The Kaabah is the most sacred and most important building within Islam, which is present at the centre of the Masjid al-Haram within Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is an emblem of solidarity to millions of Muslims who live in different parts of the world and a point of convergence of the Islamic religion. Muslims all over the world go on pilgrimage to Mecca known as Hajj pilgrimage every year and in Tawaf (going around this holy cube) they enact rites of the greatest worship. But there is one aspect that is not taken into consideration but is exceptionally important, and this aspect is the cloth that covers the Kaabah the Kiswa. The cloth is not mere physical covering but is loaded with deep significance of spiritual meaning and with rich history full of the Islamic tradition.
This article will present a discussion on Cloth of Kaabah, its history, and craftmanship significance as well as its religious and cultural values. Hajar travels being a Hajj and Umrah travel company will ensure that all the elements of pilgrimage are as important as the religious rituals done in the Masjid al-haram. Come along with us to unfold the story of this lovely object of faith.
What is the Cloth of Kaabah?
See the holy magnificence of the Kaabah which is adorned in the holy Cloth of Kaabah or Kiswa. This noble black dressing undergoes a change in a yearly course of the Hajj season, which is on the 9 th-day of Dhul-Hijjah during the day of Arafah. In addition to protecting it, the Kiswa also expresses respectfulness, reverence, and absolute submission to Allah (SWT).
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History of the Cloth of Kaabah
The Kiswa has a history dating back to early Islamic era and has also since incurred some changes through history. First of all, the Kaabah was covered with different materials including animal skins, leather, and even linen. But over the years, the Kiswa became something more sophisticated and symbolic that would be decorated with Quranic verses and highly detailed ornaments of art that could recognizable the grandeur and holiness of the sacred building.
The Kaabah had simple cloth when the Prophet Muhammad PBUH was alive. The Kiswa started to gain more and more importance after formation of the Islamic empire. The governors of different Islamic dynasties, e.g. Umayyads, Abbasids and Ottomans assumed the task of sending new Kiswas to Mecca, one more decorated than the previous one.
During the 20 th century, King Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia made great efforts to have the Kaabah draped in the best material annually. The Kiswa of today has been crafted in luxury materials such as silk and gold threads among others to showcase the splendor of the Islamic faith.
The Process of Making the Cloth of Kaabah
The manufacturing of the Kiswa is an intensive work and the work is done by skilled workers with a lot of care to details. Every year, a group of highly dedicated craftsmen in Saudi Arabia is busy weaving the cloth that will cover the Kaabah. The Kiswa is prepared using the best quality black silk material which is imported to achieve this. This silk is made in a special factory that had been set up in Mecca, where craftsmen carefully plan and sew the detailed patterns and verses in the Quran into the material.
Kiswa does not only constitute a cloth work but a masterpiece that does not come without thinking and design. It is embroidered in gold and silver and some verses of the Holy Quran, such as verses, “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet (Surah Al- Ahzab 33:56) are also so beautifully written therein. These precious materials add even more value to the cloth as far as spiritual value is concerned and it ends up being one of the most valuable cloths in the world.
The Spiritual Significance of the Cloth of Kaabah
Cloth of Kaabah is of great religious implication to Muslims at large. By touching or looking at the Kiswa, Muslims do not only navigate around the Kaabah in the process of worship when doing Tawaf during Hajj or Umrah, they do also hope to be close to Allah by doing so. The Kiswa is a physical representation of the sanctity of the Kaabah reminding pilgrims of the presence of god that wraps around the holy site.
In addition, the Kiswa is the symbol of unity of the Muslim Ummah. The participation of all Muslims regardless of classes unites in the same country and perform a Tawaf around Kaabah under the same cloth signifies the equality of all the believers in the eyes of Allah (SWT). It is not anchored along the social, economic and cultural lines since it has united people through the nature of their shared devotion to the Creator.
Cloth of Kaabah: A Sacred Keepsake for Pilgrims
What is also special about the Kiswa is that sometimes the pieces of it are given to the pilgrims as their sacred ones to keep. They are sliced into smaller parts and presented to important figures or dignitaries or they can be stored by some of the most faithful pilgrims as a reminder of their visit to the sacred place of Mecca. The possession of a piece of Kiswa is considered the mark of honor and the God blight.
The Kiswa During Hajj
The use of the Kiswa is particularly noticeable during Hajj, the pilgrimage that takes place every year and introduces millions of Muslims to Mecca. Changing the Kiswa is very important as it is changed on a yearly basis. This is an occasion where believers go around the Kaabah and observe this change in scenery as the holy space is covered up. It is also a time of reflection to the pilgrims in that, they are sober and aware of their purification and also renewal of the commitment of the pilgrims to worship.
Cloth of Kaabah: A Link to the Past and the Future
The Cloth of Kaabah is, as much as possible, an item not only in the present but also a relay of the past and the future. Each new Kiswa bears with it the history of the millions of believers to have worshipped at the Kaabah throughout the centuries. The fabric can be expressed as the reminder of the persistence of the Islamic faith and infinite bond between Allah (SWT) and his creation.
The Kiswa reminds the mercy of Allah as well. The holy cloth is renewed each year with another new cover representing a rejuvenation of the religion, and each believer wants a rejuvenation of his or her faith with Allah.
Why Pilgrims Should Visit Mecca Through Hajar Travels
Being a pilgrim, seeing the beauty and sanctity of the Cloth of Kaabah with own eyes is an experience that one cannot forget when going over pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. Hajar Travels has well-crafted Hajj and Umrah packages that will help you to complete your spiritual journey in the most comfortable and satisfactory way. We will take you through the rituals to accommodation, transportation and everything that makes your experience at Mecca, a worthwhile and blessed journey.
Following Hajar Travels will allow you to make the journey which will bring you closer to the Kaabah and the sacred cloth and connection to the legacy of devotion, worship and unifying power of Islam.
Cloth of Kaabah: Preserving Tradition and Embracing Modernity
In the contemporary society, although the making of the Kiswa is based on the old methods, technology has also contributed to the levels that are associated with quality. The manufacturing process is well-supervised, and best methods have been added in the making of the cloth without compromising the traditional skills. Such equilibrium between the past and the present is such that the Cloth of Kaabah stays both the marker of the eternality in the Islamic religion and the advancement of the Muslim civilization.
Conclusion
The Cloth of Kaabah is not only a physical wrapping to the sacred building but also a representation of the dedication, belief and harmony of Muslim Ummah. It is one of the most sacred things in Islam due to its long history, sophisticated art, and spiritual meaning. When you go on your pilgrimage, the sacredness of the Kaabah and its cloth should motivate you, and make you get closer to Allah (SWT). Hajar Travels will make sure that your Hajj or Umrah trip will be strewn with the bliss of this blessed experience. We accompany you along the way to the very core of Islam where the Cloth of Kaabah awaits to cover you by its solemn aura.
