Abdul Wahab Al Shaibi is the 78th caretaker in the Islamic era and the 110th since the inception of the caretaker career 16 centuries ago by Qusay bin Kilab, the fourth grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Abdul Wahab Al Shaibi, in his first official task, will oversee the handover and replacement of the Kaaba dress at the beginning of the month of Muharram in the new Hijri year.
In his initial comments, Abdul Wahab said: “It is customary to hand over the keys of the Kaaba to the oldest member of the family, and we ask God for success and help in this task.”
Abdul Wahab Al Shaibi becomes the new key-bearer of Holy Kaaba. 9
Ahmed Al Shaibi, the grandson of the late caretaker, noted the significance of the handover, saying, “the key to the Kaaba was handed over today after the third day of the condolences for my grandfather and beloved Saleh Zain Al Abidin Al Shaibi.”
Abdul Wahab Al Shaibi,in picture.
He further elaborated in a post on “X” platform, “the key was handed over to my grandfather’s brother, Abdul Wahab Zain Al Abidin Al Shaibi, who is the head of the Al Shaibi family.”
The Shaibi family, also known as the Banu Shaiba, has a long and storied history as the custodians of the key to the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This family’s connection to the Kaaba dates back to pre-Islamic times and continues to the present day.
When the Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihe wa sallam conquered Mecca in 630 CE (8 AH), one of the significant events was the cleansing of the Kaaba from idol worship. Upon entering the Kaaba, the Rasul Allah removed the idols and declared it a sacred house dedicated to the worship of one God.
Rasul Allah upon entering Mecca, requested the key to the Kaaba from Uthman ibn Talha, a member of the Shaibi family. Uthman initially hesitated, but when the Prophet was given the key, he handed it back to Uthman, saying, “Take it, O Bani Talha, eternally up to the Day of Resurrection, and it will not be taken from you unless by an unjust, oppressive tyrant.” This declaration solidified the family’s role as the official guardians of the Kaaba’s key.
Throughout the Islamic caliphates and into modern times, the Shaibi family has retained this honored position. Various rulers, including the Abbasids, the Ottomans, and the current Saudi rulers, have acknowledged and upheld the custodianship of the Shaibi family. The family’s duty involves not only holding the key but also participating in the ritual cleaning of the Kaaba, which takes place twice a year before Ramadan and during the Hajj pilgrimage.
