Qabah

Qabah is a term that may refer to different things depending on language and context. In English-language usage, one common reference is to the Kaaba (also transliterated Kabah or Kaabah), the cuboid sacred building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Islam's holiest site. Muslims face toward the Kaaba during prayers, and it serves as the focal point for the tawaf ritual performed during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The Kaaba is draped in a black silk cloth known as the kiswah, which is replaced annually. The interior is rarely opened to visitors and contains inscriptions and ritual significance rather than public furniture or relics.

The word Kaaba comes from Arabic al-Ka‘bah, meaning “the cube.” Variants in transliteration, including Kabah or Kaabah, appear in historical and regional sources, but “Qabah” is less common as a standard English spelling for this term.

Less clearly defined under the same transliteration, Qabah may also refer to toponyms in Arabic-speaking regions or other localities, and is not widely standardized in English. In such cases, the precise identification depends on the country or local context. Because Qabah is not a single, universally recognized place or concept in English, it is advisable to consult region-specific sources or provide additional context to determine the intended reference.