Why do muslims pray west and pray to a rock in Mecca?

Question

Why do muslims pray to a rock in Mecca, shoudn't they only pray to Allah?

Answer 1

They pray to Allah, facing Makkah. Not the same thing. It's prescribed in the Qur'an.

Answer 2

The direction Muslims must face when they pray is called the qibla. What they face, strictly speaking, is not Mecca but the revered Kaaba (spellings vary), the central shrine in Mecca's Great Mosque, which is Islam's holiest place. As one might suppose, the qibla varies from place to place, but an effort is made to enforce uniformity in any given location. In places where Muslims are accustomed to praying, it's not uncommon to see the qibla indicated by an arrow on the ceiling with the legend Makkah (Mecca). You want to make sure you get lined up right, because a prayer carelessly sent in the wrong direction is invalid, or so some believe.

The term 'Mecca' has come into common usage metaphorically to mean any all-important site for any particular group of people, or a main attraction in a certain place or group of people that has a large turnout. In the 1980s the government of Saudi Arabia changed the official English transliteration of the city's name from 'Mecca', as it had been and continues to be commonly spelled by westerners, to 'Makkah'

Answer 3

because Allah has asked us to pray towards (( al ka'aba )) - what you call a rock - the ka'aba was the first house built in Islam by the prophet -peace be upon him- Ibraheem, and it is in the center of the world with scientific evedince, and also as us muslims believe in Allah and in the day of judgment, and that we will go t heaven, there will be a mosque (wear muslims pray everyday) exactly above (Al Ka'aba) wear Allah will be.
try to read more about the religion =)
even if u dont believe, maybe reading about the religion will help you understand more than how i explained =)

thnx for reading

Answer 4

One who prays as it is described in the Qur'an, prays with the acknowledgement of his or her status as Allah's servant. He feels profoundly his submissiveness before Allah's might and feels certain that Allah sees and hears him.

According to the Qur'an, prayer cannot be confined to any particular time and place. Because the wishes and needs of people never abate, their prayers never end. That is, prayer has no time limitations.

One of the essentials of prayer is having firm faith in Allah. In situations in which one feels desperate, people feel no doubt about Allah's existence and His help. Yet a person ought also to feel Allah's existence, might and grandeur while praying during times of ease. In fact, not only during prayer, but at every instant of daily life, a believer should retain this awareness. At every moment he must feel Allah's existence and closeness and pray, for only someone who is cognizant of Allah's existence acknowledges the meaning and importance of prayer. Prayer is an intimate and personal bond between people and Allah. Through prayer, people express all their troubles and wishes to Allah and implore Him to assist them. In return, Allah answers His servants' prayer.

I can tell you further regarding your question later. If you want any references please visit the following link
http://www.harunyahya.com/

Answer 5

Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims

MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA


Question:

When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?

Answer:

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction."
[Al-Qur’an 2:144]


1. Islam believes in fostering unity


For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.


2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map


The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.


3. Tawaaf around Kaaba for indicating one God


When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.


4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)


Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".


5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

Answer 6

Muslims pray towards the Rock of Heaven in Holy Kaaba according to the guidance of Allah and Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH).

Answer 7

Muslims whereever in the world pray only to Allah in the direction of Kaaba in the centre of Mesjidil haram (biggest mosques) at Mecca.We pray not always in the direction to the west because it depend on where we live.If we live in Jeddah we should pray to Allah to east and if we live in Medina we should pray to Allah in south east..In indonesia we pray to Allah in the direction of Kabaa in the west.Kabaa is a symbol of unity in life for muslims that is for dedicating our lives for Allah the only one God.We do not pray to rock of heaven that is called hajar aswad or black stone.on the corner of Kaaba..We started our tawaaf from the side of this rock turn left as oppose of a clock for seven times.At the end we ray to Allah near the maqam of Abraham or in front of Kaabe door
or near hijir Ishmael.Abraham built Kaaba assisted by his son Ishmael at that time.During our tawaaf occasionally we kissed the rock on the wall of Kabaa because Muhammad pbuh did like that.,but we did not pray to that rock.This rock was brought by Adam prophet from heaven.

Answer 8

salaam

The kaa'ba is merely a focul point.its illistrates union. Jews pray facing jerusalem, that don't mean the worship jerusalem.christians sometimes look at a cross to pray,do they worship the cross?

Its just a direction for prayer.And the direction aint always west.There are muslim all around the world.

Answer 9

First they dont pray any rock. its only a indicator towards which all muslims pray. and to make harmony and unity among muslims they are asked to pray towards that indicator.
2ndly they only pray to Allah and not to that rock.

Answer 10

East, from here anyway, and it is because Mecca is a holy site.
There is really no logic to the practice, it is done as a ritual and in reverance to God.