The custodianship of the Noble Ka’bah is a great responsibility dedicated to serving the Sacred House, overseeing its affairs, from opening and closing its door to supervising its cleaning and washing on designated occasions. The custodianship, also known as Hijabah, is carried out by those called Sadanah or Hujabah, as they guard the Ka’bah from public access.
History of the Custodianship
The custodianship began with the construction of the Ka’bah by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them). It was entrusted to Ismail, who settled near the Sacred House of Allah and dedicated himself to its service.
Transfer of the Custodianship Through History
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The custodianship remained with Ismail’s descendants for a long period.
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It was taken over by the Jurhum tribe, then the Khuza’ah tribe, until it was reclaimed by Qusai ibn Kilab, the fourth great-grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s salah and salam be upon him).
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After Qusai, it was entrusted to his eldest son, Abdul Dar.
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The descendants of Abdul Dar, from Qusai’s lineage, continued to hold the custodianship during both the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras.
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During the time of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s salah and salam be upon him), the custodianship was held by Uthman ibn Talha from the Banu Abdul Dar.
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After Uthman’s passing without heirs, the custodianship was transferred to his cousin, Shaybah ibn Uthman, and it remains in his lineage to this day.
The Custodianship in Islam
When Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s salah and salam be upon him) conquered Makkah, he took the key to the Ka’bah from Uthman ibn Talha and entered the Ka’bah, purifying it from idols. Afterward, he returned the key to Uthman ibn Talha, saying: “Take it, O Banu Abi Talha (i.e., the custodianship), as an everlasting and hereditary duty; no one shall take it from you except an oppressor,” affirming that the custodianship would remain within his lineage.
The Custodianship Today
Today, the eldest custodian holds the key to the Ka’bah and oversees the ceremonies of its opening and interior washing. The Ka’bah is washed twice a year in the presence of the custodians, the ruler, princes, and honored guests. The chief custodian notifies the other custodians of the scheduled opening to ensure their participation in this great duty. The custodianship is not merely a functional task but a profound honor accompanied by a rich history dating back to the time of the prophets (peace be upon them), continuing to this day as part of Islam’s legacy.