Unveiling the mysteries of the Kaabas interior and exterior coverings

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The Kaaba, located at the center of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a significant site for Muslims worldwide. The structure measures 13.1m high, 12.8m long, and 11.03m wide. According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was originally built by Prophet Abraham and his son Prophet Ishmael as a place of worship.

The Kaaba’s exterior is draped in 670kg of silk, with an additional 200kg of gold and silver thread embroidered on it. The structure features a gold door on its northeastern side, which stands over two meters above the ground. The door contains 280kg of pure gold and measures three point one metres in height and 1.9m in width.

The interior of the Kaaba is modest, with three wooden pillars supporting the roof and a staircase leading to the roof. Marble lines the floors and walls, while lanterns hang from the ceiling. The interior textiles are made up of various colors, including red, green, and dark blue, arranged in a zig-zag style.

The Kaaba’s covering is known as the Kiswah, which is a black silk cloth that drapes the structure. The term “Kiswah” comes from the Arabic root k-s-w, meaning “to cover” or “to drape.” Historically, the Kiswah was made up of red and green colors in a zig-zag style, but it has been replaced with dark blue over time.

During Hajj, the lower edges of the Kiswah are carefully lifted to preserve and protect it. The main element of the Kiswah is the black silk cloth that drapes the Kaaba, which measures 14m high and consists of 47 different strips of cloth. A decorative belt known as the hizam runs along about two-thirds of the way up the walls.

The Kaaba’s covering is believed to have pre-Islamic origins, with some historians attributing its first covering to Yemeni King Tubba As’ad Kamil in 400 CE. However, there is no definitive evidence to confirm this theory.

Source: Al Jazeera