The Kiswah of the Kaaba

Many people refer to the Kiswa as the "Ghilaf of the Kaaba." For the Muslim Ummah, the Kiswa is far more than a piece of cloth—it is a symbol of honor, gratitude, devotion, and the deep spiritual connection of believers with the House of Allah.

History of the Kiswa There are several opinions regarding when and by whom the tradition of covering the Kaaba first began:

• Some historical narrations state that Prophet Ismail (A.S.) was the first to cover the Kaaba with cloth.
• Another narration mentions that Adnan ibn Aid, a forefather of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was the first to place a covering on the Kaaba.
• However, the most widely accepted opinion among historians is that the Himyarite King Tubba Abu Karb Asad was the first to officially cover the Kaaba with a Kiswa.

The practice continued through generations after Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and evolved over time.

During the Era of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

• The first Kiswa used during his time was made of Yemeni fabric.
• Caliph Umar (R.A.) and Uthman (R.A.) used white cloth for the Kiswa.
• Later, the Abbasid dynasty introduced the traditionally recognized black Kiswa, which remains in use today.

The Kaaba in the Qur'an Allah says in the Qur'an: "Indeed, the first House established for mankind was that at Makkah—blessed and a guidance for the worlds." (Surah Aal-Imran, 3:96)

Hadith on the Honor of the Kaaba The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "O Kaaba! How great you are and how great is your sanctity. But the honor of a believer in the sight of Allah is greater than yours." (Ibn Majah)

How the Kiswa Is Made – Full Process Today, the Kiswa is produced at the prestigious King Abdul Aziz Complex for Kaaba Kiswa Factory located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Its production involves several highly detailed and sacred stages: 1. Selection of Fine Silk Premium-quality natural silk is imported from various places and carefully selected to maintain the highest standard. 2. Dyeing the Silk The silk is dyed deep black using advanced industrial machinery to achieve the iconic color that represents the Kaaba's dignity and grandeur. 3. Golden Embroidery This is the most remarkable aspect of the Kiswa: Holy verses are embroidered using pure gold and silver-plated threads. 4. The "Hizam" – Golden Belt of the Kaaba The golden band encircling the Kaaba is called the Hizam. It is crafted entirely with gold-thread embroidery and contains Qur'anic verses. 5. Installation of the Kiswa Every year on 9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah), the old Kiswa is removed and a new one is installed. This sacred moment fills the heart of every Muslim around the world with emotion and reverence.

Time, Effort & Cost

• The Kiswa requires 8–9 months to complete.
• More than 200 skilled craftsmen work on it.
• It is a combination of detailed hand embroidery and modern precision technology.
• The cost of creating one Kiswa is approximately 20–25 million Saudi Riyals (equivalent to 60–70 crore Bangladeshi Taka).

Verses and Inscriptions on the Kiswa Typically, the Kiswa includes:

• The Kalima
• Ayat-ul-Kursi
• Surah Ikhlas
• Various supplications and praises of Allah These inscriptions are crafted using both hand stitching and machine-assisted embroidery.

What Happens to the Old Kiswa? The old Kiswa is cut into pieces, preserved, and sometimes gifted to Islamic institutions, scholars, and dignitaries as a sign of honor

Spiritual Reflection For a Hajj or Umrah pilgrim, standing before the Kaaba and seeing the golden verses shimmering on the Kiswa is a moment filled with tears, peace, and deep emotion.

Every thread of this sacred cloth reminds us of faith, worship, the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed), and our love for His sacred House.