Q 01/05

What does the Arabic word Kaaba literally mean?

A) The Stone

B) The Cube

C) The House

D) The Sanctuary

Answer · why

B) The Cube

The Cube: the shrine is usually said to be named for its shape, though it is not a perfect cube, standing taller than it is wide.

Q 02/05

The Kaaba stands at the centre of which mosque?

A) Al-Aqsa Mosque

B) Masjid al-Haram

C) The Umayyad Mosque

D) The Prophet's Mosque

Answer · why

B) Masjid al-Haram

Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca, began as a simple wall that Caliph Umar built around the Kaaba in the 630s, and rulers have been enlarging...

Q 03/05

Muslims call the Kaaba Baytullah, meaning what?

A) House of Prayer

B) House of Pilgrims

C) House of the Covenant

D) House of God

Answer · why

D) House of God

House of God: Muslims everywhere turn toward it for the five daily prayers, and they bury their dead facing it too.

Q 04/05

How do pilgrims circle the Kaaba during tawaf?

A) Seven circuits, clockwise

B) Five circuits, anti-clockwise

C) Five circuits, clockwise

D) Seven circuits, anti-clockwise

Answer · why

D) Seven circuits, anti-clockwise

Seven circuits, anti-clockwise: each one starts at the corner holding the Black Stone, which pilgrims try to kiss or touch if the crowd allows.

Q 05/05

What is the area around the Kaaba where pilgrims perform tawaf called?

A) The Maqam

B) The Mataaf

C) The Minbar

D) The Mihrab

Answer · why

B) The Mataaf

The Mataaf is the open paved space around the Kaaba; following the Prophet's reported example, men take their first circuits there at a brisk pace and...