THIRD REMINDER. Sunday. Survival of the Kaaba, a wonder. BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. It is a wonder that all the royal palaces built throughout history have been demolished but the Kaaba, a house built of mud and stone over four thousand years ago by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismail (AS) in a parched land is still upright and will continue to be loved by human beings until the Day of Judgment. What is more wonderful is the attraction of this House. So many glorious and majestic buildings in the world are found in areas of good climate, but the Kaaba attracts people to itself without having means of entertainment or being satisfying people's pleasure. The reason however is natural. It is God Himself Who has created this attraction in people's hearts through Prophet Ibrahim's supplication: "And proclaim among men the pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path." (The Holy Quran, 22:27). Allahu Akbar. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) participated in one of its reconstructions before he announced a Prophet. After a flash flood, the kaaba was damaged and its walls cracked. It needed rebuilding. This responsibility was divided among the Quraish's four tribes. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) helped with this reconstruction. Once the walls were erected, it was time to place the Black Stone, (Hajar al-Aswad) on the eastern wall of the kaaba. Arguments erupted about who would have the honor of putting the Black Stone in its place. A fight was about to break out over the issue, when Abu Umayyah, Makkah's oldest man, proposed that the first man to enter the gate of the mosque the following morning would decide the matter. That man was the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). The Makkans were ecstatic. "This is the trustworthy one (Al-Ameen)" they shouted in a chorus. "This is Muhammad." He came to them and they asked him to decide on the matter. He agreed. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) proposed a solution that all agreed to - putting the Black Stone on a cloak, the elders of each of the clans held on to one edge of the cloak and carried the stone to its place. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) then picked up the stone and placed it on the wall of kaaba. Allahu Akbar, raw wisdom isn't it. Since the tribe of Quraish did not have sufficient funds, this reconstruction did not include the entire foundation of kaaba as built by Prophet Ibrahim A.S. This is the first time kaaba acquired the cubical shape it has now, unlike the rectangle shape which it had earlier. The portion of the kaaba left out is called Hateem now. May Allah grant us the means to be part of this spiritual experience. Aameen.