The ceremony for handing over the keys of the Holy Kaaba and the Maqam Ibrahim (Shrine of Prophet Ibrahim’s standing place) took place in Makkah on Monday. Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Saleh Al-Shaibi, son of the late Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaibi, presented the keys to Sheikh Abdul Wahhab bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi, marking him as the 78th caretaker of the Kaaba.
Sheikh Abdul Wahhab, the oldest member of the Al-Shaiba family, succeeded Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaibi, the senior caretaker of the Kaaba who passed away last Friday. Traditionally, the keys of the Kaaba and Maqam Ibrahim are handed over to the oldest member of the Al-Shaiba family.
Upon receiving the key, Sheikh Abdul Wahhab expressed, “May God grant me success in carrying out this duty under the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.” He will open the Kaaba for the annual ceremonial washing on Muharram 15, 1446.
The caretaker of the Kaaba (sadin) is the sole person who holds the key and manages all related duties, including changing its kiswa (cover), washing, perfuming, and opening and closing it. The Bani Shaiba family has held this responsibility since the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Shaiba family honors the tradition set by the Prophet (PBUH) by passing down the role of Kaaba keeper to its oldest member. When the Prophet (PBUH) entered the Kaaba after conquering Makkah, he destroyed all idols, washed the Kaaba, closed its gate, and entrusted the key to Othman Bin Talha of the Bani Shaiba family, saying, “These keys will remain with you until the Day of Judgment. No one can take it away from you except an oppressor.”
The Al-Shaiba family has maintained the role of Kaaba keepers as God commanded through the only verse revealed inside the Kaaba: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they belong...”
Dr. Saleh Al-Shaibi, a renowned scholar, academic, and author, served as the senior keeper of the Kaaba for over a decade. He became the 77th key holder of the Kaaba after his uncle Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Shaibi passed away in October 2014 and remained in this position until his death.
During the modern Saudi era, Dr. Saleh Al-Shaibi was the 10th senior keeper and frequently accompanied Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman during the ceremonial Kaaba washing. Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaibi has now been succeeded by Sheikh Abdul Wahhab Al-Shaibi, the eldest member of the family.
