Title: The Importance of the Ka`bah , the Black Stone and the Water of Zamzam Question: What is the significance of the Ka`bah ? What is inside it. Is it just a building of stone or something more? And why do people kiss the stone "Sange Aswad" [1] . What about "Aabe ZumZum" [2] . Is it ordinary water? I have seen many people in India who regards it as Holy water, and don't let it fall on the ground. Zeeshan Alam, India Answer: The Ka`bah , according to the Islamic tradition, is the house built by Abraham (pbuh) for the sole worship of the One God and is the religious center of the whole Muslim community spread across the world. As an extension of its being the religious center of the Muslim community, it is also the direction towards which all the Muslims turn their faces during their obligatory and supererogatory prayers, for their worship of the Almighty. Thus, the Ka`bah , on the one hand, is the symbol of the worship of the one true God and, on the other, is the symbol of the unity and oneness of purpose of the whole Muslim Ummah. The significance of the Ka`bah is not because of its physical design, structure or material. On the contrary, its significance lies in the fact that it was made a symbol of the worship of the One God by God himself, through His prophet Abraham (pbuh). There is nothing inside the Ka`bah . For an explanation of the significance of the Black Stone, please refer to one of my earlier responses to a related question, titled: " The Significance of the Black Stone Inside the Ka`bah ". The significance of the well of ZamZam is also not physical or material in nature, but is, in fact, because of its spiritual importance in the history and legacy of the Arabs, which linked it with their forefathers - Abraham and Ishmael (pbut). Nevertheless, from a purely physical aspect, the water of ZamZam is as much H 2 O, as any other pure water. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad May 19, 2002 [1] i.e. the black stone in one of the corners of the Ka`bah . [2] i.e., the water of the well of ZamZam .