Final answer:
The primary material of the pre-Islamic monument, The Kaaba, is granite masonry. It has been rededicated and renovated several times throughout history, with its significance rooted in Islamic tradition as the central place of worship and pilgrimage. The structure is covered with a silk curtain and the kiswa, a black cloth replaced annually. So, the correct answer is option 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Primary Material of The Kaaba
The primary material of the pre-Islamic monument, The Kaaba, is granite masonry. The Kaaba has undergone multiple renovations over time and holds significant religious and historical importance, particularly in Islam. Initially, the structure was a simple unroofed rectangle but was rebuilt by the Quraysh tribe using masonry and wood.
It was later rededicated by Muhammad in 631-632 CE and has since been associated with the Islamic faith. The shrine is covered with a silk curtain and is accentuated with calligraphy in gold and silver-wrapped thread. Moreover, during the civil war in 683 CE, the Kaaba was set on fire, and after several reconstructions, it was restored to the part designed by Muhammad.
The Black Stone, which is embedded in the Kaaba, is a significant religious artifact, believed to date back to the time of Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail). The historical accounts of these renovations are drawn from later literary sources rather than direct archaeological evidence.
Today, the Kaaba stands as a cubical structure fifteen meters tall, with each side measuring ten and a half meters. It is draped with the kiswa, a black cloth that is replaced annually. The Kaaba is the focal point for Muslim worship and pilgrimage, known as the hajj, and symbolizes the monotheism of Ibrahim. The door of the Kaaba was made of solid gold, added in 1982, highlighting its significance and reverence in Islam.