What the Heck is that Big Black Box?!

I'm sure you've all seen it, and you've been wondering what it is.  What in the world is that big black box that all the Muslims are facing?! Do they worship it? Who lives there? Why is it so important?? Well, here are some answers to those questions.

Every Muslim, 5 times a day, takes a pause from whatever he or she is doing in order to pray and make supplications to God.  These 5 daily prayers are how we Muslims maintain God-consciousness in the fast-paced, ever-changing world in which we live.  It’s an act of worship to our Lord, and we gain all the benefit from it. With all the different time zones and prayer times, at any given time of any given day, you can be certain that someone around this globe is facing Mecca to pray for forgiveness, health, guidance, strength, bounties, heaven, protection or whatever else that person is wanting. 

Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia, and within that city sits a big black box.  This big black box is known as the Kaaba.  The Kaaba is what all Muslims face when making our daily prayers.  There are several reasons why we turn towards that big black box.

Muslims face the direction of the Kaaba during prayer

First, I want to be sure y’all know that WE DO NOT WORSHIP THE BIG BLACK BOX. It is merely symbolic of the monotheistic practices we follow, and it represents our trust and belief in the one true God.  The Qiblah, or “direction”, of prayer also provides a unity amongst the Muslim population.  Every Muslim turns toward the Kaaba to pray, and it unifies the Ummah (community).

The Kaaba is also significant during Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.  Hajj is required for all Muslims with both the financial and physical means to do so.  The pilgrimage should be performed at least once in a Muslim’s life, and afterwards, the pilgrim is “reborn” in the sense that all of her sins are erased as though she is a newborn. Pretty cool, huh?!

All those rows of dots are humans!! :O 

Hajj takes place in the last month of the lunar calendar, known to Muslims as Dhul-Hijjah. It involves a series of prayers and acts that Prophet Abraham (SAW) and his wife did when they were searching for water in the desert for their son.  During Hajj, the Muslims are to wear robes of simple white cloth.  This dress code dispels all indications of social status, and it allows everyone to be on the same “level” in the eyes of one another.  There are no fancy watches or expensive jewelry to distract you from the purpose of your pilgrimage.

It’s pretty amazing once you think about it.  Millions of Muslims from all over the world come to this one central location for the same purpose; to worship God.  The person on your right could speak English, Arabic, Swahili or Portuguese, and the person on your left could speak Chinese.  You could be standing next to a prince or a school teacher; an accountant or a surgeon; and you would all be considered equals.  Brothers. Sisters.  That just sounds so cool to me.  I can't wait for the opportunity to participate in the pilgrimage. Peace out, y’all.

Check this blog to see cool facts about the Kaaba!
TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY!! Check out the Kaaba's transformation over the past century!