1. The Ka’bah was constructed by Prophet Ibrahīm and his son Prophet Isma’īl, may Allah exalt their mention. This is stated in the Qur’an, Allah says: ‘Verily, the first House founded for mankind is that at Bakkah, abounding in blessings and guidance for all peoples.’
Ibn Kathir asserts that Ibrahīm, al-Khalīl, was the first to build the House and he said: ‘There is no report given by an infallible that the House was built before al-Khalīl.’

2. During Jāhiliyah (Ignorance Era) the Ka’bah caught fire and its walls were weakened, and its stones loosened. Quraish reconstructed the Ka’bah and the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, participated in the construction works. The Ka’bah, after this reconstruction, was 18 arm-spans high; they increased the area of the Hijr, and raised the door, to give access to whomever they wanted and to prevent whomever they wanted. They built a roof, for it had no roof before this. They also built a drainpipe in order to drain the water that gathered on its roof.

3. In the 17th year of Hijrah, during the reign of Umar b. al-Khat’tāb, may Allah be pleased with him, the Ka’bah was damaged by a great flood; Maqam Ibrahīm was swept out of the vicinity of the Ka’bah and was found in the outskirts of Makkah. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, replaced the Maqam, and repaired the Masjid. He bought the nearby houses and expanded the Haram. He also built a wall around the Haram, built doors, and lamps were placed in the Masjid.

4. During the reign of Uthman b. Af’fān, may Allah be pleased with him, the houses surrounding the Haram were bought and the Ka’bah was expanded.

5. During the reign of the U’ma’yi Caliph Abdul-Malik b. Marwan, may Allah have mercy on him, the Ka’bah was taken care of in a most remarkable manner. He took great care in repairing it, and renewing the Ka’bah’s roof. He also lighted the Safa and Marwa area, and placed a large lamp near the Black Stone.

6. During the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, Abu Ja’far al-Mansoor, may Allah have mercy on him, the Haram was expanded in both the northern and western directions. Covered corridors were added to the Haram. A fence like structure was built round the well of Zamzam in order to prevent anyone from falling into it. The Haram was also covered with marble.

7. In the year 160 of Hijrah, during the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, al-Mahdi, may Allah have mercy on him, the Haram was expanded in all directions. He also built new covered corridors. The construction works took four years in all, and it was the largest expansion witnessed during that era. The Masjid area was connected to the area of Sa’īy. The Masjid’s area after the expansion was 120000 arm spans [about 28000 square meters] and 23 gates were built. The old part of the Haram which can be seen today is from the reign of al-Mahdi.

8. During the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, Hāroon ar-Rashīd, may Allah have mercy on him, the Haram was taken care of in a most remarkable manner.

9. During the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, Al-Wāthiq, copper pillars were placed in various parts of the Haram. Two lamps were placed on each pillar, in order to illuminate the Tawaf area.

10. During the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, al-Mu’tadhid bil-lāh, the Haram was expanded slightly.

11. During the reign of the Ab’bāsid Caliph, al-Muqtadir, the Haram was slightly expanded in the direction of the gate of Ibrahīm.

12. In the year 979 of Hijrah, during the reign of the Utmāni Sultan, Salīm, the building of Masjid al-Harām was renewed; this renewal was completed in the year 989 of Hijrah.

13. In the year 1019 of Hijrah, during the Utmāni reign, the Ka’bah’s northern wall broke down; so the Ka’bah was tied with a copper belt which was covered in gold.

14. In the year 1039 of Hijrah, during the Uthmāni reign, heavy rains damaged the northern and eastern walls of the Ka’bah and the three quarters of the western wall. The Ka’bah was then rebuilt with stone, and the construction was completed in the year 1040 of Hijrah.

15. Under the Saudi rule, both Masjid al-Harām and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah were taken care of remarkably. During the rule of King Saud, and King Faisal may Allah have mercy on them both, the Haram was greatly expanded. Before this expansion the area of Masjid al-Harām was 28000 square meters, and after its expansion the Masjid’s area was 151000 square meters.

16. During the reign of King Fahd, Masjid al-Harām in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah were both expanded. Masjid al-Harām’s area after the expansion of King Fahd was 208000 square meters, in addition to the area of the roof [61000 square meters] which is used for prayers. The area outside the Haram [88000 square meters] which is covered in marble is also used for prayers. Thus, the area of total expansion during the Saudi rule is 357000 square meters. Masjid al-Harām can now accommodate over 1,000,000 people. There are nine minarets, each 89 meters high.