According to historical accounts, King Tubba Abu Karib As'ad of the Himyarite Kingdom was the first to cover the Kaaba. This occurred during the Jurhum tribe's rule in Mecca in the early fifth century CE. He learned about the Kaaba from two Jewish rabbis following his conversion.
However, it's important to distinguish between covering the Kaaba and the Kiswa, the specific cloth covering the Kaaba which is replaced annually. While King Tubba's action represents the first recorded covering, the Kiswa as we know it has a different history.
The provided references mention that the Prophet Muhammad was the first in Islam to cover the Kaaba with a qubati, a thin white cloth. While this marks a significant event in Islamic history, it does not negate King Tubba's prior action. The distinction lies in the nature of the covering and the religious context. King Tubba's action was pre-Islamic, while the Prophet Muhammad's was within the Islamic faith.
In 1806, Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz covered the Kaaba with pure red silk during the First Saudi State. This further demonstrates the ongoing tradition of covering the Kaaba, highlighting the evolving nature of the practice throughout history.
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Key Figures:
- King Tubba Abu Karib As'ad: First recorded covering of the Kaaba (pre-Islamic).
- Prophet Muhammad: First covering of the Kaaba with a qubati in Islam.
- Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz: Covered the Kaaba with red silk during the First Saudi State.
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Important Note: The term "covering the Kaaba" can be interpreted differently depending on the context. It can refer to any covering material or specifically to the Kiswa, the annual cloth replacement.
