إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] – blessed and a guidance for the worlds.

[Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:96]

After Prophet Muhammed ﷺ gained victory over Makkah in the 8th Hijri and Islam was openly being accepted, Uthman Ibn Talha was ordered to open the doors of the Kaaba. He was a non-believer and had locked the doors upon hearing of the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ. However, he was told that Allah had revealed a verse upon the rightful owner of caretaker of the Kaaba; the tribe of Bani Shaiba, he willingly accepted Islam and became a close companion of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Tribe of Bani Shaiba

The honor of caretaking the Kaaba has been bestowed upon the ancestors of the tribe of Shaiba since the time of Prophet Ibrahim. Currently, the oldest member of the Shaiba family Dr. Saleh Bin Zain Al-Abidine Al-Shaiba is the guardian and caretaker of the Kaaba. He is the 110th caretaker from the lineage of Uthman Ibn Talha.

Islamic researcher Mohi Eddin Al-Hashemi, who specializes in the two holy mosques, states the historical succession of the key and caretaking of the Kaaba has been through multiple hands. Yet, the guardianship came back to those who Allah wished to bestow the honor upon.

Allah mentions in the Quran, the only Ayah to be revealed inside the Kaaba, 

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا

Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners;1 and when you judge between people, judge with fairness. What a noble commandment from Allah to you! Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

[Surah An-Nisa, 4:58]

Sadin – Keeper of The Kaaba

The Sadin bestowed with the blessed task of the guardianship of the Kaaba is in charge of cleaning, changing the Kiswah, and opening and closing the doors of the Kaaba. And repairing the keys or any damage occurring to the Kaaba walls or cloth. 

Currently, the Kaaba is opened only twice a year, in Shabaan and Muharram. Pilgrims are not allowed to enter except for guests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The House of Allah is cleansed by officials in an elaborate ritual called Ghusl-E-Kabah with Zamzam and rose water, followed by prayers and tawaf. 

Since 1977, the Kiswah or the cloth that covers the walls of the Kaaba is made at The Kiswah Al Kaaba factory in Makkah by the Saudi Arabian Government.

The Keys of Kaaba

Over the centuries, the number of Kaaba keys has varied from 40 to 58. However, numerous keys are displayed in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, the Lourve in Paris, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt.

A Symbol of Unity

Our world is always in chaos. We often find ourselves disconnected due to mental or physical obstacles. But this story of trust within a small Makkan family and the House of Allah reminds us of our shared heritage and bonds. 

The legacy of Kaaba and its Keepers shows us unity, truthfulness, and selfless duty toward Allah.