Understand the Kiswa and why it’s so special
Discover some amazing facts about the Kiswa, the black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses that covers the Kaaba in Makkah. Why is it so special?
Discover some amazing facts about the Kiswa, the black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses that covers the Kaaba in Makkah. Why is it so special?
Since the time of The Prophet Ismael (PBUH), one of the most important aspects of venerating the Holy Kaaba has been the Kiswa. Most stories indicate that the first person to cover the Kaaba was the King of Yemen, Tubba Abu Karab of Himyar.
Tubba’s successors considered the Kaaba’s cover to be a religious duty. When the Kiswa became worn out or damaged, it was replaced and the old one was cut into small pieces and buried.
At first, the kings of Egypt and Yemen took turns producing the Kaaba cover. Then Egypt took over completely, until political disputes caused Egypt to stop sending covers. Kaaba covers are now produced in Makkah.
Learn how to visit the Kiswa Factory in Makkah.
The Kiswa is richly embroidered with Quranic verses.
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