The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 94
CH. 3 ĀL-E-‘IMRĀN disbelieves, let him remember that Allah is surely independent of all creatures. 384 384. Commentary: After alluding to the historical evidence in favour of the Ka'bah, the Quran proceeds to state that reason also demands that the Ka'bah should be adopted as the Qiblah. The verse gives reasons to show that the Ka'bah is entitled to be adopted as the Qiblah or the centre of God's religion. The first reason, as hinted in the words, the place of Abraham, is that Abraham came and prayed here. Jews and Christians, to both of whom Abraham 1S worthy of reverence, have to admit that Abraham visited the place. Therefore, it cannot be denied that it is a blessed place. great The second reason, referred to in the words whoso enters it enters peace, is that the Ka'bah not only promises but also affords peace and security to those who enter it. This promise has been literally fulfilled. Temporally, God has ever protected it against wars and invasions both in ancient and modern times. The way in which Abraḥah, ruler of Yemen, and his hosts were destroyed when they tried to invade the Ka'bah and the way in which this territory, which then formed a part of the dominion of Turkey, was kept outside the conflict during the First World War (1914-18) afford remarkable instances of how miraculously God protects the Ka'bah. Unlike the sacred places of other nations, it has never fallen into 534 PT. 4 the hands of a people who would not revere it. Even in the Days of Ignorance when the different tribes of pagan Arabia were constantly at war with one another, the territory of the Ka'bah was held to be sacred and no was allowed therein. fighting Spiritually, also, it is a place of security for those who enter it in the i. e. embrace the spiritual sense, religion of Islam. They become recipients of divine favours and enjoy security from the punishment of God. The third reason which entitles the Ka'bah to be adopted as the Qiblah is hinted at in the words, pilgrimage to the House is a duty which men. . . owe to God. The verse contains an implied promise on the part of God that the Ka'bah shall ever continue to be the centre to which men of different countries and diverse nations will resort for Pilgrimage. The fulfilment of this promise is proof of the fact that the Ka'bah has indeed been designed by God to be the Qiblah of all nations. Every Muslim who can find a way to Mecca is bound to perform Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah once in his lifetime. If he performs it more than once, it is regarded as a supererogatory act of devotion. The words, who can find a way thither, embody three conditions: (1) one should have the necessary conveyance for performing the