Zayna S- Curtain for Door of the Ka‘bah- Object page
Title: Curtain for Door of the Ka‘bah
Date: 1855–6 AD (1272 AH)
Medium: Black silk, with red and green silk appliqués with silver and gold wire embroidery
Credit Line: Khalili Collections: Hajj and The Arts of Pilgrimage, #249
This kiswa acts as a cover over the door of the Ka’bah and it was patronized by Sultan Abdülmejid I. It is adorned with red and green silk appliqués and beautiful inscriptions of surah al-Ikhlas (112), surah al-Naml (27:30), surah al-Isra’ (17:80), and surah al-Fath (48:27). This kiswa is not meant to merely hide the Ka'bah, but rather, honor it and its beauty. Above the door opening, the shahada, ‘There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is his servant and messenger,’ is elegantly written. These Quranic inscriptions aim to bring the viewer closer to Allah and His Prophet, diverting the onlookers' attention from the material world. Increasing embellishments were later added to kiswas to further beautify and honor the Ka’bah. However, some argue that these additions took away from the spiritual importance of kiswas and transformed them into a symbol of political strength and status.
For more information on this kiswa click HERE to see the object catalogue