Do Muslims Worship Ka'bah and the Black Stone?

Makkah is the most sacred city for the Muslims all over the world, same as the Vatican City is to the Christians. Here in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is located the Masjad Al Haraam (Arabic: ٱلْبَيْت ٱلْحَرَام, lit. 'The Sacred House') which houses the Ka'bah (Arabic: كعبة) - a cubical stone structure half covered by a heavy black covering with verses from Qur'an embroidered on it with gold threads.

Since the inception of Islam, non-Muslims have unleashed a number of misconceptions and disinformation not only about Islam, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Qur'an, but also misleading concepts about the Muslims worship. We have already shared our views on such misconceptions and disinformation, some of which are as under:

• Misleading concept of Moon god Allah
• Jews misconception of Islam as a religion of Idolators
• Disinformation about Islam

Today, in our series of posts on Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A, we share yet another misconception: Do Muslims WORSHIP Ka'bah and the Black Stone?

Before we share the answer to this misconception, let us introduce Ka'bah to our readers who have least or know knowledge of what Ka'bah is. 

Ka'bah in center of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah (Photo: Wikimedia Common / Source]

• Ka'bah literary means a cube for the structure of Ka'bah is cubical stone structure. The Kaba is about 50 feet in length, 33 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. The four corners of the Kaba correspond with the four points of the compass. The stone structure is covered with black silk cloth on which embroidery of verses from Qur'an is done with golden threads. The covering called "Kiswah" is changed every year on the 9th od Islamic month Dul Hajj.
• On the eastern corner of the Ka'bah, a Black Stone has been installed (it can be seen installed in the photo above on the left corner of the Ka'bah encased in a silver frame). It is revered by Muslims as an Islamic relic which, according to Muslim tradition, dates back to the time of Adam and Eve, who received a stone when they were expelled from the heavens. And it was Prophet Ibrahim and his son who while building the Ka'bah structure had it installed on the eastern corner of the building.
• Ka'bah is also called Bayt Allah (Arabic: بيت الله, romanized: Bayt Allah, lit. 'House of Allah'). This does not mean that Allah has His abode in this building, rather it is a symbolic place towards which Muslims all over the world turn to offer their prayers five times a day. During Hajj and Umrah, the pilgrims take seven anti-clockwise circles, called Tawaf (circumambulation), around this building. Why it is done so, wait till you reach the end of this post and watch a video on the very misconception of Muslim worshipping this building.
• As per the information contained in the Qur'an, this structure was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (Abraham and Ishmail, peace be upon them) when the former visited the place called Makkah after many years when he left his wife Hajer and newly born son Ismail as directed by God. 
• Although the Ka'bah was supposed to be a center for worship of Allah, by and by, the place was taken over by the idolators of Arabia and at one time there were approximately 360 idols in and outside the Ka'bah.
• After most of Arabia accepted Islam, the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him remove the idols and restored the Kaba to its essence. He restored it as a place where only one God is worshipped.

The Qur'an contains several verses regarding the origin of the Kaaba. It states that the Kaaba was the first House of Worship for mankind, and that it was built by Ibrahim and Ismail on Allah's instructions.

And remember Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing." [Quran, Al-Baqarah (2), Ayah 127] 

Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for mankind. [Quran, Surah Al Imran (3), Ayah 96]

Behold! We gave the site to Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer)." [Quran, Surah Al-Hajj (22), Ayah 26]

This was a short introduction to the building of Ka'bah. Those who want to read details, they may follow the resources references given at the end of the post. 

Coming over the controversary raised against Ka'bah for it being a building that Muslims worship. Perhaps it is because of the disinformation spread by the religious priests and scholars and those following them have accepted it plain and square. Those who have any doubts about, had they read the impartial sources, which abound the internet, they would have known the factual status of Ka'bah and why it is so important for the Muslims all over the world.

Herein under is the explanation:

• All religions have places of worship and their followers attend to religious ceremonies held therein. However, the placement of these religious centers, like the synagogues, churches and mandars, is not keeping any direction even within the same city, what to talk of their directional placing all over the world. That means a church may be facing south at one place, while another church may be facing in another direction in another place or country. And the same is true for the synagogues and the mandars. 
• However, since Islam fosters unity among all its followers, they face towards Ka'bah from anywhere around the world to offer their prayers. Thus, Ka'bah in fact sets the DIRECTION for all Muslims around the world to face towards it. And it is if for this reason, Ka'bah is also known as the Qibla, the direction. That means, the Muslims face Ka'bah to pray in harmony and not worship the building as the misconception prevails. That is some Muslims who live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly, if they live towards the east of the Ka'bah they face the west.

"And for those calling Muslims worshipping Ka'bah, it is clarified that the prayer that Muslim offer facing towards Ka'bah does not include any mention of the Ka'bah; none of its words refers to or addresses the Ka'bah itself. In Salah (Arabic for Prayer), Muslims praise Allah and supplicate Him alone. In this sense, praying towards the Ka'bah is an embodiment of full devotion and submission to Allah alone; He commanded Muslims to face the Ka'bah while praying and they do so. Ahd the Muslims been worshipping Ka'bah, their prayers should have been embodiment of words Ka'bah (like O Ka'bah have mercy on us or listen to our vows as idolators around the world address their idols) rather than that of Allah. Thus, No Muslim entertains the idea that the Ka'bah can bring any benefit or remove any harm; let alone think that the Ka'bah has any divine attribute." 

• Imagine almost two billion Muslims facing Ka'bah almost a t the same time from around the world as against the worshippers of other faiths who face no direction at all. 
• Idolators never stepover their idols when worshipping them. But in case of Ka'bah, the Muslim Adhan (Call for prayer) has been made from the roof top of the Ka'bah building during the times of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Had Muslims been worshipping the Ka'bah, would they dare stand atop their idol?

The Black Stone (Hijar Al Aswad) installed on eastern corner of the Ka'bah 

[Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Author: Amerrycan Muslim]

Now the misconception about the kissing of the Black stone, called Hajr Al-Aswad. Non-Muslims call Muslims idolators for they kiss this Black Stone. No Muslim worships this Black Stone for it is just a stone sent down from the Heave. Here We would like to quote a saying of Umer bin Abdul Khattab, the second Caliph of Islam who has been quoted as saying:

Narrated by `Abis bin Rabi`a: `Umar came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kissing you I would not have kissed you." [Source Sahi al Bukhari (Book on Hajj/ Chapter (50) What is said regarding the Black Stone)-Hadith 1597]

We hope after reading the aforesaid explanation, the misconception about Muslims worshipping Ka'bah will be settled. One may differ on religious matters, but spreading misconceptions to safeguard one's ideology and faith should not happen.

You may now listen to Dr Zakir A Naik, a prominent Muslim scholar of present times, answering the same question from a Hindu during one of his lectures on Islam and clarifying misconceptions:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Author's Note: The data above has been collected from the references given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

The viewpoint of Dr Naik in the video above about Ka'bah being in the center of the earth is debatable as no authentic scientific research points towards this claim. Please study the viewpoint expressed in references number 5-7 as given below.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also like to read an overview of the Ka'bah: Holy places of Islam: Ka'bah - the house of Allah

Photo: |Logo| |Ka'bah | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

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Makkah - at the Dawn of Islam

The city of Makkah (Mecca) is the most visited place in the world today for it is central to the religion of Islam. It is here that the House of Allah "Bait Allah' is located almost in the center of the Makkah Valley. Many centuries ago, Makkah was still the most visited place at the dawn of Islam in the 6th century AD when it was the trade hub of the entire Arabian peninsula. 

It was perhaps the most populated place of present day Arabia with Kaabah in its center surrounded by sun baked solid rocky hills and mountains, blackened by continuous baking in the desert of Arabia. The Makkah Valley had many entrances and each entrance had its own peculator landmarks and famous family abodes.

One may not appreciate the distances today, but in those days when every distance had to be footed, an aerial views shows how distantly some of the important places were located and how people since those days till the present times had been travelling between these. One view shows how the Arafat, Mina and Makkah were distantly located and people still performed Hajj over burning sands and under the scorching sun.

Note also where the Mt Hira was located in relation to Ka'bah and with how much difficulty the Prophet of Allah used to traverse the distance to the mount and then climbing atop to the cave of Hira. 

I came across the video below and could not resist sharing for it is by far the most information video have so far seen on Makkah at the time of dawn of Islam in late 6th century. Please watch the video below on the layout of Makkah city in relation to Ka'bah at the dawn of Islam:

Disclaimer: The data for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo (Taken by me)

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Short Stories from The Holy Quran: How Allah Saved Ka'bah from the Invading Army of Elephants

Chapter 105 Sūrat al-Fīl (The Elephant) is an amazing incident that happened few months before the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and due to its relevance to the elephants, the year is remembered in the history of the Arabia as the Year of the Elephants.

This sūrah narrates an actual event that occurred in 570 AD, months before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This sūrah is called "The Elephant" because a large army under the command of Abraha Al-Ashram, the Christian viceroy of Yemen (then ruled by the Abyssinians) which came with the intention to destroy the Ka’bah at Makkah. Since the invading army also included battle elephants, the sūrah is appropriately named.

We have already provided the exegesis of the Sūrat al-Fīl - however, the purpose of this post is to share a short clip which has filmed the incident, in which an elder is shown praying to Allah to save Ka'bah from the invading army of elephants, something that had never been seen before the people of Makkah and nor they had any defence or weapons to beat back these wild beats charging on to Ka'bah with full might and ferocity.

And sure enough, Allah heard the prayers and sent squadrons of Ababeel or the Martin swallows with "sijjil (baked clay) in their beaks which when struck the elephants had embedded in the pebbles the Divine force which made the elephants turn away, running back, and trampling the accompanying army. And as said in the last verse of the surah: And He made them like (an empty field of) stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle)”

While you may read the full account of the incident in the post on Sūrat al-Fīl, watch the short film which animates the entire episode as described in the history books and Sūrat al-Fīl itself:

One should never challenge the Divine Power for its wrath can befall in magnitude one cannot even imagine. May Allah help us to stay on the right path as described in the Holy Qur'an and elaborated by the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him.

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The Holy Quran (Summary): Chapter 105 Sūrat al-Fīl (The Elephant)

Sūrat al-Fīl (pronounced as feel) is one of the sūrahs of the Holy Qur'an that were revealed in Makkah and is in the 30th part of the Holy Qur'an with its five verses. This  sūrah in fact is the narration of an actual event that occurred in 570 AD, months before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This sūrah is called "The Elephant" because a large army under the command of Abraha Al-Ashram, the Christian viceroy of Yemen (then ruled by the Abyssinians) which came with the intention to destroy the Ka’bah at Makkah. Since the invading army also included battle elephants, the sūrah is appropriately named.

Before I give out the summary of this sūrah, please read its English translation to know how this event has been described in the Holy Qur'an: 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

• “Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant? 
• Did He not make their plot go astray?
• And He sent against them birds, (Martin swallows) in flocks.
• Striking them with stones of Sijjil (baked clay).
• And He made them like (an empty field of) stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle)”

This sūrah was revealed to apprise the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) of this historic event in which Allah saved its house, Ka'bah from destruction at the hands of the Christians. Although, Ka'bah was then under the control of pagans of Makkah, it has been built by Prophets Abraham and Ismael (may peace be upon them) as House of Allah thousands of years ago and Prophet Abraham had prayed to Alla for its safety and security.

After the death of Prophet Ismael, the message of Allah gradually faded away and the pagans of Makkah started to prevail till Ka'bah came under their control. Thus while Makkah became a thriving trade center of the whole of Arabia, Ka'bah became the center for annual pilgrimage of non believers and became an idol house.

Jealous of people of Makkah for their thriving trade, King Abraha built a huge cathedral in San'a and hoped they he would be able to divert trade towards his country. But this did not happen for pagans Ka'bah was more holier than a Christian church. This infuriated Abraha  and he led a huge army to destroy Ka'bah. When the Arabs saw a huge army with big beasts (elephants) they had never seen before, they panicked and prayed to their gods for security of Ka'bah, while throwing away the towel. Although Ka'bah wasn't house of Allah anymore for it it had become a idol worshiping place, Allah remembered his promise with Prophet Abraham for its security.

Thus when the Abraha and its army approached Makkah, instead of armies of pagans, a large number of small birds appeared on the sky, quoted in history as Martin swallows carrying small pebbles of baked clay and threw on the invading army. Although these small pebbles could not have had inflicted any damage or casualties to the army of horses and elephants, they did not know that these pebbles had the divine force embedded in them. So when these hit the Abraha army, it killed them instantaneously and as the last verse of the sūrah says:  "It left an empty field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle).” Abraha too was fatally wounded and died.

The Arabs described the year as the Year of Elephants for a long time.The pagans too understood that the victory was not due to their gods, bu Allah and secretly acknowledged it too. For it was in fact Allah that saved His house (Al-Ka'bah) by destroying the large Abraha army that included elephants, through a flock of tiny birds carrying small pebbles. 

Professor Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, a well-known Pakistani Muslim theologian, Quran scholar and exegete, and educationist, explains the theme of Surah al-Fil is to inform the Quraysh that the God – Who routed His enemies in this manner before them – will also not spare them now that they too have shown enmity to Him. They will also be devastated in a similar manner. [3]

It may be added for information that in November and December 1979 a group dissidents fully armed entered the courtyard of Ka'bah and captured it. Allah again saved His house when commandos of Pakistan Army were called by Saudi government who cleared the Ka'bah of all the miscreants, killing many of them and capturing the rest. [4]

Please listen to recitation of Surat al Fil with English subtitles:

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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Holy Places of Islam: Ka'bah - The House of Allah

The most revered and sacred holy place of Islam and Muslims is a cubical stone structure draped in black covering, called "Kiswah" with verses of Holy Qur'an inscribed on it with golden threads is the Ka'bah or the Bayṫ Allāh, the House of Allāh, situated right in the center of the courtyard of Masjid Al-Ḥarām (The Sacred Mosque). It is also called Al-Kaʿbah al-Musharrafah (the Holy Ka'bah). The word Ka'bah in Arabic means a cube, thus this stone structure which is 60 x 60 x 60 feet in length, width and height is known by this name all over the Muslim world. 

Located in the city of Makkah and the Hijaz province of Saudi Arabia, it is the the "Qiblah" (direction of prayer) and Muslims from all over the world face toward the direction of Ka'bah while offering their five daily prayers. They also take seven rounds around it during Hajj and Umra, as was done by Prophet Abraham after he completed the construction of Ka'bah. 

The original foundations of the Hose of Allah are said to have been laid by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and it became the first ever place of worship of Allah. However the structure only comprised of four walls with no roof. It was The Prophet Ibrahim (the biblical Abraham) who was later instructed by Allah to build a house for Him at the exact location of the earlier structure erected by Prophet Adam. Prophet Ibrahim was assisted by his son Ismael (Ishmael)

It may be added for information that right directly above the Ka'bah in Makkah, there is a similar structure up in the heavens called Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur (i.e. Allah’s House). During the famous "ascent (Mairaj)" of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the heavens, he was shown the same by Angel Gabriel:

“Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur. I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma’mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch replaces them).”

Herein under are references from Holy Qur'an about Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him) when ordered to build the Ka'bah:

2:124

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [ Allah ] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."

2:125

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf (circumambulation) and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

2:126

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [ Allah ] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."

2:127

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.

2:128

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

And in Surah Ale Imran (3:96), Allah makes a direct reference to Ka'bah: 

Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah) - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.

The four corners of Ka'bah roughly face the four points of the compass. At the East is the Black stone (Rukn el Aswad), at the North is el Ruken el Iraqi, at the west al Rukne el Shami and at the south al Rukne el Yamani. These directions point towards towards Syria, Jordan and Palestine from northern corner; the east corner (where the Hajar al-Aswad is) faces towards Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia; the south corner (Rukun Yamani) faces towards Yemen, Mauritius and Kenya; and the west corner faces towards Egypt, Morocco and Spain. Other countries in relation to Ka'bah are as under:

Map courtesy Islamiclandmarks

A door is fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing North East. In front of the building was Maqame Ibrahim (the place of Prophet Abraham where he stood and undertook Ka'bah's construction) , the arch shape gate known as that of Banu Shayba and the Zam Zam Well.

Hajar el Aswad (the Blackstone, a stone that was sent down from the Heavens above) is fixed on the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground, with a diameter is around 12 inches.

At a distance of about 500 yards are located the famous twin hills called Safa and Marwa. These were the two hills tops between which Hajra, wife of Prophet Abraham ran for seven times to find water for his newly born son Ismael. It was on the seventh run that a stream erupted from the dry desert where little Ismael was kicking his feet out of extreme thirst. It is a miracle of Allah that since over four thousand years, the Zam Zam well produces thousands of gallons of water every day and has never since dried. 

Ka'bah has been used as a House of Allah for quite a long time after Prophet Ismael, but slowly and gradually the pagans took control over it and made it a house of wordily idols where other tribes of Arabia came for annual pilgrimage. 

Ka'bah has undergone many reconstruction efforts and one important reconstruction is worth mentioning when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in his prime youth. The Blackstone which had been taken out to allow the construction work became a bone of contention among the pagan tribes as every tribe elder wanted to place the Blackstone by hand. It was thus decided by elders that anyone who enters Ka'bah the next morning will decide how to reinstall the Blackstone. And it so happened next morning that young Muhammad walked into Ka'bah courtyard and was chosen to give out the solution. He asked the Blackstone be placed in the center of a cloth and to be carried near the place of installation by all tribal chief holding the cloth from all sides. And then he picked up the stone and placed it at its designated place. Hence with the foresight of Muhammad, tension was defused and everyone accepted the arrangements so suggested.

The Ka'bah continued to be used by the pagans of Makkah and Arabia as site of annual pilgrimage until 631 CE, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) destroyed all the idols, including the huge idol named Hubbal placed inside the Ka'bah and others outside of the Ka'bah after the fall of Makkah and brought it back to its original glory as House of Allah. And designated it for the annual pilgrimage of Muslims from all over the world, in step with Prophet Ibrahim's footsteps.

While clocks and all motions are described in the world are Clockwise, the circumambulation around Ka'bah is anticlockwise. This may sound strange to many but if we study astronomy,  movement of electrons and circulation of blood in human body, we would find that all movements and motions are anticlockwise.

The circumambulation has been anticlockwise ever since even when no one knew the celestial and astronomical movements. It is only now we know that moon rotates around earth in anticlockwise motions, while earth rotates around its axis anticlockwise, and so do all planets of our solar system rotate around sun in anticlockwise direction. Even our blood inside our bodies circulates anticlockwise. So when we take circumambulation around Ka'bah anticlockwise, we in fact follow the same anticlockwise rotation of the entire universe - all following Allah's prescribed anticlockwise path.

Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the globe come to Makkah and perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, beside performing voluntary Umra other than the Hajj season. Umra is performed exactly like Hajj excluding sacrificing the animals which is obligatory in Hajj only. Performance of these obligatory and voluntary rituals bring Muslims from all over the world where everyone perform the Hajj and Umra in uni-some without caring for one's colour or creed. This is what unity is and it is hoped one day all Muslims will join hands to be one as desired by Allah and which in fact is the essence of Islam. 

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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