The black cube in Mecca is the Kaaba, a sacred building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
While the Kaaba itself is cuboid in shape, the term "black cube" often refers to it due to its dark covering, the kiswah. However, an integral part of the Kaaba is also the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad), located in the eastern corner. This stone, now broken into pieces and held together by a silver band, is believed to have been given to Adam upon his expulsion from paradise to obtain forgiveness. The covering of the Kaaba (the kiswah) is typically black.
Here's a breakdown:
- The Kaaba: The cuboid-shaped structure itself, revered as the "House of God" in Islam.
- The Kiswah: The black cloth that covers the Kaaba, adorned with gold embroidery of Quranic verses.
- The Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad): A stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba.
In summary, the "black cube in Mecca" primarily refers to the Kaaba, especially considering its black kiswah. The Black Stone is a specific, historically and religiously significant component of the Kaaba structure.
