The superiority of Makkah and its buildings, and the statement of Allah Ta'ala
“And (remember) when We made the House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind, and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham) [or the stone on which Abraham عليه السلام stood while he was building the Ka‘bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayer, e.g. two Rak‘a of Tawaf of Ka‘bah) and We commanded Abraham and Isma‘il (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka‘bah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I‘tikaf), or bowing down or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer). And (remember) when Ibrahim said: ‘My Lord! Make this city (Makkah) a place of security, and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.’ He (Allah) answered: ‘As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of Fire, and worst indeed is that destination.’ And (remember) when Ibrahim and (his son) Isma‘il were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka‘bah) (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Our Lord, make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive to You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umra etc.). And accept our repentance. Truly! You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful’.” (V.2:125-128)