The Saudi Arabian authorities have concluded arrangements to hold the annual Ghusl, known as washing of the Kaaba.
The washing is considered as one of the responsibilities of the custodian of the holy house. Though a symbolic activity, it is also considered as act of worship of Allah.
Usually, over 1000 people which include Ambassadors of Muslim countries are invited to take part in the washing which is led by the President of the Affairs of the two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdurrahman Al Sudais as well as the Governor of Makkah. This sigifies that all the Muslim countries take part it the activity.
What it is
The Kabah Washing Ceremony is an event that dates back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some traditions state that The Prophet (PBUH) used to wash the Kabah twice a year. First in Muharram and the other before the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
The Government of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, keeping the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) alive follows the same tradition year after year.
The latest Kabah washing Ceremony which was earlier scheduled to hold last Saturday was postponed, will be held this week.
Already, the front curtain of the Ka’bah has been raised in preparation for the annul Ghusl of Ka’bah Ceremony.
Kaabanews.com brings you the chain of events during the annual ceremony.
Materials for washing the Kabah?
The Day before the Ceremony, appointed members of the General Presidency make washing liquid which is used to clean the Holy Kabah. The Liquid mixed together are usually: Rose Water, Oud, Itar (Perfume). The Quality of these Ingredients is top class and the cost may reach up to thousands of Saudi Riyals.
Who Takes Part in the Ghusl?
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People are often angry regarding the People Participating in the Kabah Wash. They feel it breaks the rule of the Haram when security guards keep away the local pilgrims and high officials only take part in it. If we think about security and crowd control, then it’s quite impossible for all the people to participate in the wash, because at any time of the day there are at least 1000 people present. If they do then Allah Forbid incidents can take place such as a Stampede which can go out of control very fast.
To solve this problem the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, came up with a solution, they use to invite all the Ambassadors of all the Muslim Counties to participate in the Wash, which then in end concludes as if all the members of each Muslim Country and Community has taken part in the wash.
The Events of the Day
Since many years the day of the Ghusl (washing) takes place on or around 15 Muharram, previously a second wash was conducted in the month of Shaban however it has been discontinued.
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The day starts with the Guards separating the public from the Kabah forming a circle, first, the Imams and the Muadhins of Masjid Al Haram visit the Kabah, then the invited elderly citizens and expats visit the Kabah, then the Special Guests who have been invited by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques visit the Kabah.
Around 10am, the Governor of Makkah, the President of the Haramain arrive and first pray 2 Rakah tahiyatul masjid Prayer then wash the Kabah, it takes around 15 to 25 minutes to wash the Kabah.
After the wash, the officials make Tawaf around the Kabah. Tawaf consists of seven rounds around the Kabah in an anticlockwise direction. Finally, they pray two Rakats prayers behind the Station of Ibrahim to complete the Rukn of the Tawaaf. Following the Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH), the officials are served with Zamzam water which concludes to the ceremony.
