Question: 

I have a question about the kiswa covering of the ka'ba. Why is there a covering for the ka'ba and was there a kiswa in the days of our beloved Nabee (sallalhu alaihi wasalm)? 

Answer: 

There are a number of opinions recorded in regards to the covering of the Ka’aba Sharif. However, we have recorded some of the opinions from Fathul Baari. Hafez Ibn Hajar (Rahmatullahi alaih) has written in Fathul Baari that according to some Ulama the first to cover the Ka’aba Sharif was Ibrahim Alaihis-Salaam, whilst others have said that Adnaan was the first to cover the Ka’aba Sharif with a leather mat.

According to Allama Waaqidi (Rahmatullahi alaih), the Ka’aba Sharif was covered during the days of Jaahiliyya with a leather mat, then Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam covered it with a Yemeni cloth. Thereafter it was covered by Hadhrat Umar Radhiallahu Anhu and Hadhrat Uthman Radhiallahu Anhu and many years later, it was covered by Hajjaj Bin Yusuf with silk.

From the above explanation it is clear that the Ka’aba Sharif was covered in the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam but no apparent reason has been mentioned for placing a Kiswa/covering on the Ka’aba Sharif.

وزعم بعض علمائنا أن أول من كسا الكعبة إسماعيل عليه السلام وحكى الزبير بن بكار عن بعض علمائهم أن عدنان أول من وضع أنصاب الحرم وأول من كسا الكعبة أو كسيت في زمنه وحكى البلاذري أن أول من كساها الأنطاع عدنان بن أد وروى الواقدي أيضا عن إبراهيم بن أبي ربيعة قال كسى البيت في الجاهلية الأنطاع ثم كساه رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم الثياب اليمانية ثم كساه عمر وعثمان القباطي ثم كساه الحجاج الديباج )فتح الباري(

And Allah Ta’aala knows best!

ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B 

Date: 15 Dhul Hijjah 1441 

English Date: 06 August 2020