Curtain of the Ka'ba: Difference between revisions

'''Curtain of the Kaʿba''', also known as '''Kiswa''' (Arabic: {{ia|الكسوة}}), is a black fabric that covers the walls of the [[Ka'ba]]. Covering the Ka'ba with a curtain is considered a sign of respect. The tradition of draping the Ka'ba with fabrics of various colors and materials dates back to ancient times, predating the advent of Islam. Historical sources record events related to the preparation and installation of curtain of the Ka'ba. Additionally, curtain of the Ka'ba is the subject of certain legal rulings in Islamic jurisprudence.

Additionally, curtain of the Ka'ba is the subject of certain legal rulings, with the most significant being the permission to cover the Ka'ba with silk.<ref>Ḥillī, ''Taḥrīr al-aḥkām al-sharʿiyya ʿalā madhhab al-imāmiyya'', vol. 4, p. 363; Samhūdī, ''Wafāʾ al-wafā bi akhbār dar al-Muṣṭafā'', vol. 2, p. 140; Bahūtī, ''Kashf al-qināʿ'', vol. 3, p. 180.</ref> Impermissibility of tearing, cutting, buying, and selling the curtain of the Ka'ba according to the viewpoint of some Shia Muslims and also some followers of the Shafi'i school, is contrary to the common perspective among Sunnis.<ref>Ḥillī, ''Tadhkirat al-fuqahāʾ'', vol. 7, p. 380; Rāfiʿī, ''Fatḥ al-ʿazīz'', vol. 7, p. 513.</ref> Permissibility or impermissibility of adorning it with gold and silver,<ref>Shirwānī, ''Al-Ḥawāshī'', vol. 1, p. 121; Ḥalabī, ''Al-Sīra al-ḥalabiyya'', vol. 1, p. 280.</ref>and permission to enter behind the curtain for supplication.<ref>Damyāṭī, ''Iʿāna al-ṭālibīn'', vol. 2, p. 95.</ref>

Weaving of new curtains for the [[Ka'ba]] continued by the [[Quraysh]], and after the advent of Islam, it was carried on by the Prophet and his successors. This practice experienced significant development during certain periods of the [[Abbasid era]], with garment of the Ka'ba being occasionally replaced three times a year.<ref>Ḥalabī, ''Al-Sīra al-ḥalabiyya'', vol. 1, p. 281; Imām Aḥmad, ''Fī riḥāb al-bayt al-ʿatīq'', vol. 1, p. 211; Amīn, ''Kashf al-irtīyāb'', p. 360.</ref>Kings of other Islamic lands <ref>Ibn Kathīr, ''Al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya'', vol. 13, p. 26.</ref> And some wealthy individuals would occasionally procure curtain of the Ka'ba and send it to [[Mecca]].<ref>Ibn Khaldūn, ''Tārīkh Ibn Khaldūn'', vol. 3, p. 513; Ibn Athīr al-Jazarī, ''Al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh'', vol. 11, p. 65; Nawīrī, ''Nihāyat al-irb'', vol. 23, p. 284.</ref>

===The weaving of curtain of the Ka'ba in Egypt===

After the extinction of the Abbasids (in 659 AH/ 1260-1), providing the covering for the Ka'ba became the exclusive responsibility of the rulers of [[Egypt]] from 661 AH/1262-3 onward.<ref>Amīn, ''Kashf al-irtīyāb'', p. 360.</ref> During the Ottoman Empire era, the weaving of the curtain also took place in Egypt.<ref>Sakhāwī, ''Al-Dhaw ʾ al-lāmiʿ'', vol. 4, p. 26; Bāslāma, ''Tārīkh al-kaʿba al-muʿaẓẓama'', p. 320.</ref> In Egypt, since the [[Mamluk era]], endowments and special workshops were allocated for the production of materials for fabric weaving.<ref>Sakhāwī, ''Al-Tuḥfat al-laṭīfa fī tārīkh al-Madīna al-sharīfa'', vol. 2, p. 107; Fāsī al-Makkī, ''Shifāʾ al-gharām bi akhbār al-balad al-ḥarām'', vol. 1, p. 123; Bāslāma, ''Tārīkh al-kaʿba al-muʿaẓẓama'', p. 317; Imām Aḥmad, ''Fī riḥāb al-bayt al-ʿatīq'', p. 216; Ḥamdī, ''Mawsū ʿa  al-mafāhīm'', vol. 1, p. 553.</ref>

===The curtain-weaving workshop in Mecca===

With the establishment of the [[Al Saud government]], a workshop in [[Mecca]] was dedicated to the weaving of the curtain.<ref>Daqan,  ''Kaʿba wa Jamie ān'', p. 172; Bāslāma, ''Tārīkh al-kaʿba al-muʿaẓẓama'', p. 347.</ref> This practice continued until 1358/ 1939-40 when the Egyptian government requested Abdulaziz to allow the transportation of another curtain from Egypt. Abdulaziz accepted this request, and the workshop was closed. The curtain was once again brought from Egypt. This continued until 1382/1962-3 when, due to the disagreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the sending of the Kaaba's covering from Egypt was halted. Since then, the weaving of the Kaaba's curtain in Mecca has continued in the remaining curtain workshop.<ref>Imām Aḥmad, ''Fī riḥāb al-bayt al-ʿatīq'', vol. 1, p. 215; Bāslāma, ''Tārīkh al-kaʿba al-muʿaẓẓama'', p. 331-332; Daqan, Kaʿba wa Jamie ān, p. 175-178.</ref>

==The size and weight of curtain of the Ka'ba==

Curtain of the Ka'ba is composed of five main parts, each covering one side of the Kaaba. The fifth piece encompasses the Kaaba's door, known as the "Burqa'." In total, garment of the Ka'ba consists of 54 pieces, with each piece measuring 14 meters in length and 95 centimeters in width. The total area of the curtain is 2650 square meters, and its weight reaches two tons.<ref>Imām Aḥmad, ''Fī riḥāb al-bayt al-ʿatīq'', vol. 1, p. 215; Bāslāma, ''Tārīkh al-kaʿba al-muʿaẓẓama'', p. 474.</ref> Many of the pieces, inscriptions, and patterns on curtain of the Ka'ba are adorned with gilding.<ref>Sādiqī Ardistānī, ''Hajj az mīqāt tā mīʿād'', vol. 55, p. 133.</ref>

(We have seen thee turning thy face about in the heaven now We will surely turn thee to a direction that shall satisfy .) <ref>Sura Al-Baqarah, 2:144.</ref>