Who built the Kaaba first?

The four schools agree on this.

Explanation

The Quran says Ibrahim was "raising the foundations of the House, and with him Ismail", praying: "Our Lord, accept this from us." It also says Allah "designated for Ibrahim the site of the House". Abu Dharr asked the Prophet ﷺ which mosque was set up on earth first, and he said: al-Masjid al-Haram, then al-Aqsa, forty years later.

• Ibrahim and Ismail: certain, from the Quran. In Bukhari's long report, Ismail brought the stones and Ibrahim built, standing on a stone as the walls rose: the Maqam Ibrahim.
• Before them: some reports say angels or Adam built it first, and that Ibrahim rebuilt on old foundations. Many scholars, including Ibn Kathir, said nothing authentic from the Prophet confirms that Adam built it. The words "raising the foundations" and "designated the site" suggest the place was known before Ibrahim.
• The Quraysh: rebuilt it when the Prophet was a young man, and he placed the Black Stone. Short of funds, they left out part of the original base, the Hijr (see Hijr Ismail).
• Later: rebuilt by Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, then restored after that, and repaired many times since.

For more history, see Kaaba facts and what Muslims believe about the Kaaba.

The evidence

Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.