Kiswa

the Kiswa on the Kaaba holds deep significance as a symbol of reverence and honor. The Kiswa refers to the black cloth that covers the Kaaba, the sacred structure located at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. This cloth is draped over the Kaaba and is replaced annually during the Hajj pilgrimage.

The tradition of covering the Kaaba with a cloth dates back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma’il (Ishmael), who are believed to have rebuilt the Kaaba as a place of worship for the one true God. The practice of dressing the Kaaba in a black cloth became established over time and is now a central ritual in Islamic tradition.

The Kiswa is made of high-quality black silk and adorned with intricate calligraphy embroidered in gold thread. The cloth is traditionally manufactured in Mecca by skilled artisans and is replaced on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which coincides with the Day of Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage.

The Kiswah, in all its grandeur is covered in a repeated calligraphy pattern that reads,

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ‎

There is no god but God, and Muhammad ﷺ is the messenger of God.

سبحان الله وبحمده، سبحان الله العظيم

Glory is to Allah and all praise is to Him, glory is to Allah the great.

اللَّه

Allah

The gold plaque is sprayed painted in a dust gold color to resemmble the gold thread that is used for the calligraphy on the kiswah. The calligraphy on this artwork reads,

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

“Verily, Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet! O believers, send blessings upon him and prayers of peace in full submission!”