YOGYAKARTA - Long before the modern era, in the holy land of Arabia, King Abrahah, a ruler of Yemen, had one terrible goal of destroying the Kaaba, the holy house of Muslims in Mecca.
So, what prompted a king to destroy a building that was solarized and tainted? What is the motive behind this massive effort that even involves the legendary elephant army?
Let's explore more on the grounds and events behind the reasons why King Abrahah wanted to destroy the Kaaba, which is a story that is an important lesson about power, belief, and divine protection.
Reporting from the NU Online page, Abrahah's attempt to destroy the Kaaba was based on at least two main interrelated motives.
The Kaaba at that time was a center for religious pilgrimages for Arab people, where they perform the Hajj ritual every year. Abrahah felt unable to accept the religious domination of the Kaaba.
The Kaaba was positioned as a "Christian defender" by King Najasyi of Habasyah who was an ally of the East Roman. Abrahah then had the ambition to transfer the religious center of Arab society from Mecca to Yemen.
In other words, Abrahah strives to enshrince Arab people and make Yemen a Christian qibla. The success in this effort will be a strategic bridge for Abrahah to control all of Arabia.
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In addition, Abrahah also wants to improve his relationship with King Najasyi. As is known, Abrahah previously led a rebellion that led to the killing of Aryath, the warlord Najasyi.
As an effort to reconcile and prove loyalty, he tries to crestentiate the Hijaz region, even the entire Jazirah Arab. This is a different Najasyi from protecting Muslims in the future.
Even Abrahah built a structure meant to compete and even replace the Kaaba as a center of worship. This building is called Al-Qullays (also known as Al-Qalis or Al-Quays, whose roots come from the Greek word Ekles).
Being a magnificent and colossal building, Al-Qullays was founded on the ruins of the ancient city of Ma'rib, making it the largest and most luxurious building of its time. Abrahah uses premium materials, including marbles andLAdies taken from the remains of the Queen Balqis Palace.
Apart from religious motives, economic factors are also the main driver of Abrahah's ambition to destroy the Kaaba.
At that time, the Kaaba was a vital center of economic activity, especially during the Hajj season. Traders flocked to peddle their wares around the Kaaba, realizing the large number of pilgrims from across Arabia even from outside Mecca who came to perform the pilgrimage.
This makes Abrahah understand very well that the pilgrimage is an abundant source of income for the inhabitants of Mecca and the areas that pilgrims go through.
By destroying the Kaaba and building a counter building in Yemen, Abrahah hopes to divert pilgrims and, most importantly, traders to his territory.
Thus, Abrahah's goal is clear, namely to move the economic prosperity that has been centered in Mecca to Yemen, so that it can control trade routes and achieve great financial benefits.
This economic motive was also justified by Quraish Shihab, who said Abrahah's hidden motive for destroying the Kaaba was to protect the people of Mecca who benefited from material and glory thanks to the large number of people who visited the Kaaba.
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