Topic: Rebuilt
View Aspects
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
14:41.
14:41.
Was Abraham the founder or only the rebuilder of the Ka‘bah is a question that has given rise to much discussion. Some hold that Abraham was the first builder of the place, others trace its origin to Adam. The Qur’an (3:97) and authentic Traditions favour the view that even prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham some sort of structure did exist, but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of it had remained. The word al-Qawa‘id in the verse shows that the foundations of the House were there which Abraham and Ishmael had raised. Moreover, Abraham’s prayer at the time he had separated from the child Ishmael and his mother at Mecca, viz. Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House (14:38), shows that the Ka‘bah had existed even before Abraham had settled his wife and son in the Valley of Mecca. The Hadith also supports this view (Bukhari). Historical records too lend support to the view that the Ka‘bah is of anti
14:41.
Commentary:
When the unfitness of the Israelites for prophethood had been proved, the question naturally arose: What nation would then be the rightful heir to this favour of God? To answer this, reference is here made to the history of the building of the Ka‘bah by Abraham and Ishmael, and it is added (vv. 128-130) that while constructing the Ka‘bah, Abraham and Ishmael had offered certain prayers which were to bear fruit. These prayers were to the effect that the children of Abraham through Ishmael might multiply and prosper and there might be raised among them a great Prophet. Whether Abraham was the founder or only the rebuilder of the Ka‘bah is a point that has given rise to much discussion. Some hold that Abraham was the first builder of the place, others trace the origin of the House to the days of Adam and hold that Abraham only rebuilt it on its old ruins. The Quran and authentic traditions favour the view that even prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham, some sort of structure did exist. Even in the verse under comment the words القواعد من البیت which may mean "the foundations that were left of the house," hint at the fact that a previous structure did exist but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of the foundations remained. Elsewhere the Quran speaks of the Ka‘bah, as the first House founded (or built) for (the good of) mankind (3:97). Now as people lived even before Abraham and some Prophets had also been raised before him, it stands to reason that some place of worship did exist for them and as the Ka‘bah is the first house of that nature, it must be taken to have priority over all others.
Moreover, the Quran represents Abraham offering the following prayer at the time of his separation from Ishmael and his mother at Mecca: Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House(14:38). From this verse it is clear that the Ka‘bah existed even before Abraham.
The sayings of the Holy Prophet also support this view. Describing the retreat of Abraham after leaving Hagar and Ishmael at the place where Mecca now stands, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: "Hagar inquired of Abraham why he was leaving them in a valley without any friend or sympathizer and without any food to eat. She asked the same question several times, but Abraham (probably overpowered by feelings) kept silent and made no reply. At last, she asked whether he was doing this under the order of God, and this time Abraham replied in the affirmative. Thereupon, Hagar said that in that case God would never let them perish. Then Abraham returned, and standing on a hillock, where he could not be seen by Hagar, he turned his face to the Ka‘bah, and raising both of his hands, offered the prayer: Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House (Bukhari).
The above narrative related by the Holy Prophet shows that even before Abraham’s going to the place where Mecca now stands, it was held sacred, or else how could he have turned his face to it while offering the prayer and how could he have used the words "near Thy Sacred House". Nor does history say anything contrary to this view, because whatever information can be gleaned from it points to the fact that the Ka‘bah is a very old place. Historians of established authority and even some hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah has been held sacred from time immemorial. In this connection the following quotation may also be of interest. "Diodorus Siculus, Sicily (60 B.C.), speaking of the region now known as Hejaz, says that it was 'specially honoured by the natives' and adds, 'an altar is there built of hard stone and very old in years,...to which the neighbouring peoples thronged from all sides' (Translation by C. M. Oldfather, London, 1935, Book III, ch. 42 vol. ii. pp. 211-213). "These words", says William Muir, "must refer to the holy house of Mecca, for we know of no other which ever commanded the universal homage of Arabia…Tradition represents the Ka‘bah as from time immemorial the scene of pilgrimage from all quarters of Arabia…So extensive an homage must have had its beginnings in an extremely remote age" (Muir, p. ciii).
Some Christian critics question the truth of the claim that Abraham came to the site of Mecca and built the Ka‘bah on the flimsy ground that the Bible is silent about it. It is not difficult to see the absurdity of this objection. There is no denying that the story of Abraham’s leaving his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael in a desert, the want of water, the extreme thirst of the boy and the providential appearance of a well are all mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 21:14-19). As, however, the Bible gives an extremely brief account of Ishmael’s life, owing to the antipathy of the Jews towards him, it is not safe to decide the matter solely on the authority of the Bible. It is an open secret that the sons of Israel looked upon the sons of Ishmael as their enemies. Therefore, far from preserving any record of the life of Ishmael, the Israelites were more likely to delete even such mention of him as might already have been contained in the Bible. At any rate, the Christians have no historical ground to reject the narrative of the Quran, especially when the well-known national traditions of Arabia all go to confirm it. Even some Christian writers have felt constrained to admit that the story of the Quran and the Traditions is true, or, at least, highly probable. "Freytag (Einl. p. 339) says that there is no good reason for doubting that the Caaba was founded as stated in this passage" (Rodwell under 2:128). Lieut. Burton in his Pilgrimage (iii. 336) refers to the Arab tradition which he says "speaks clearly and consistently as to the fact of Abraham having visited Mecca to build the Caaba", and considers it not to be without foundation. The Jerusalem Targum also speaks "of the visits of the 'very old man' Abraham to the tent of his nomad son, far away in the Arabian desert" (Jewish Foundation of Islam, p. 84). The Talmud supports the view that Abraham went twice to see Ishmael after the latter had grown up to be a young man and had married (Selections translated by H. Polano, London, Tamuz 5636, p. 51).
b
14:41.
a
14:41.
134
Commentary:
When the unfitness of the Israelites for prophethood had been proved, the question naturally arose: What nation would then be the rightful heir to this favour of God? To answer this, reference is here made to the history of the building of the Ka‘bah by Abraham and Ishmael, and it is added (vv. 128-130) that while constructing the Ka‘bah, Abraham and Ishmael had offered certain prayers which were to bear fruit. These prayers were to the effect that the children of Abraham through Ishmael might multiply and prosper and there might be raised among them a great Prophet. Whether Abraham was the founder or only the rebuilder of the Ka‘bah is a point that has given rise to much discussion. Some hold that Abraham was the first builder of the place, others trace the origin of the House to the days of Adam and hold that Abraham only rebuilt it on its old ruins. The Quran and authentic traditions favour the view that even prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham, some sort of structure did exist. Even in the verse under comment the words القواعد من البیت which may mean "the foundations that were left of the house," hint at the fact that a previous structure did exist but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of the foundations remained. Elsewhere the Quran speaks of the Ka‘bah, as the first House founded (or built) for (the good of) mankind (3:97). Now as people lived even before Abraham and some Prophets had also been raised before him, it stands to reason that some place of worship did exist for them and as the Ka‘bah is the first house of that nature, it must be taken to have priority over all others.
Moreover, the Quran represents Abraham offering the following prayer at the time of his separation from Ishmael and his mother at Mecca: Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House(14:38). From this verse it is clear that the Ka‘bah existed even before Abraham.
The sayings of the Holy Prophet also support this view. Describing the retreat of Abraham after leaving Hagar and Ishmael at the place where Mecca now stands, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: "Hagar inquired of Abraham why he was leaving them in a valley without any friend or sympathizer and without any food to eat. She asked the same question several times, but Abraham (probably overpowered by feelings) kept silent and made no reply. At last, she asked whether he was doing this under the order of God, and this time Abraham replied in the affirmative. Thereupon, Hagar said that in that case God would never let them perish. Then Abraham returned, and standing on a hillock, where he could not be seen by Hagar, he turned his face to the Ka‘bah, and raising both of his hands, offered the prayer: Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House (Bukhari).
The above narrative related by the Holy Prophet shows that even before Abraham’s going to the place where Mecca now stands, it was held sacred, or else how could he have turned his face to it while offering the prayer and how could he have used the words "near Thy Sacred House". Nor does history say anything contrary to this view, because whatever information can be gleaned from it points to the fact that the Ka‘bah is a very old place. Historians of established authority and even some hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah has been held sacred from time immemorial. In this connection the following quotation may also be of interest. "Diodorus Siculus, Sicily (60 B.C.), speaking of the region now known as Hejaz, says that it was 'specially honoured by the natives' and adds, 'an altar is there built of hard stone and very old in years,...to which the neighbouring peoples thronged from all sides' (Translation by C. M. Oldfather, London, 1935, Book III, ch. 42 vol. ii. pp. 211-213). "These words", says William Muir, "must refer to the holy house of Mecca, for we know of no other which ever commanded the universal homage of Arabia…Tradition represents the Ka‘bah as from time immemorial the scene of pilgrimage from all quarters of Arabia…So extensive an homage must have had its beginnings in an extremely remote age" (Muir, p. ciii).
Some Christian critics question the truth of the claim that Abraham came to the site of Mecca and built the Ka‘bah on the flimsy ground that the Bible is silent about it. It is not difficult to see the absurdity of this objection. There is no denying that the story of Abraham’s leaving his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael in a desert, the want of water, the extreme thirst of the boy and the providential appearance of a well are all mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 21:14-19). As, however, the Bible gives an extremely brief account of Ishmael’s life, owing to the antipathy of the Jews towards him, it is not safe to decide the matter solely on the authority of the Bible. It is an open secret that the sons of Israel looked upon the sons of Ishmael as their enemies. Therefore, far from preserving any record of the life of Ishmael, the Israelites were more likely to delete even such mention of him as might already have been contained in the Bible. At any rate, the Christians have no historical ground to reject the narrative of the Quran, especially when the well-known national traditions of Arabia all go to confirm it. Even some Christian writers have felt constrained to admit that the story of the Quran and the Traditions is true, or, at least, highly probable. "Freytag (Einl. p. 339) says that there is no good reason for doubting that the Caaba was founded as stated in this passage" (Rodwell under 2:128). Lieut. Burton in his Pilgrimage (iii. 336) refers to the Arab tradition which he says "speaks clearly and consistently as to the fact of Abraham having visited Mecca to build the Caaba", and considers it not to be without foundation. The Jerusalem Targum also speaks "of the visits of the 'very old man' Abraham to the tent of his nomad son, far away in the Arabian desert" (Jewish Foundation of Islam, p. 84). The Talmud supports the view that Abraham went twice to see Ishmael after the latter had grown up to be a young man and had married (Selections translated by H. Polano, London, Tamuz 5636, p. 51).
a
14:41.
146
Was Abraham the founder or only the rebuilder of the Ka‘bah is a question that has given rise to much discussion. Some hold that Abraham was the first builder of the place, others trace its origin to Adam. The Qur’an (3:97) and authentic Traditions favour the view that even prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham some sort of structure did exist, but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of it had remained. The word al-Qawa‘id in the verse shows that the foundations of the House were there which Abraham and Ishmael had raised. Moreover, Abraham’s prayer at the time he had separated from the child Ishmael and his mother at Mecca, viz. Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House (14:38), shows that the Ka‘bah had existed even before Abraham had settled his wife and son in the Valley of Mecca. The Hadith also supports this view (Bukhari). Historical records too lend support to the view that the Ka‘bah is of anti
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ
2:126.
这节经文说明天房的所在地早在伊布拉欣时代之前就已存在。事实上, 天房是阿丹所建立的。这是世界上所建成的第一座朝拜的天房 (3:97)。到伊布拉欣时代早已成为废墟, 由于得到启示, 伊布拉欣发现了这一所在地。他和他的儿子伊司马仪, 神圣先知的伟大祖先重建了天房。
كَعْبَة(Ka‘bah) 在 «古兰经» 里有各种不同的说法, 如 “我的房子” (2:126和22:27); “禁房” (14:38); “禁寺” (2:151); “天房” (2:128, 159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27); “古寺” (22:30, 34) 和 “经常朝拜的房子” (52:5) 等。这些不同的名称都说明了作为人们礼拜的最伟大中心 كَعْبَة (Ka‘bah) 的显赫名声。
这节经文可作为朝觐这一课题的引论, 它是这一章的中心论题。巡游禁寺是朝觐的最重要仪式。因此, 简要地介绍天房 كَعْبَة (Ka‘bah)的神圣与重要性可以作为朝觐课题的引论。
اس میں اسلامی عبادت کا نقشہ کھینچا گیا ہے جس میں قیام رکوع اور سجود ہوتا ہے۔ یہودی اور عیسائی نمازیں ان کا مجموعہ نہیں ہوتیں۔
2:126.
The verse shows that the site of the Ka‘bah had existed long before Abraham’s time. In fact, the Ka‘bah was built by Adam. It was the first House of worship built in the world (3:97). By the time of Abraham it had fallen into ruins and its site, having been disclosed to him by revelation, he and his son Ishmael, the Holy Prophet’s great progenitor, rebuilt it. See also {146}.
The Ka‘bah is variously mentioned in the Qur’an as "My House" (2:126 & 22:27), "The Sacred House" (14:38), "The Sacred Mosque" (2:151), "The House" (2:128,159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27), "The Ancient House" (22:30, 34), and "The Frequented House" (52:5). All these different appellations point to the eminence of the Ka‘bah as the greatest centre of worship for mankind.
The words, keep My house clean, embodied both a commandment and a prophecy. The commandment was that the Ka‘bah was not to be polluted with idol-worship as it had been built for the worship of the One True God, and the prophecy lay in the fact that this commandment would be defied and the House of God would become a house of idols but would eventually be completely cleared of them.
This verse serves as an introduction to the subject of Pilgrimage which is the central theme of this Surah. Circumambulation of the Sacred Mosque is the most important ceremony of the Pilgrimage, so a brief reference to the sanctity and importance of the Ka‘bah forms a befitting introduction to the subject of Hajj.
2:126.
Commentary:
The Ka‘bah is variously mentioned in the Quran as بیتی i.e. My House (2:126 & 22:27), as البیت المحرم i.e. the Sacred House (14:38), as المسجد الحرام i.e. the Sacred Mosque (2:151), as البیت i.e. the House (2:128, 159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27), as البیت العتیق i.e. the Ancient House (22:30, 34), as البیت المعمور i.e. the Frequented House (52:5) and as اول بیت i.e. the First House (3:97). All these different appellations point to the eminence of the Ka‘bah as being the greatest centre of worship for mankind.
The words "We assigned to Abraham the site of the House" show that the site of the Ka‘bah had existed before Abraham’s time. In fact the Ka‘bah was built by Adam and as it appears from 3:97, it was the first House of worship built in the world. By the time of Abraham it had fallen into ruins and its site having been disclosed to him by revelation he and his son Ishmael, the Holy Prophet’s great progenitor, rebuilt it.
The words "keep My House clean" embodied both a commandment and a prophecy. The commandment was that the Ka‘bah was not to be polluted with idol worship as it had been built for the worship of the One True God and the prophecy lay in the fact that this commandment would be defied and the House of God would become the house of idols but would eventually be completely cleared of them. The prophecy was fulfilled when at the Fall of Mecca the Ka‘bah was cleared by the Holy Prophet of all the abominations and of the 360 idols that were kept in it. Thus the commandment, in a way, embodied a prophecy about the advent of the Holy Prophet; and the rebuilding of the Ka‘bah by Abraham and Ishmael was, in fact, the first step towards the fulfilment of that great prophecy. See also 2:128-130.
d
2:126.
857
这节经文说明天房的所在地早在伊布拉欣时代之前就已存在。事实上, 天房是阿丹所建立的。这是世界上所建成的第一座朝拜的天房 (3:97)。到伊布拉欣时代早已成为废墟, 由于得到启示, 伊布拉欣发现了这一所在地。他和他的儿子伊司马仪, 神圣先知的伟大祖先重建了天房。
858
كَعْبَة(Ka‘bah) 在 «古兰经» 里有各种不同的说法, 如 “我的房子” (2:126和22:27); “禁房” (14:38); “禁寺” (2:151); “天房” (2:128, 159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27); “古寺” (22:30, 34) 和 “经常朝拜的房子” (52:5) 等。这些不同的名称都说明了作为人们礼拜的最伟大中心 كَعْبَة (Ka‘bah) 的显赫名声。
859
这节经文可作为朝觐这一课题的引论, 它是这一章的中心论题。巡游禁寺是朝觐的最重要仪式。因此, 简要地介绍天房 كَعْبَة (Ka‘bah)的神圣与重要性可以作为朝觐课题的引论。
1
اس میں اسلامی عبادت کا نقشہ کھینچا گیا ہے جس میں قیام رکوع اور سجود ہوتا ہے۔ یہودی اور عیسائی نمازیں ان کا مجموعہ نہیں ہوتیں۔
a
2:126.
2458
Commentary:
The Ka‘bah is variously mentioned in the Quran as بیتی i.e. My House (2:126 & 22:27), as البیت المحرم i.e. the Sacred House (14:38), as المسجد الحرام i.e. the Sacred Mosque (2:151), as البیت i.e. the House (2:128, 159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27), as البیت العتیق i.e. the Ancient House (22:30, 34), as البیت المعمور i.e. the Frequented House (52:5) and as اول بیت i.e. the First House (3:97). All these different appellations point to the eminence of the Ka‘bah as being the greatest centre of worship for mankind.
The words "We assigned to Abraham the site of the House" show that the site of the Ka‘bah had existed before Abraham’s time. In fact the Ka‘bah was built by Adam and as it appears from 3:97, it was the first House of worship built in the world. By the time of Abraham it had fallen into ruins and its site having been disclosed to him by revelation he and his son Ishmael, the Holy Prophet’s great progenitor, rebuilt it.
The words "keep My House clean" embodied both a commandment and a prophecy. The commandment was that the Ka‘bah was not to be polluted with idol worship as it had been built for the worship of the One True God and the prophecy lay in the fact that this commandment would be defied and the House of God would become the house of idols but would eventually be completely cleared of them. The prophecy was fulfilled when at the Fall of Mecca the Ka‘bah was cleared by the Holy Prophet of all the abominations and of the 360 idols that were kept in it. Thus the commandment, in a way, embodied a prophecy about the advent of the Holy Prophet; and the rebuilding of the Ka‘bah by Abraham and Ishmael was, in fact, the first step towards the fulfilment of that great prophecy. See also 2:128-130.
b
2:126.
1943
The verse shows that the site of the Ka‘bah had existed long before Abraham’s time. In fact, the Ka‘bah was built by Adam. It was the first House of worship built in the world (3:97). By the time of Abraham it had fallen into ruins and its site, having been disclosed to him by revelation, he and his son Ishmael, the Holy Prophet’s great progenitor, rebuilt it. See also {146}.
1943A
The Ka‘bah is variously mentioned in the Qur’an as "My House" (2:126 & 22:27), "The Sacred House" (14:38), "The Sacred Mosque" (2:151), "The House" (2:128,159; 3:98; 8:36; 22:27), "The Ancient House" (22:30, 34), and "The Frequented House" (52:5). All these different appellations point to the eminence of the Ka‘bah as the greatest centre of worship for mankind.
1944
The words, keep My house clean, embodied both a commandment and a prophecy. The commandment was that the Ka‘bah was not to be polluted with idol-worship as it had been built for the worship of the One True God, and the prophecy lay in the fact that this commandment would be defied and the House of God would become a house of idols but would eventually be completely cleared of them.
1945
This verse serves as an introduction to the subject of Pilgrimage which is the central theme of this Surah. Circumambulation of the Sacred Mosque is the most important ceremony of the Pilgrimage, so a brief reference to the sanctity and importance of the Ka‘bah forms a befitting introduction to the subject of Hajj.
ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا۟ تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا۟ نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا۟ بِٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ
Al-Baitul-‘Atiq means, free, excellent and very old House (Lane). The epithet 'free' implies a prophecy that no hostile power will ever be able to conquer it. It shall always remain free. The epithet, 'excellent' signifies that the Ka‘bah shall always occupy a position of honour in the world. The fact that the Ka‘bah is a very ancient house of worship in the world finds corroboration in another verse of the Qur’an (3:97). It was in existence long before Abraham brought his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael to settle in the barren, bleak and arid valley of Mecca (14:38). Noah is believed by some to have performed the circuit of the Ka‘bah (Tabari as quoted by Enc. of Islam). Historians of established repute and authority, including even some very hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah had been held sacred from time immemorial. Diodorus Siculus writing about the region now known as the Hijaz says: 'There is in this country a temple greatly revered by all the Arabs to which th
Important Words:
لیقضوا تفثھم (accomplish their needful acts of cleansing). تفث (tafathun) is infinitive noun from (tafatha) which means, he left off shaving his pubes and in consequence became dirty.
قضی تفثه means, he removed his uncleanliness. The Quranic expression لیقضوا تفثھم means, then let them accomplish their needful acts of shaving and cleansing (Lane & Aqrab).
العتیق (ancient) is derived from عتق. They say, عتق العبد i.e. the slave became free. عتیق الخمر means, the wine became old and good. عتیق means, free from slavery or emancipated; old; beautiful; excellent (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, "and go round the ancient House," refer to the last tawaf or circumambulation round the Ka‘bah.
The seven circuits round the Ka‘bah correspond to seven prayers of Abraham which he uttered when, with the assistance of his son Ishmael, he was building the Ka‘bah. The prayers are given in 2:129-130 and are as follows:
1. "Our Lord make us submissive to Thee;
2. "and make of our offspring a people submissive to thee;
3. "show us our ways of worship;
4. "turn to us with mercy;
5. "raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves;
6. "who may recite to them thy Signs, may teach them the Book and wisdom;
In view of the three meanings of the root word عتق, the expression البیت العتیق would mean, free, excellent and a very old House. The epithet 'free' implies a prophecy that no hostile power will ever be able to conquer it. It shall always remain free. The second epithet, i.e. excellent, signifies that the Ka‘bah shall always occupy a position of honour in the world. It has also been described as البیت الحرام (the Sacred House) in the Quran. The fact that the Ka‘bah is a very ancient House of worship in the world finds corroboration in another verse of the Quran (3:97) where it is said that it is the very first House founded for Divine worship. In 14:38 we find that the Ka‘bah was in existence long before Abraham brought his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael to settle in the barren, bleak and arid valley of Mecca. Noah is believed by some to have performed the circuit of the Ka‘bah (Tabari as quoted by Enc. of Islam). Historians of established repute and authority, including even some very hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah had been held sacred from time immemorial. Diodorus Siculus writing about the region now known as the Hijaz says that there is in this country a temple greatly revered by all the Arabs "to which the neighbouring peoples throng from all sides." "These words," says Sir William Muir, "must refer to the Holy House of Mecca for we know of no other which ever commanded the universal homage of Arabia… Tradition represents the Ka‘bah as from time immemorial the scene of pilgrimage from all quarters of Arabia so extensive an homage must have had its beginning in an extremely remote age" (Muir, p. ciii).
The fact seems to be that the Ka‘bah was first built by Adam and after that it was washed away by the great Deluge in the time of Noah and was later rebuilt by Abraham. See also 2:128-129.
2460
Important Words:
لیقضوا تفثھم (accomplish their needful acts of cleansing). تفث (tafathun) is infinitive noun from (tafatha) which means, he left off shaving his pubes and in consequence became dirty.
قضی تفثه means, he removed his uncleanliness. The Quranic expression لیقضوا تفثھم means, then let them accomplish their needful acts of shaving and cleansing (Lane & Aqrab).
العتیق (ancient) is derived from عتق. They say, عتق العبد i.e. the slave became free. عتیق الخمر means, the wine became old and good. عتیق means, free from slavery or emancipated; old; beautiful; excellent (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, "and go round the ancient House," refer to the last tawaf or circumambulation round the Ka‘bah.
The seven circuits round the Ka‘bah correspond to seven prayers of Abraham which he uttered when, with the assistance of his son Ishmael, he was building the Ka‘bah. The prayers are given in 2:129-130 and are as follows:
1. "Our Lord make us submissive to Thee;
2. "and make of our offspring a people submissive to thee;
3. "show us our ways of worship;
4. "turn to us with mercy;
5. "raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves;
6. "who may recite to them thy Signs, may teach them the Book and wisdom;
In view of the three meanings of the root word عتق, the expression البیت العتیق would mean, free, excellent and a very old House. The epithet 'free' implies a prophecy that no hostile power will ever be able to conquer it. It shall always remain free. The second epithet, i.e. excellent, signifies that the Ka‘bah shall always occupy a position of honour in the world. It has also been described as البیت الحرام (the Sacred House) in the Quran. The fact that the Ka‘bah is a very ancient House of worship in the world finds corroboration in another verse of the Quran (3:97) where it is said that it is the very first House founded for Divine worship. In 14:38 we find that the Ka‘bah was in existence long before Abraham brought his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael to settle in the barren, bleak and arid valley of Mecca. Noah is believed by some to have performed the circuit of the Ka‘bah (Tabari as quoted by Enc. of Islam). Historians of established repute and authority, including even some very hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah had been held sacred from time immemorial. Diodorus Siculus writing about the region now known as the Hijaz says that there is in this country a temple greatly revered by all the Arabs "to which the neighbouring peoples throng from all sides." "These words," says Sir William Muir, "must refer to the Holy House of Mecca for we know of no other which ever commanded the universal homage of Arabia… Tradition represents the Ka‘bah as from time immemorial the scene of pilgrimage from all quarters of Arabia so extensive an homage must have had its beginning in an extremely remote age" (Muir, p. ciii).
The fact seems to be that the Ka‘bah was first built by Adam and after that it was washed away by the great Deluge in the time of Noah and was later rebuilt by Abraham. See also 2:128-129.
1948
Al-Baitul-‘Atiq means, free, excellent and very old House (Lane). The epithet 'free' implies a prophecy that no hostile power will ever be able to conquer it. It shall always remain free. The epithet, 'excellent' signifies that the Ka‘bah shall always occupy a position of honour in the world. The fact that the Ka‘bah is a very ancient house of worship in the world finds corroboration in another verse of the Qur’an (3:97). It was in existence long before Abraham brought his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael to settle in the barren, bleak and arid valley of Mecca (14:38). Noah is believed by some to have performed the circuit of the Ka‘bah (Tabari as quoted by Enc. of Islam). Historians of established repute and authority, including even some very hostile critics of Islam, have admitted that the Ka‘bah had been held sacred from time immemorial. Diodorus Siculus writing about the region now known as the Hijaz says: 'There is in this country a temple greatly revered by all the Arabs to which th