Ghilaf-e-Kaaba (Kiswah) – Complete Guide
What is Ghilaf-e-Kaaba?
The Ghilaf-e-Kaaba, also called the Kiswah, is the black cloth that covers the Kaaba in Makkah.
It is made from high-quality silk and decorated with beautiful verses from the Holy Quran in gold and silver thread. This sacred covering represents respect, honor, and the spiritual importance of the Kaaba for Muslims around the world.
Millions of pilgrims who use umrah taxi service, taxi makkah, or makkah ziyarat taxi visit the Kaaba and see this blessed covering during their journey.
What Does “Kiswah” Mean?
The word Kiswah means a garment used to cover something. In Islam, it refers to the cloth that covers the Kaaba.
Made from black silk
Decorated with Quranic verses
Attached with strong rings to the Kaaba
How is the Kiswah Made?
The Kiswah is produced in a special factory in Makkah called the Kiswah Factory.
Key facts:
Made from about 670 kg of silk
Uses gold and silver threads
Consists of multiple stitched pieces
Includes a long decorative belt with Quranic verses
The process takes almost a full year and includes:
Dyeing the silk black
Weaving the fabric
Embroidering Quranic verses
Stitching all parts together
Experts carefully check every piece to ensure quality and durability
Ghilaf-e-Kaaba Changing Ceremony
The Kiswah is replaced once every year on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, during Hajj.
Important details:
The ceremony starts after Fajr prayer
It takes several hours to complete
The old Kiswah is removed carefully
The new one is placed piece by piece
The old cloth is later cut into pieces and gifted to important people and institutions.
Where is the Kiswah Made?
The Kiswah is made in Makkah under the supervision of the Saudi government
The factory has skilled workers and embroidery experts who spend months creating detailed designs using gold and silver threads.
This shows the high level of care and respect given to the Kaaba.
Materials Used in Kiswah
The Ghilaf-e-Kaaba is made using:
120 kg gold thread
100 kg silver thread
670 kg silk
The total cost is around millions of Saudi Riyals, showing its importance and value.
Spiritual Importance
The Kiswah is not just a cloth. It has deep meaning for Muslims.
It represents honor of the Kaaba
It reminds pilgrims of unity and faith
It enhances the spiritual experience of Hajj and Umrah
Pilgrims traveling through jeddah to makkah taxi, makkah to madinah taxi, or taxi service in madinah often visit the Kaaba and feel a strong connection when seeing the Kiswah.