انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
Shaykh Ṣaleh al-Shaībi, the chief custodian and key-holder of the Holy Kaʿbah, in Makkah has passed away. He was the 77th custodian since the conquest of Makkah during the era of the Messenger ﷺ.
Sheikh Ṣaleh al-Shaībi was the 109th successor of ʿUthmān ibn Ṭalḥa رضي الله عنه , a companion of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. The key of the Kaʿbah was handed over to him by the Prophet ﷺ. The descendants of Uthmān ibn Ṭalḥa رضي الله عنه have been inheriting the key since then. Sheikh Ṣaleh al-Shaībi took over as caretaker of the Kaʿbah in 2013.
The profession of being the custodian of the Kaʿbah is the most famous, oldest, and honorable in the Holy Mosque of Makkah. The custiodian is the only person who holds the key and is responsible for everything related to its affairs, including changing its covering, washing it, perfuming it with perfume, opening it, and closing it.
May Allāh have mercy on Shaykh Ṣaleh al-Shaībi.
