidance descends upon those around it, those who come to it, and those who visit it. It contains blessing and it contains guidance for the worlds. Then He said: “Therein are clear signs.” It contains indicators; a sign (*ayah*) is a marker indicating good. “Therein are clear signs” means clear and evident. Among these signs is the Station of Ibrahim, which is the stone upon which he stood during the construction of this House. When Allah commanded him to build it, he began building it with his son Isma'il (peace be upon them both). As the structure rose, he brought a stone and stood upon it, so it would raise him up and then lower him down. This was by the subjugation of Allah—Glorified and Exalted is He—of the stone for him and for the establishment of this House which Allah made blessed. The traces of his feet (peace be upon him) remained on this stone continuously, and this is clear on the stone. Everyone who sees it sees the traces of Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) feet on it. Abu Talib said in his *Lamiyyah*: “And the footprint of Ibrahim on the stone, moist, Upon it his mark, barefoot, not wearing a sandal.” It is among the clear signs, and Allah—Glorified and Exalted is He—preserved it and prescribed prayer at it. Allah the Exalted said: “And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he circumambulated this House seven times, came to this Station, placed it between himself and the Ka'bah, and prayed two rak'ahs at it after reciting this verse, which is Allah’s saying: “And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) clarified the meaning of taking the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer: that one prays at it for whoever has circumambulated this House. “And a guidance for the worlds. Therein are clear signs. The Station of Ibrahim.” It is said that the Station of Ibrahim includes all the sacred sites, all of them being from the Station of Ibrahim, including this stone upon which he stood, at which prayer is performed after completing the tawaf. This is a recommended practice (*sunnah*). If one prays the two rak'ahs in any place within the boundaries of the Haram, that suffices and the obedience is achieved.