The Kiswa of the Kaaba, intricately embroidered, serves as the covering for the central structure of Masjid-al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Following Islamic tradition, a new Kiswa replaces the old one every year on the ninth day of Du al-Hijjah, symbolizing a deeply meaningful ritual in Islam. This annual act of draping signifies the unwavering devotion and commitment of millions of Muslims.
Kiswa can be understood as the curtain or the piece of cloth that covers the most sacred shrine of Islamic people, the Holy Kaaba. In Arabic, this term means ‘pall’ that refers to the cloth draped over the casket. The Kiswa cloth is made from high-quality silk and features holy verses of the Quran weaved into its pattern with gold and silver threads. It covers an area of about 658 sqm and requires about 137 workers and eight months of hard work for its completion. The cover weighs about 670 kg and uses 15 kg of gold threads. Kiswa holds great significance in the Muslim culture and is symbolic of the reverence and divinity of Kaaba.
Annually, the lower segment of the Kaaba’s Kiswa, the black covering encasing the revered sanctuary, is elevated by 3 meters ahead of the new Hajj season, substituting it with white fabric instead. This precautionary measure aims to safeguard the Kiswa from potential damage, as certain pilgrims engage in touching and pulling the black cloth during their circumambulation, known as ‘Tawaaf,’ around the Holy Kaaba. Furthermore, on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, a fresh Kiswa is draped over the sanctified structure of the Kaaba. Such rituals are deeply rooted in the belief that the Kiswa serves to magnify and pay homage to the most sacred site within Islamic traditions.
What occurs with the previous Kiswa cloth once it’s replaced?
Traditionally, it’s believed that Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims of Makkah refrained from adorning the Kaaba until around 630 AD, as the Quraysh tribe denied them this privilege. Following the Muslim conquest of Makkah, the replacement ceremony was delayed until an incident where a woman inadvertently set fire to the Kiswa during prayers. It was then that Prophet Muhammad covered the Kaaba with a cloth from Yemen.
Under the rule of the Caliphs, the Kiswa ceremony was a state affair, with Egypt renowned for its intricate weaving artistry, entrusted with the task of designing the Kiswa.
Subsequently, during the Ottoman Empire’s reign, meticulous attention was given to selecting the most skilled craftsmen from Egypt for Kiswa weaving. It was during this era that black silk became the material of choice for the Kiswa. From then on, the tradition of using black cloth to drape the Kaaba was established.
In 160 CE, Al-Mahdi Al-Abbasi initiated the practice of applying a single-layer Kiswa to the Kaaba after removing the old one. Prior to this, the Kiswa had never been removed from the Kaaba, with new layers merely placed over the existing one, repeatedly.
The creation of the Kiswa cloth is deeply significant in Islamic culture, involving five intricate stages:
- Dyeing: Initially, the cloth is soaked and treated with a mixture of soap and water for 24 hours, resulting in a white base. It is then dyed in black, red, and green hues.
- Weaving: While hand-weaving was traditionally employed, modern techniques now utilize mechanical weaving for sections not requiring intricate detail.
- Printing: In this phase, designs and calligraphy intended for the Kiswa cloth are meticulously printed onto it.
- Embroidery: This stage is the most labor-intensive, involving careful embroidery using gold and silver threads to incorporate calligraphy and designs into the cloth. Verses are filled with cotton stuffing during this process.
- Finishing: The final step involves coordinating and positioning the corners of the Kiswa cloth to ensure that designs and verses are displayed correctly.
Here are some notable facts about the Kiswa of the Kaaba:
- Each year, the Kiswa of the Kaaba is meticulously cut into smaller pieces and distributed as gifts to various dignitaries to acknowledge their presence. Additionally, some portions are allocated to Hajj pilgrims.
- Comprising approximately 47 cloth pieces, the Kiswa of the Kaaba is stitched together to create a continuous length of around 658 meters. The cost of producing a Kiswa can amount to approximately SAR 17 million, depending on the specific requirements of the year.
- The fabric used for the Kaaba’s Kiswa is sourced from diverse regions including Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, and Baghdad, contributing to its unique composition and cultural significance.
- Over time, the date for changing the Kiswa of the Kaaba has shifted from the 10th of Dhul Hijjah to the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, aligning with current practices.
This annual crafting of the sacred Kiswa cloth exemplifies a deeply revered tradition. Adorning the Kaaba, it stands as one of the most profound and visually captivating elements within Masjid Al-Haram. Rooted in rich Islamic traditions, each step of its creation and replacement carries profound religious significance. The meticulous artistry showcased in its intricate motifs and calligraphy evokes a sense of wonder among all pilgrims, attesting to the unparalleled craftsmanship devoted to its making.
