The Universal Centre of Monotheism

from nearby, as well as distant lands, were to come there, travelling by various means. Historical circumstances were created around the Ka‘bah so that people’s hearts would be drawn to it and people from all directions would converge there. The Ka‘bah is designated by God as the global Islamic centre for all time, serving as the international gathering place for Muslims around the world. According to traditions, God commanded Prophet Ibrahim to call upon the people to undertake the journey for the Hajj of this House: Prophet Ibrahim said, “O my Lord, how can I convey this message to the people when my voice cannot reach them?” God said, “You call, and it is upon Us to convey it.” So, Prophet Ibrahim stood on his standing place—some say on the stone, some say on Safa, and some say on Abu Qubais—and said: “O people, your Lord has established a House, so perform its Hajj.” It is said that the mountains lowered themselves so that the voice reached the ends of the earth, and even those who were in the wombs and the loins heard it. Everything that heard it—be it stones, tents, or trees, and everyone whom God had decreed to perform Hajj until the Day of Judgment—responded, “Here I am, O Allah, here I am.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 5, p. 414) This does not mean that all the people of the present and future literally heard Prophet Ibrahim’s call at that very moment. The call of Prophet Ibrahim was symbolic. Indeed, all people heard it, but this hearing was in potential form, not in actual form. The call of Prophet