Final answer:
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and the most sacred site in Islam. Muslims believe it was originally established by Abraham and his son Ishmael and has been rededicated by Muhammad in the 7th century CE. The Kaaba is the focus of the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam, located within the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is a pre-Islamic monument that has undergone multiple renovations throughout its history, being rededicated by the Prophet Muhammad in 631-32 CE. The structure itself is cube-shaped, with its corners roughly aligning with the cardinal directions.
Pilgrims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform rites that are believed to have been established by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael, who, according to Islamic tradition, constructed the original Kaaba. Today, the Kaaba stands fifteen meters tall and measures ten and a half meters on each side, with a door made of solid gold added in 1982. It also features the kiswa, a cloth that covers the Kaaba, symbolizing the unity and dedication of Muslims to their faith.
Mecca's significance as a holy site dates back over 2,000 years to the time of Abraham, and the city itself has been a commercial and religious hub for the region, significantly influenced by its proximity to the Red Sea and its position as a trade center.