Key holder and Caretaker of Kaaba Dr Saleh Al-Shaiba no more
Chief Key holder of the Holy Kaaba, Dr Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaiba, passed away early in the morning Saturday June 22, 2024
[Image posted by HaramainInfo.]
Makkah al Mukarramah: Chief Key holder of the Holy Kaaba, Dr Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaiba, passed away early in the morning Saturday June 22, 2024.
Dr Saleh Al-Shaiba has been ailing for a long time.
Dr Al-Shaiba was known as the 109th successor to Prophet Muhammad's companion Uthman ibn Talha and the 109th guardian of the Kaaba.
The funeral prayer of Dr Al Shaiba was held after Fajr prayers at Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah Saturday. He was later laid to rest in Al-Mualla Cemetery, according to Khaleej Times.
For about 1600 years, the Banu Shaiba tribe, the guardians of the Kaaba, have held the keys. Sacred duties also called as "Sadna Baytullah", that are performed by them, include caring for the Kaaba, opening and closing it, cleaning, preparing and repairing its cover as needed.
Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Chair, Fiqh Council of North America and Dean, The Islamic Seminary of America, has this explanation to make about caretakers of Holy Kaaba:
Access to the Kaaba has always been controlled by a designated keyholder, a role passed down from one individual to another.
During the conquest of Makkah, the key to the kabaa was forcibly taken from Uthman ibn Talha. Yet, when the Prophet Muhammad (saws) entered the Kaaba, a divine command was revealed inside the Kaaba itself:
"Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners...", (Quran 4:58).
This incident cemented the sublime moral fiber of the Prophet (saws) and is a testament to the truth of Islam. At arguably the biggest Triumph of the early Muslims against their biggest enemies the Quraish, the Prophet is reminded that even the Key to the kabaa cannot be unjustly taken.
When Uthman ibn Talha heard that he was commanded to keep the Key, he immidiately said the Shahdah. The Prophet’s assurance that Uthman’s family would forever hold the Kaaba Keys has stood the test of time, symbolizing an unbroken chain to the time of the Prophet.
As we reflect on Sheikh Saleh’s legacy, we are reminded of the enduring virtues of trust and righteousness of Islam that bind us across generations.
This is why the Key of the Kaaba remains unchanged even if its door is replaced. As explained above, the Key holder will always come from the Al-Shaiba family according to the will of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Even the King, Crown Prince or Emir of Makkah who come for the customary washing of Holy Kaaba call the family for the Key of the Holy Site.
The successors of Hadhrat Uthman ibn Talha are one among the very few family members of the Prophet living in Makkah today.
It is said there are many many more family members of the companions of the Prophet currently living in Makkah and Madinah. But they hide their identities.
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