Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition/Caaba

CAABA, or Caabah, properly ſignifies a ſquare building; but is particularly applied by the Mahometans to the temple of Mecca, built, as they pretend, by Abraham and Iſmael his ſon. It is towards this temple they always turn their faces when they pray, in whatever part of the world they happen to be. This temple enjoys the privilege of an aſylum for all ſorts of criminals; but it is moſt remarkable for the pilgrimages made to it by the devout muſſulmans, who pay ſo great a veneration to it, that they believe a ſingle ſight of its ſacred walls, without any particular act of devotion, is as meritorious, in the ſight of God, as the moſt careful diſcharge of one's duty, for the ſpace of a whole year, in any other temple.