The Kaaba is a building at the center of Islam’s most important mosque, Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the most sacred site in Islam. Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during daily prayers, and all Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Kaaba at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
The Kaaba is an ancient stone structure whose origins predate Islam. According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was built by Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) as the first house of worship to the one true God. After a period of pagan worship at the site, the prophet Muhammad conquered Mecca in 630 CE and rededicated the shrine to Allah. Since then, the Kaaba has served as the qibla, or direction of prayer, for Muslims worldwide.
The Kaaba is located within a sacred mosque known as al-Masjid al-Haram, or the Sacred Mosque. This mosque surrounds the Kaaba on all sides and hosts millions of pilgrims annually during the hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The mosque has been expanded and renovated many times over the centuries to accommodate ever-growing numbers of pilgrims.
The Guardians of the Kaaba
The Kaaba and the Sacred Mosque are under the protection of official guardians known as the Bani Shaybah (Sons of the Old Woman). The Bani Shaybah trace their role as guardians of the Kaaba back to pre-Islamic times. According to tradition, the tribe’s ancestor was a woman named Suhayla bint Abd Manaf, who lived during the era of Qusai ibn Kilab, the great-great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad.
Qusai appointed Suhayla’s descendants to be the key keepers of the Kaaba. He entrusted them with duties such as cleaning the Kaaba, providing water to pilgrims, guarding the keys to the Kaaba door, and arranging for the care and feeding of pilgrims. These duties became hereditary positions passed down among Suhayla’s descendants, who became known as the Bani Shaybah.
Today there are approximately 5,000 members of the Bani Shaybah tribe. A few dozen serve as the official custodians of the Kaaba at any given time. They are responsible for cleaning and washing the Kaaba, as well as maintaining and guarding access to the Kaaba and the Sacred Mosque. The Bani Shaybah live in Mecca and provide security and services year-round.
Birds Associated with the Kaaba
There are a few species of birds that are commonly found around the Kaaba and the Sacred Mosque in Mecca:
Pigeons
Flocks of pigeons can often be seen flying around the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque and even entering inside the mosque. Thousands of pigeons roost on the walls, pillars, and ceilings of the mosque complex. Some hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) mention pigeons being sighted at the Kaaba and treated kindly, so pigeons are considered blessed birds. Scattering feed for the pigeons is a common sight among pilgrims.
Sparrows
The house sparrow is another small bird commonly seen around the Kaaba. Their chirping is familiar background noise to the sacred precincts. Sparrows dart about picking up crumbs left by the multitudes of visitors.
Crows
Crows are frequently spotted around the Kaaba, swooping in to scavenge for food scraps. Their loud cawing echoes around the courtyard. Crows have a long folkloric history in Arabia and are mentioned in the Quran.
Doves
White doves are kept in the Sacred Mosque specifically for symbolic release when new caliphs or kings ascend to power. The tradition of releasing doves dates back centuries as a ritual of good fortune. Though not native to the site, doves are thus associated with the Kaaba.
Swifts
Swifts are agile little birds that nest in crevices of buildings. They can be seen darting about catching insects above the Kaaba and Sacred Mosque. Their high-pitched squeaks are familiar background noises. Large flocks circleabove especially at dawn and dusk.
Defending the Kaaba
The Kaaba has been attacked and besieged by hostile forces numerous times throughout history. The Bani Shaybah defend the Kaaba during such times alongside other defenders:
The defense of the Kaaba in 930 CE
In 930 CE, an extremist Islamic sect called the Qarmatians, who were based in Bahrain, sacked Mecca during the hajj season. They massacred pilgrims and flung bodies into the Well of Zamzam, desecrating the Kaaba and Sacred Mosque. The Qarmatians even removed the sacred Black Stone from the Kaaba and took it back to Bahrain. The Bani Shaybah fought valiantly but were overwhelmed by the Qarmatian forces. The Black Stone was eventually ransomed back over 20 years later and returned to the Kaaba.
The siege of Mecca in 683 CE
In 683 CE, Yazid I sent an army from Damascus to suppress a revolt in Mecca led by Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr. The Umayyad forces besieged Mecca for over 6 months, during which the Bani Shaybah helped defend the Kaaba from catapult projectiles launched by the besieging army. The Kaaba caught fire during the siege due to oil lamps being knocked over inside. Eventually news arrived that Yazid had died, leading the Umayyad forces to negotiate a withdrawal.
Defense of Ottoman Era (1517-1917 CE)
After the Ottoman Empire conquered the Mamluk Sultanate and took control of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Ottomans appointed a Turkish governor along with Turkish garrisons to protect the Kaaba and the pilgrimage routes. The Bani Shaybah cooperated with Ottoman authorities to continue defending the Kaaba from any external or internal threats. They took part in foiling the takeover attempt by the sharif of Mecca in 1631 CE.
Rituals of the Defenders
The Bani Shaybah have several unique rituals and duties associated with their role as Kaaba guardians:
The Opening of the Kaaba Door
The Bani Shaybah are entrusted with the keys to the Kaaba door, which is usually kept locked and opened only for special ceremonies. Each day during the hajj period, the chief guardian unlocks the door so it can be opened to display the interior. He recites verses from the Quran and supplications as he turns the key.
Washing of the Kaaba
The guardians perform the ritual washing and perfuming of the Kaaba’s exterior on special occasions. They use a mixture of rosewater and oud to cleanse and perfume the building as an honor. This ritual washing typically happens on the 15th night of the month of Ramadan.
Arranging the Kiswa
The Kiswa is the rich black cloth that drapes over the Kaaba. It is embroidered with Quranic verses and replaced annually in a special ceremony. The Bani Shaybah are responsible for arranging and draping the new Kiswa after it arrives from Egypt.
Feeding the Pigeons
As the honorary guardians of the pigeons that take refuge at the Kaaba, the Bani Shaybah make sure grain and water are available year-round for the pigeons. Feeding the pigeons is seen as a virtuous deed.
Standing Guard
During times of threat, members of the Bani Shaybah stand watch on the rooftop and minarets of the Sacred Mosque, keeping vigil for any danger to the Kaaba below. They see this as part of their ancient duty to protect the sanctuary.
Conclusion
In summary, the Kaaba in Mecca is protected by the Bani Shaybah tribe, who have served as guardians of the site for over a millennium. Common birds found around the Kaaba include pigeons, doves, sparrows, and crows. The Bani Shaybah defend the Kaaba alongside Ottoman and Saudi forces during times of attack or unrest. They perform unique rituals such as washing the Kaaba, opening its door, and feeding the pigeons as part of their honored role as custodians of the holiest site in Islam. The brave birds of Mecca bear witness to the timeless sanctity of the ancient Kaaba.