Inside the Kaaba and Its Sacred Kiswah: The Story of the Holy Veil
Theo Al Jazeera English
During this year's Hajj, over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have gathered in Mecca, circling the Kaaba, which is draped in a 670-kilogram black silk cloth known as the Kiswah, embroidered with gold and silver threads worth over $6.6 million. This article explores 10 key facts about the Kaaba, its interior, and the sacred Kiswah covering. From its history as the holiest site in Islam to the intricate production of its cover, the story reveals the profound significance of this tradition.
The first day of Hajj has begun, with more than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world undertaking the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. As part of the five-day ritual, pilgrims visit the Kaaba, circling it counterclockwise multiple times.
The Kaaba is covered with a black cloth known as the Kiswah, embroidered in gold with verses from the Quran. Here are 10 things to know about the Kaaba, its interior, and its covering.
1. What is the Kaaba?
The Kaaba, meaning "cube" in Arabic, is the holiest site in Islam, located at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Muslims around the world face it during their five daily prayers. The Kaaba stands 13.1 meters high, 12.8 meters long, and 11.03 meters wide.
2. History of the Kaaba
Muslims believe that the Kaaba was originally built by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son, the Prophet Ishmael (Ismail), as a place of worship, at God's command. Before Islam, the Kaaba was a place of worship for many Arab tribes. Around 630 CE, the Prophet Muhammad cleansed the Kaaba of idols and restored it as a monotheistic place of worship. Mecca attracts more than 20 million pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah.
3. What is inside the Kaaba?
The Kaaba has a gold door on the northeast side, elevated more than two meters above the ground. The door contains 280 kilograms of pure gold, standing 3.1 meters high and 1.9 meters wide. It is typically opened twice a year for the interior cleansing ceremony. The interior of the Kaaba is modest, with three wooden pillars supporting the roof and a staircase leading to the roof. The floor and walls are lined with marble, and lanterns hang from the ceiling. Cloths inside the Kaaba partially cover the walls, historically in red, green, and dark blue.
4. What is the Kiswah?
The Kiswah is the black silk cloth covering the Kaaba, derived from the Arabic root k-s-w, meaning "to cover." During Hajj, the lower edges of the Kiswah are carefully raised to protect it from the crowd of pilgrims. The main component is a 14-meter-long black silk fabric, composed of 47 strips of cloth. About two-thirds up the wall, there is an embroidered belt called the hizam, 95 centimeters wide and 47 meters long. Above the Kaaba's door hangs a curtain called the sitara or burqu', the most decorated part.
5. Why is the Kaaba covered?
The Kaaba is covered to protect, honor, and beautify it. The origin of this tradition remains unclear, but many historians suggest it dates back to pre-Islamic times. The Yemeni King Tubba As'ad Kamil is believed to have been the first to drape the Kiswah over the Kaaba in 400 CE. Another theory holds that the Prophet Ismail did so, but there is no definitive evidence.
6. What is the Kiswah made of?
Today, the Kiswah is made of natural silk. Historically, materials such as linen, cotton, wool, leather, and animal hides were also used. The Kiswah was once produced in Egypt, Syria, Baghdad, and Yemen across different periods, before production was transferred to the House of Saud in Saudi Arabia. The silk is currently imported from Italy, undergoes a washing process with cold water and olive oil soap, and is then dyed black.
7. How much does the Kiswah weigh and cost?
The Kiswah is made from approximately 670 kilograms of natural silk, embroidered with about 120 kilograms of 24-karat gold thread and 100–120 kilograms of silver thread. More than 240 workers at the Kiswah factory in Mecca are involved in its production. The production cost is estimated to exceed 25 million Saudi riyals (about $6.65 million).
8. What is written on the Kiswah?
The Kiswah is embroidered with various Quranic verses and phrases, including the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith), as well as verses related to Hajj, the sanctity of the Kaaba, and the remembrance of God.
9. Has the Kiswah always been black?
The color of the Kiswah has changed historically, including white, green, yellow, and black. Under the Abbasid dynasty, black often became the characteristic color. Pre-Islamic Kiswahs from Yemen are said to have been striped red and green.
10. How often is the Kiswah replaced?
The Kiswah is replaced once a year by a dedicated team. The old Kiswah is taken to the factory, where valuable parts such as gold and silver embroidery are cut out and preserved, often donated to museums or organizations. Other parts are cut into pieces and distributed to government officials, institutions, and embassies. Some fragments may be sold on the open market.
