Do Muslims Worship The Kaaba?

One of the misconception of Islam is: Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?

The Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that thought Muslims face Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslim worship and bow to none but Allah. (see Al-Baqarah 2:144)

1. Islam believes in fostering unity. For instance, if Muslims want to offer Solaah (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 of the map with the south facing upwards and the north downward. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and the south downward. Yet, Alhamdulillah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaf around the Kaaba for indicating one God. When the Muslims go to al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation around 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 please with him). Regarding the black stone, Al-Hajar Al-Aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), atributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be please with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No 675. Umar 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 azan. At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the 'azan' or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worship?