Question:
When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?
Answer:
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:
"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance)
to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn
then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your
faces in that direction."
[Al-Qur’an 2:144]
1. Islam believes in fostering unity
For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that
some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to
unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may
be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some
Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if
they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.
2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the
map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the
centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north
facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre
of the world map.
3. Tawaaf around Kaaba for indicating one God
When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaaf or circumambulation
round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since,
just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy
of worship.
4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed
to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah
be pleased with him).
According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".
5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’
or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the
Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?