641. Looking at the Ka’bah

By Asma bint Shameem 

QUESTION #1

*Is looking at the Ka’bah an act of ibaadah?*

*Am I rewarded for that?*

ANSWER

Just sitting there ‘looking’ at the Ka’bah is NOT an act of ibaadah by itself. 

Those who claim that it’s ibaadah for which you’ll be rewarded, have to bring PROOF of that from the Sharee’ah. 

However, if you’re looking at it, just admiring its Beauty, its Grandeur and Awe, then there’s nothing wrong with that 

Looking at the Ka’bah reminds us of the Majesty of Allaah, His Power, His Signs on this Earth. 

And if that helps you fear Allaah more and if it instills His Love in your heart, and encourages you to OBEY Him, then it’s *good* to look at it. 

One day Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu looked at the Ka‘bah and said:

 “How great you are and how great your sanctity, but the sanctity of the believer is greater before Allah than you.” (at-Tirmidhi -saheeh by al-Albaani)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“Looking at the Ka‘bah is not an act of worship. 

Rather if, when looking at the Ka‘bah, the individual intends to reflect upon this venerated structure to which Allaah has commanded His slaves to make pilgrimage, and increases in faith as a result of this reflection, then this is what is required in this regard. 

As for merely looking at it, that is not an act of worship.

(Majmoo‘ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-‘Uthaymeen 24/18) 

So looking at the Ka’bah to inspire you and motivate you etc is good.  

But to claim that ‘looking at the Ka’bah is an act of worship’ is not correct. 

Any of the ahaadeeth regarding this matter are graded as “weak” or “dha’eef” by scholars such as Shaykh al-Albaani. 

QUESTION #2

* Can I look at the Ka’bah during Tawaaf*?

ANSWER

Yes you may do that. 

There’s nothing wrong with looking at the Ka’bah while making Tawaaf. 

In fact, looking at the Ka’bah might even be *recommended* during Tawaaf, if by doing so, it gives you more khushoo and a better concentration in your duaas and ibaadah. 

Again, those who say it’s not allowed to look at the Ka’bah during Tawaaf have to bring PROOF of what they’re claiming, from the Qur’aan and/or authentic ahaadeeth. 

And Allaah knows best.