The door of the Holy Kaaba is located on its eastern side and is elevated approximately 2.25 meters above the Mataf (the circumambulation area). It has a height of 3.10 meters and a width of 2 meters and has been replaced multiple times. The current door was installed by the order of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz. While performing Tawaf around the House of Allah, he reached the door of the Kaaba and instructed that a new door be made from pure gold. The project cost 13 million Saudi riyals and required approximately 280 kilograms of pure gold. Its construction took an entire year and was completed in 1398 AH. The section of the Kaaba’s covering that drape over the door is called the “Burqa.”
The door of the Kaaba has a special key that is 25 centimeters long and is kept in special cloth. This key is held by the chief guardian of the Sacred House, who belongs to the Al-Shaiba family. The Kaaba has never been opened at night, neither during the pre-Islamic era nor in Islam.
The Mizab of the Holy Kaaba:
The Mizab (rainwater spout) of the Honored Kaaba is located on the northern side above the Hijr Ismail. It serves as a channel for rainwater and assists in washing the roof of the Kaaba, allowing water to flow down.
The Quraysh were the first to install a Mizab for the Kaaba when they rebuilt it during the 35th year of the Prophet’s (PBUH) life. This Mizab has been replaced multiple times, most notably by Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan bin Muhammad Khan in 1276 AH. Later, during the reign of King Saud, some restorations were made, and nails were placed on the upper section for pigeons to perch on. During King Fahd’s expansion and major renovations of the Kaaba in 1417 AH, the Mizab was replaced with a more beautiful and durable one, which remains in place to this day.
Treasures and Belongings of the Holy Kaaba:
When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) built the Honored Kaaba, he created a 1.5-meter-deep cavity on the right side of the structure to store its treasures and gifts. This vault, known as Jubb or Bi’r al-Akhsaf, was used for safekeeping.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) found 70 Uqiyyah of gold inside the House of Allah, which had been gifted to the Kaaba, and he left them untouched. Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) followed the same practice.
The historian Ghazi recorded that a serpent lived inside this vault and guarded the Kaaba’s treasure. When the Quraysh decided to remove it during the Kaaba’s reconstruction, Allah sent a bird that carried it away. The treasure of the Kaaba is also called Abraq, signifying swift divine retribution upon anyone who intends to seize it unjustly.
Scholars have differed on whether the Kaaba’s treasure can be used. The majority opinion is that it can be utilized for the maintenance of the Kaaba or for the general welfare of Muslims.
During the Kaaba’s reconstruction in 1040 AH, its treasures and donations were concealed, and no known investigation has documented their whereabouts. Additionally, the cavity inside the Kaaba has been buried.
In the past, valuable objects, gifts, and historical documents were hung inside the Kaaba as a mark of reverence. These included the Mu’allaqat (Seven Odes), the oppressive Quraysh treaty boycotting Banu Hashim and Banu Abdul Muttalib, as well as various agreements and pledges from caliphs. The historian of Al-Khamis mentioned that when Abdul Muttalib excavated the Zamzam well, he found two golden gazelle statues among other gifts dedicated to the Kaaba by Sasan bin Babak, a Persian ruler.
One of the most famous objects hung inside the Kaaba during the Islamic era was the two horns of the ram sacrificed by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in place of his son Ismail. This is recorded in the history of Al-Azraqi. However, these artifacts perished during the reconstruction by Abdullah bin Zubair in 65 AHS due to excessive handling.
Other gifts to the Kaaba have included golden symbols of the sun and moon, necklaces, chandeliers, and lamps donated by rulers, caliphs, and wealthy individuals of Mecca.
Al-Mi’jan:
Al-Mi’jan is a small depression attached to the eastern wall of the Honored Kaaba, located between the Kaaba’s door and the Iraqi corner. It measures 2 meters in length, 112 centimeters in width, and 28 centimeters in depth.
Some say this was the original location of Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Abraham). Others believe it marks the prayer spot of the Prophet (PBUH) on the day of the conquest of Mecca, after he emerged from the Kaaba. Some have also suggested that this is where Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) prayed.
However, the claim that it was used by Ismail (peace be upon him) to prepare the mortar for building the Kaaba is unlikely, as the Kaaba was constructed without mortar and had no roof at the time. Similarly, the idea that it was used to drain water after washing the Kaaba has been refuted by historians such as Ibn Jubayr.
The distinguished Islamic historian Muhammad Tahir al-Kurdi researched this matter in his book Al-Tarikh al-Qawim li-Makkah wa Bayt Allah al-Karim and stated that this depression was originally part of the Mataf (circumambulation area) and was marked with white pebbles. However, when the Mataf was paved with marble, this area was converted into a small basin to preserve its historical significance. Later, when pilgrims frequently slipped on it, authorities filled it in 1377 AH / 1966 CE, marking its location with a square-shaped outline of differently colored marble tiles, with inscriptions that are now difficult to read.
Muhammad Tahir al-Kurdi also noted that these inscribed stones, numbering eight, are among the most valuable Islamic relics, with engravings dating back to 631 AH. Those who renovated the Mataf and the Shadharwan (lower covering of the Kaaba) carefully preserved these stones in their original place. Their color is a reddish-yellow hue.
