And the statement of Allah, "And when We made the House (the Ka'bah) a place of return for the people and a place of security, and (We said), 'Take the standing place of Abraham as a place of prayer.' And We made a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael that they should purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who stay for I'tikaf and those who bow and prostrate (in prayer). O Allah! Make this city a place of security and provide its people with fruits—those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day, only them." In response, Allah said, "And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a little while, then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination." And when Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them, were raising the foundations of the House (they prayed): «ربنا تقبل منا إنك أنت السميع العليم * ربنا واجعلنا مسلمين لك ومن ذريتنا أمة مسلمة لك وأرنا مناسكنا وتب علينا إنك أنت التواب الرحيم‏» "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord! Make us Muslims (submissive) to You and from our descendants a Muslim (submissive) nation to You. Show us our rites and turn to us. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful."

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: When the Ka`ba was built, the Prophet and `Abbas went to bring stones (for its construction). Al `Abbas said to the Prophet, "Take off your waist sheet and put it on your neck." (When the Prophet took it off) he fell on the ground with his eyes open towards the sky and said, "Give me my waist sheet." And he covered himself with it.