It is historically known that Islamic caliphs and kings have contested to hand-out various extravaganza gifts to decorate the Kaaba – the House of God – such as the doors, the black covering known as “kiswah”, the frame surrounding the black stone, to name but a few that decorates Muslims’ most sacred place.
Muhyiddin al-Hashemi, a researcher specialized in the affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, explained the details behind these ornaments which also includes more than 100 hanging lanterns beside a piece of marble stored inside the Kaaba with the name of Caliphate “Abu Jaafar al Mansour” engraved on it.
Muhyiddin al-Hashemi, a researcher specialized in the affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, explained the details behind these ornaments which also includes more than 100 hanging lanterns beside a piece of marble stored inside the Kaaba with the name of Caliphate “Abu Jaafar al Mansour” engraved on it.
Door of the Kaaba
Since the Prophet Abraham built the Kaaba, it used to have only two entrances.
The shrine today has only one door that has been modified on regular basis ever since.
King Tuba was the first to drape a cloth cover over the shrine, introducing what will later be renowned as the “Kiswah”, in addition to building more doors and introducing locks.
The doors have been altered occasionally; the latest was during the reign of the late Saudi King Khalid.
The doors have been altered occasionally; the latest was during the reign of the late Saudi King Khalid.
The silver casing surrounding the Black Stone
Sultan Abdul Majid crafted a frame from pure gold, the first in the history of the holy shrine.
The collar decorated the Black Stone for 13 years but was then replaced by a silver made during the era of Sultan Abdul Aziz Khan.
The last frame was personally fitted by the late King Saud, then renovated by the late King Fahad.
The Gutter
One of the most beautiful of the Kaaba’s features is the gold-made gutter – a sewage system to discharge rain water from the attic. It was initially assembled by the Quraish tribe when they rebuilt the shrine after being flattened by floods and fire.
The recent gutter was handcrafted from pure gold at the behest of the late King Fahd.
The recent gutter was handcrafted from pure gold at the behest of the late King Fahd.
The Marble belt surrounding the Kaaba
Known as “shazrawan”, the marble columns surrounding the shrine from three directions was first built by Abdullah bin al Zubair as a shield from flooding and to safeguard the “Kiswah.”
The Kaaba clothing – Kiswah
Muslim leaders and kings have contested to contribute to the yearly “Kiswah” following the prophet’s steps who covered the holy shrine by Yemeni cloth after he entered Mecca.
The Abbasid Caliphs established the practice of writing names of the Caliphs, the dates, and the producing country of the Kiswah, which is made from silk and gold plated thread.
Since the Othman Empire, the “Kiswah” was manufactured in Egypt, this tradition continued until 1345 AH, when its production was moved to Saudi Arabia.
The Abbasid Caliphs established the practice of writing names of the Caliphs, the dates, and the producing country of the Kiswah, which is made from silk and gold plated thread.
Since the Othman Empire, the “Kiswah” was manufactured in Egypt, this tradition continued until 1345 AH, when its production was moved to Saudi Arabia.
