Muslims across the globe are gearing up for their most sacred journey, the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, lies at the center of Hajj rituals.
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building located at the center of Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Great Mosque) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Holy Kaaba is covered with a black silk cloth (Kiswah), adorned with silk, gold, and silver embroidery.
Although millions of Muslims perform Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage each year, only few people are allowed to enter the Kaaba. These include high-ranking Muslim dignitaries, prominent clerics and scholars, as well as special guests.
In this article, we will explore the interior of the Kaaba, offering a privileged glimpse into the aesthetic richness of its details.
Kaaba Significance in Islam
The Kaaba is the center of worship (Qibla) for Muslims all over the world. During their prayers, Muslims face the direction of the Kaaba.
The Kaaba also has a great significance in the spiritual journey of Hajj. Pilgrims travel to Makkah during the first ten days of Dhu’al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. They undertake a set of rituals performed by Prophet Mohammed PBUH centuries ago. Hajj rituals can be traced back to the time of Prophets Ibrahim and Ismael.
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Upon arriving in Makkah, pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction for the arrival Tawaf. They perform another Tawaf, Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf Al-Wadaa). During this rite, they circumambulate the Kaaba seven times right before leaving Makkah in the last ritual of Hajj.
Hajj lasts four to six days depending on the pilgrim’s speed. This year, the sacred journey is expected to take place from June 4-9, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Inside Kaaba
The Kaaba interior spans an area of about 180 square meters. It has three wooden pillars holding its roof, built by Prophet’s companion, Abdullah bin Zubair, each with a height of 9 meters.
The wooden pillars have a dark brown color; each has a perimeter of about 150 centimeters and a diameter of 44 centimeters.
To the right of this area lies Bab al-Tawbah (The Door of Repentance), which has a staircase leading to the roof. Bab al-Tawbah door is made from pure gold, while the staircase consists of 50 steps made from aluminum and crystal.
Kaaba Lanterns
A number of lanterns and incense burners hang from the ceiling. Those lanterns, which were gifts from rulers and wealthy benefactors over the ages, are made from copper, silver, and glass. They are adorned with Quranic verses and some of them carry the names of rulers who gifted them.
There is also a dark-colored marble spot, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to pray inside the Kaaba.
The wooden pillars area also contains a large box for storing the Kaaba perfuming materials. It includes Oud and Taif Rose oils as well as silver incense burners. These items are used to perfume and incense the interior of the Kaaba after its washing with Zamzam and rose waters.
Marble Walls
The internal floor of the Kaaba is covered with white marble, with a strip of black marble bordering it. Meanwhile, the walls are covered with rose-colored marble stones. They are constructed in a way that ensures they do not come into contact with the Kaaba’s original walls.
A large green cloth covers the upper part of the wall, extending 5 meters up to the ceiling. It is adorned with a white inscription of the Islamic Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith: There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).
Decorative Stones
The interior of the Kaaba is adorned with eight decorative stones carrying scripts in Thuluth Arabic calligraphy and one stone carrying Kufic script. They all date back to after the sixth century AH.
The inscriptions on these stones, which use precious and colorful pieces of marble, commemorate the architectural contributions of Saudi Arabia’s past rulers to Islam’s holiest site.
Moreover, the eastern wall carries a document commemorating King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud’s renovations and expansion of the Kaaba.
