The tradition of replacing Kiswah Ka'bah every 1 Muharam: History and meaning

Jakarta – The tradition of replacing the Ka’bah Kiswah is performed every 1 Muharam in the Hijri calendar that coincides with the commemoration of the Islamic New Year. However, do you know, how is history and meaning behind this sacred ritual? Kiswah or cloth covering the kaaba has a high spiritual value for Muslims around the world. The substitute is not only as a symbolic form, but also reflects respect for the holy house of Muslims. What is the Ka’bah Kiswah? Kiswah is a cloth used to cover the Kaaba building. In language comes the term Kiswah of the Arabic word كِسْوَidel (Kiswah) which means clothing or covering. In the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), Kiswah is interpreted as ‘clothing’, which comes from the root of the Arabic word كَا (cacheH) which means to use or cover. Roll to continue with the content Kiswah Ka’bah is made of high quality dust decorated with embroidery of the sacred Qur’an with gold and silver wires. The old Kiswah is replaced each year with a new one in a sacred march in 1 Muharam. The tradition of replacing Kiswah has actually been underway since the time before Islam. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, he also replaced Kiswah with Yemen. Over time, the caliph and Islamic kings continued this tradition, also in the era of the Ottoman Empire until now under the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cited on the official website of the general provision for the affairs of the two sacred mosques (Gph.gov.sa), Kiswah was initially sent out of Egypt. But since 1927, Saudi Arabia has started producing its own Kiswah, and since 1962 the making of Kiswah has been specially conducted by the Raja Abdul Aziz complex in Makkah. The holy march of the tradition of every 1 Muharam replacement of Kiswah is officially performed every 1 Muharam, or the beginning of the Islamic New Year. This march begins after the Dawn prayer by rolling the old cloth and then gradually installing a new cloth on each side of the kaaba. Start information from the Saudi Perse Agency (Spa.gov.sa), Kiswah consists only of four sides and curtains from the Kaaba (Al-Kiswa) door. The replacement process was led by an expert technician team from the Kiswah who made complex and was directly monitored by the general president of the affairs of the two sacred mosques. The tradition of replacing the Ka’bah Kiswah is not just an annual routine, but a form of respect and purification of the Kaaba. This momentum is also a reminder of the Islamic New Year and the spirit of spiritual renewal for Muslims around the world. (WIA/IMK) HOEGENG Awards 2025 Read the inspiring story of the exemplary police candidate here