A big part of this is the "herd mentality" where all these people are into something and like peer pressure so they gotta be into it to. It's like brain washing.. with the praying 5 times a day.
"Praying five times a day is known as Salah and is a mandatory practice for Muslims, with each prayer corresponding to a specific time of day: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). These prayers serve to maintain a strong connection with God (Allah), offer spiritual cleansing, and provide a means to stay on the right path, acting as a spiritual dose for the soul.
The Five Daily Prayers
Fajr: A prayer performed before sunrise.
Dhuhr (Zuhr): The midday prayer, offered after the sun has passed its highest point.
Asr ('Asr): The late afternoon prayer.
Maghrib: The prayer performed at sunset.
Isha: The nighttime prayer."
Do they have to get up before sunrise. This shit is like a fucking cult, man.
"Herd mentality is the tendency to conform to the behavior, beliefs, or attitudes of a group, often at the expense of personal judgment. Also known as mob mentality, this phenomenon can lead to collective decisions that differ from an individual's own beliefs, influencing areas like fashion, politics, and investing. While it can foster a sense of belonging, herd mentality can also suppress independent thought and lead to poor group decisions, making it crucial to practice critical thinking and seek diverse perspectives."
And then they gotta circle around this thing seven times.
Let's get into it with this fucking rock here.
==============================
what do they need the Kaaba for, during religious stuff?
The Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in Islam. Its purpose during religious practices is central to the faith. Here's what they need it for:
Direction of Prayer (Qibla): Muslims around the world face the Kaaba five times a day during their prayers (Salat). This act of facing a single point unites the global Muslim community in worship, regardless of their location. It's a symbolic way of showing unity and submission to one God.
Pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah): The Kaaba is the focal point of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is a pillar of Islam, and the Umrah, a non-mandatory pilgrimage. A key ritual of these pilgrimages is the Tawaf, which involves walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. This act symbolizes the unity of believers orbiting a central point of worship, similar to the planets orbiting the sun.
The Kaaba is not worshipped itself. Muslims believe it was the first house of worship on Earth, originally built by the prophet Adam and later rebuilt by the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail. It is a symbol of the oneness of God and a spiritual center for all Muslims.
what about that black rock on it.. what's the deal with that?
The "black rock" you're referring to is the Ḥajar al-Aswad, or the Black Stone. It's an important and revered part of the Kaaba, located in its eastern corner.
Here's a breakdown of its significance:
A Relic from Pre-Islamic Times: The Black Stone has a long history and was venerated even before the rise of Islam. According to Islamic tradition, it dates back to the time of Adam and Eve and was placed in its current position by the Prophet Muhammad himself, years before his first revelation.
Symbolic Starting Point of Circumambulation (Tawaf): The Black Stone serves as the starting and ending point for the seven circumambulations (Tawaf) around the Kaaba during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Pilgrims are encouraged to touch or kiss the stone as they pass by, emulating the Prophet Muhammad. If the crowd is too dense to reach it, they can simply point to it.
Not an Object of Worship: It's very important to note that the Black Stone is not worshipped by Muslims. Its veneration is an act of following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad and is seen as a way to seek a direct connection with God. A famous quote from the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, encapsulates this idea: "I know that you are a stone, you do not cause harm or benefit; and if it were not that I had seen Allah's Messenger kiss you, I would never have kissed you."
Origin and Appearance: The Black Stone is believed to have been brought from Paradise and was originally white, but it turned black due to absorbing the sins of humanity. It is not a single piece, but a fragmented rock held together by a silver frame. While some speculate that it may be a meteorite, no scientific analysis has been allowed due to its religious significance.
you're saying this black rock was put in the cube before mohammed even downloaded the quran?
Yes, that is correct. According to Islamic tradition, the Black Stone was placed in the Kaaba by the Prophet Muhammad about five years before he received the first revelations of the Quran.
Here's the timeline to clarify:
Circa 605 CE: The Kaaba was damaged by a flood and the Meccan clans decided to rebuild it. A dispute arose over who would have the honor of placing the Black Stone back in its corner. At the time, Muhammad was around 35 years old, well-known and respected for his wisdom and integrity, but not yet a prophet. He was chosen to arbitrate the dispute and, using a clever solution that involved all the clans, he personally placed the stone in its position.
Circa 610 CE: The first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in a cave on Mount Hira. This is considered the beginning of his prophethood.
So, the Black Stone was indeed part of the Kaaba and a revered object long before the first revelations of the Quran began. This highlights its ancient and symbolic status in Islamic history.
so there was already a kaaba even before the whole religion started? This black box room that nobody's allowed to go in?
That's an excellent question that gets to the heart of the Kaaba's history. Yes, the Kaaba existed as a major religious site long before the advent of Islam.
Here's a summary of its status during the pre-Islamic era:
A Pre-Islamic Sanctuary: The Kaaba was already a central sanctuary for various Arab tribes, especially those who practiced polytheism. It was a well-known pilgrimage site where people would come annually to worship.
Housing Idols: At the time of the Prophet Muhammad's birth, the Kaaba was filled with hundreds of idols representing the various gods of the Arabian Peninsula's tribes. One of the principal idols was a statue of the god Hubal.
Access to the Interior: The Kaaba was not a "room nobody's allowed to go in" during this time. The various pagan tribes who managed the site and the pilgrims who visited would have had access to the interior to perform their rituals and worship the idols.
According to Islamic tradition, this was a corruption of the Kaaba's original purpose. Muslims believe the Kaaba was originally built as a monotheistic house of worship by the prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) for the worship of one God. Over time, that original purpose was lost, and the Kaaba became filled with idols.
When Muhammad and his followers conquered Mecca in 630 CE, one of their first acts was to enter the Kaaba and symbolically "cleanse" it of all the idols, returning it to the monotheistic purpose they believe it was intended for. Since then, the Kaaba has been an exclusive place of worship for Muslims, and only a select few individuals, typically officials and caretakers, are allowed to enter it for specific purposes like cleaning.
so what the hell does it got to do with it, when it was there before he got the download from the angel gabriel?
That's the central question. From the Islamic perspective, the Kaaba's existence before the Prophet Muhammad's "download" from the Angel Gabriel isn't a contradiction; it's a critical part of its significance.
Here's the key:
Restoration, Not Creation: Muslims believe that Muhammad's mission, and the revelation of the Quran, was not to create a new religion but to restore the original, pure monotheism of the prophets who came before him, especially Abraham (Ibrahim). The Kaaba is seen as the physical symbol of that original faith.
Reclaiming a Sacred Site: According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was first built by the prophet Adam, and then later rebuilt by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (Ismail) for the worship of the one true God. However, over centuries, the site was corrupted by the surrounding pagan tribes who filled it with idols.
Fulfilling its Original Purpose: When Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca in 630 CE, they cleansed the Kaaba of these idols. This act was a powerful symbol of returning the sanctuary to its original, monotheistic purpose, just as Abraham had intended. Therefore, the Kaaba wasn't adopted from a pagan religion; it was rescued from it.
In short, the Kaaba's pre-Islamic history, from the Islamic viewpoint, is a story of a sacred site that had fallen into idol worship and was then returned to its rightful purpose as the "House of God." It serves as a physical link between the Prophet Muhammad's message and the prophets of the past.
ok so this thing was around before the quran.. and it's abraham who put together this black cube box. But it's mohammed who found this black metorite and put it in the outside corner?
Your summary is getting very close to the traditional Islamic account, but there are a few important distinctions to clarify.
Here's the breakdown, based on what Muslims believe and what historical and academic sources suggest:
Was the Kaaba there before the Quran?
Yes, absolutely. The Kaaba was a pagan sanctuary in Mecca for centuries before the advent of Islam. This is a point of agreement between traditional Islamic sources and secular historical scholarship.
Did Abraham build the black cube box?
This is a central belief in Islam, but it's not supported by non-Islamic historical or archaeological evidence.
According to Islamic tradition: The Kaaba was first built by the Prophet Adam and then rebuilt by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) as the first house of monotheistic worship. The Quran mentions Abraham and Ishmael raising the foundations of the House.
According to secular history: There is no mention of Abraham visiting Mecca or building the Kaaba in any pre-Islamic texts, including the Bible or other historical accounts. The association of Abraham with the Kaaba is an Islamic tradition that developed later.
Did Muhammad find this black meteorite and put it in the corner?
This is also a mix of religious belief and historical event.
The Black Stone's Origin: Islamic tradition holds that the Black Stone came from Paradise. There is a common theory, though unproven due to a lack of scientific analysis, that it is a meteorite.
Muhammad's Role: Muhammad did not "find" the stone. The Black Stone was already a revered object in the Kaaba when the pagan Quraysh tribe was rebuilding the structure. A dispute arose over who would have the honor of placing the Black Stone back in its corner. To prevent a fight, the Quraysh chose Muhammad—who was respected for his wisdom and integrity—to mediate. He ingeniously had each clan leader hold a corner of a cloth and together they carried the stone to its position, where he then placed it in the wall himself. This happened around 605 CE, about five years before he received his first revelation.
So, to summarize the traditional Islamic perspective: The Kaaba was originally built by Abraham, but over centuries, it fell into paganism. When it was rebuilt shortly before his prophethood, Muhammad was the one who placed the ancient and revered Black Stone in the wall, an act that is seen as part of his destiny to restore the Kaaba to its original, Abrahamic purpose.
who's this prophet adam.. not the adam and eve guy
That's an insightful question, and the answer highlights a key difference between the Islamic tradition and what is often found in other Abrahamic faiths.
In Islam, the prophet Adam (Arabic: ʾĀdam) is indeed the same figure as the Adam from the story of Adam and Eve. However, his role and the details of his story have a specific emphasis.
The First Human and the First Prophet: In Islamic theology, Adam is not only considered the first human being but also the first prophet sent by God. This is a crucial distinction. All prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad, are believed to have preached the same fundamental message of submission to one God (Allah). Adam's story in the Quran, therefore, is not just about the creation of man, but about the very beginning of prophethood and God's plan for humanity.
No Concept of "Original Sin": Unlike some Christian theological traditions, Islam does not have the concept of "original sin" that is passed down through generations. According to the Quran, Adam and his wife (known as Hawwāʾ in Islamic tradition, though not named in the Quran itself) both took responsibility for their error of eating from the forbidden tree. They immediately repented, and God forgave them. Their expulsion from paradise was not a punishment for an unforgivable sin, but rather a part of God's original plan for humanity to live on Earth as His caretakers.
So, in the Islamic narrative, Prophet Adam is not a separate person from the "Adam and Eve guy." He is the same foundational figure, but his story is interpreted through the lens of divine guidance and the establishment of a long line of prophets, all of whom shared the same core message.
[part 1]
A big part of this is the "herd mentality" where all these people are into something and like peer pressure so they gotta be into it to. It's like brain washing.. with the praying 5 times a day.
"Praying five times a day is known as Salah and is a mandatory practice for Muslims, with each prayer corresponding to a specific time of day: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). These prayers serve to maintain a strong connection with God (Allah), offer spiritual cleansing, and provide a means to stay on the right path, acting as a spiritual dose for the soul.
The Five Daily Prayers Fajr: A prayer performed before sunrise. Dhuhr (Zuhr): The midday prayer, offered after the sun has passed its highest point. Asr ('Asr): The late afternoon prayer. Maghrib: The prayer performed at sunset. Isha: The nighttime prayer."
Do they have to get up before sunrise. This shit is like a fucking cult, man.
"Herd mentality is the tendency to conform to the behavior, beliefs, or attitudes of a group, often at the expense of personal judgment. Also known as mob mentality, this phenomenon can lead to collective decisions that differ from an individual's own beliefs, influencing areas like fashion, politics, and investing. While it can foster a sense of belonging, herd mentality can also suppress independent thought and lead to poor group decisions, making it crucial to practice critical thinking and seek diverse perspectives."
And then they gotta circle around this thing seven times.
Let's get into it with this fucking rock here.
==============================
what do they need the Kaaba for, during religious stuff?
The Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in Islam. Its purpose during religious practices is central to the faith. Here's what they need it for:
Direction of Prayer (Qibla): Muslims around the world face the Kaaba five times a day during their prayers (Salat). This act of facing a single point unites the global Muslim community in worship, regardless of their location. It's a symbolic way of showing unity and submission to one God.
Pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah): The Kaaba is the focal point of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is a pillar of Islam, and the Umrah, a non-mandatory pilgrimage. A key ritual of these pilgrimages is the Tawaf, which involves walking around the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. This act symbolizes the unity of believers orbiting a central point of worship, similar to the planets orbiting the sun.
The Kaaba is not worshipped itself. Muslims believe it was the first house of worship on Earth, originally built by the prophet Adam and later rebuilt by the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail. It is a symbol of the oneness of God and a spiritual center for all Muslims.
what about that black rock on it.. what's the deal with that?
The "black rock" you're referring to is the Ḥajar al-Aswad, or the Black Stone. It's an important and revered part of the Kaaba, located in its eastern corner.
Here's a breakdown of its significance:
A Relic from Pre-Islamic Times: The Black Stone has a long history and was venerated even before the rise of Islam. According to Islamic tradition, it dates back to the time of Adam and Eve and was placed in its current position by the Prophet Muhammad himself, years before his first revelation.
Symbolic Starting Point of Circumambulation (Tawaf): The Black Stone serves as the starting and ending point for the seven circumambulations (Tawaf) around the Kaaba during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Pilgrims are encouraged to touch or kiss the stone as they pass by, emulating the Prophet Muhammad. If the crowd is too dense to reach it, they can simply point to it.
Not an Object of Worship: It's very important to note that the Black Stone is not worshipped by Muslims. Its veneration is an act of following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad and is seen as a way to seek a direct connection with God. A famous quote from the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, encapsulates this idea: "I know that you are a stone, you do not cause harm or benefit; and if it were not that I had seen Allah's Messenger kiss you, I would never have kissed you."
Origin and Appearance: The Black Stone is believed to have been brought from Paradise and was originally white, but it turned black due to absorbing the sins of humanity. It is not a single piece, but a fragmented rock held together by a silver frame. While some speculate that it may be a meteorite, no scientific analysis has been allowed due to its religious significance.
you're saying this black rock was put in the cube before mohammed even downloaded the quran?
Yes, that is correct. According to Islamic tradition, the Black Stone was placed in the Kaaba by the Prophet Muhammad about five years before he received the first revelations of the Quran.
Here's the timeline to clarify:
Circa 605 CE: The Kaaba was damaged by a flood and the Meccan clans decided to rebuild it. A dispute arose over who would have the honor of placing the Black Stone back in its corner. At the time, Muhammad was around 35 years old, well-known and respected for his wisdom and integrity, but not yet a prophet. He was chosen to arbitrate the dispute and, using a clever solution that involved all the clans, he personally placed the stone in its position.
Circa 610 CE: The first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in a cave on Mount Hira. This is considered the beginning of his prophethood.
So, the Black Stone was indeed part of the Kaaba and a revered object long before the first revelations of the Quran began. This highlights its ancient and symbolic status in Islamic history.
so there was already a kaaba even before the whole religion started? This black box room that nobody's allowed to go in?
That's an excellent question that gets to the heart of the Kaaba's history. Yes, the Kaaba existed as a major religious site long before the advent of Islam.
Here's a summary of its status during the pre-Islamic era:
A Pre-Islamic Sanctuary: The Kaaba was already a central sanctuary for various Arab tribes, especially those who practiced polytheism. It was a well-known pilgrimage site where people would come annually to worship.
Housing Idols: At the time of the Prophet Muhammad's birth, the Kaaba was filled with hundreds of idols representing the various gods of the Arabian Peninsula's tribes. One of the principal idols was a statue of the god Hubal.
Access to the Interior: The Kaaba was not a "room nobody's allowed to go in" during this time. The various pagan tribes who managed the site and the pilgrims who visited would have had access to the interior to perform their rituals and worship the idols.
According to Islamic tradition, this was a corruption of the Kaaba's original purpose. Muslims believe the Kaaba was originally built as a monotheistic house of worship by the prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) for the worship of one God. Over time, that original purpose was lost, and the Kaaba became filled with idols.
When Muhammad and his followers conquered Mecca in 630 CE, one of their first acts was to enter the Kaaba and symbolically "cleanse" it of all the idols, returning it to the monotheistic purpose they believe it was intended for. Since then, the Kaaba has been an exclusive place of worship for Muslims, and only a select few individuals, typically officials and caretakers, are allowed to enter it for specific purposes like cleaning.
so what the hell does it got to do with it, when it was there before he got the download from the angel gabriel?
That's the central question. From the Islamic perspective, the Kaaba's existence before the Prophet Muhammad's "download" from the Angel Gabriel isn't a contradiction; it's a critical part of its significance.
Here's the key:
Restoration, Not Creation: Muslims believe that Muhammad's mission, and the revelation of the Quran, was not to create a new religion but to restore the original, pure monotheism of the prophets who came before him, especially Abraham (Ibrahim). The Kaaba is seen as the physical symbol of that original faith.
Reclaiming a Sacred Site: According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was first built by the prophet Adam, and then later rebuilt by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (Ismail) for the worship of the one true God. However, over centuries, the site was corrupted by the surrounding pagan tribes who filled it with idols.
Fulfilling its Original Purpose: When Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca in 630 CE, they cleansed the Kaaba of these idols. This act was a powerful symbol of returning the sanctuary to its original, monotheistic purpose, just as Abraham had intended. Therefore, the Kaaba wasn't adopted from a pagan religion; it was rescued from it.
In short, the Kaaba's pre-Islamic history, from the Islamic viewpoint, is a story of a sacred site that had fallen into idol worship and was then returned to its rightful purpose as the "House of God." It serves as a physical link between the Prophet Muhammad's message and the prophets of the past.
ok so this thing was around before the quran.. and it's abraham who put together this black cube box. But it's mohammed who found this black metorite and put it in the outside corner?
Your summary is getting very close to the traditional Islamic account, but there are a few important distinctions to clarify.
Here's the breakdown, based on what Muslims believe and what historical and academic sources suggest:
Was the Kaaba there before the Quran? Yes, absolutely. The Kaaba was a pagan sanctuary in Mecca for centuries before the advent of Islam. This is a point of agreement between traditional Islamic sources and secular historical scholarship.
Did Abraham build the black cube box? This is a central belief in Islam, but it's not supported by non-Islamic historical or archaeological evidence.
According to Islamic tradition: The Kaaba was first built by the Prophet Adam and then rebuilt by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) as the first house of monotheistic worship. The Quran mentions Abraham and Ishmael raising the foundations of the House.
According to secular history: There is no mention of Abraham visiting Mecca or building the Kaaba in any pre-Islamic texts, including the Bible or other historical accounts. The association of Abraham with the Kaaba is an Islamic tradition that developed later.
The Black Stone's Origin: Islamic tradition holds that the Black Stone came from Paradise. There is a common theory, though unproven due to a lack of scientific analysis, that it is a meteorite.
Muhammad's Role: Muhammad did not "find" the stone. The Black Stone was already a revered object in the Kaaba when the pagan Quraysh tribe was rebuilding the structure. A dispute arose over who would have the honor of placing the Black Stone back in its corner. To prevent a fight, the Quraysh chose Muhammad—who was respected for his wisdom and integrity—to mediate. He ingeniously had each clan leader hold a corner of a cloth and together they carried the stone to its position, where he then placed it in the wall himself. This happened around 605 CE, about five years before he received his first revelation.
So, to summarize the traditional Islamic perspective: The Kaaba was originally built by Abraham, but over centuries, it fell into paganism. When it was rebuilt shortly before his prophethood, Muhammad was the one who placed the ancient and revered Black Stone in the wall, an act that is seen as part of his destiny to restore the Kaaba to its original, Abrahamic purpose.
who's this prophet adam.. not the adam and eve guy
That's an insightful question, and the answer highlights a key difference between the Islamic tradition and what is often found in other Abrahamic faiths.
In Islam, the prophet Adam (Arabic: ʾĀdam) is indeed the same figure as the Adam from the story of Adam and Eve. However, his role and the details of his story have a specific emphasis.
The First Human and the First Prophet: In Islamic theology, Adam is not only considered the first human being but also the first prophet sent by God. This is a crucial distinction. All prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad, are believed to have preached the same fundamental message of submission to one God (Allah). Adam's story in the Quran, therefore, is not just about the creation of man, but about the very beginning of prophethood and God's plan for humanity.
No Concept of "Original Sin": Unlike some Christian theological traditions, Islam does not have the concept of "original sin" that is passed down through generations. According to the Quran, Adam and his wife (known as Hawwāʾ in Islamic tradition, though not named in the Quran itself) both took responsibility for their error of eating from the forbidden tree. They immediately repented, and God forgave them. Their expulsion from paradise was not a punishment for an unforgivable sin, but rather a part of God's original plan for humanity to live on Earth as His caretakers.
So, in the Islamic narrative, Prophet Adam is not a separate person from the "Adam and Eve guy." He is the same foundational figure, but his story is interpreted through the lens of divine guidance and the establishment of a long line of prophets, all of whom shared the same core message.
[continued in part 2]
What prophesies did Adam ever prophesy?? Muslims taking the word "Prophet" in vain??