Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In this hadith, it is stated that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam called for Shaybah, whereas in the six canonical books (Kutub Sittah) and other hadith collections, and even in another narration of Musnad Ahmad itself, it is mentioned that he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam called for ‘Uthman ibn Talhah to open the door of the Ka‘bah, and this narration is more authentic. The ram that was brought as a ransom for Isma‘il alayhis salam—its horns were kept inside the structure of the Ka‘bah. When, during the era of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah, after the incident of Harrah, the army of Banu Umayyah reached Makkah al-Mukarramah and besieged ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, and set up a catapult and hurled stones at the Ka‘bah, and due to the fire, the coverings of the House of Allah, its roof, and these two horns were burned—this incident occurred in Safar, 64 AH. (Bulugh al-Ma‘ani min Asrar al-Fath al-Rabbani: 1/360)

It is a matter worthy of deep reflection that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, even inside such a noble structure as the Ka‘bah, preferred to have a cloth placed over the horns for the sake of the worshipper’s humility and concentration. Those who are concerned with the adornment and beautification of mosques, with floral patterns, highly attractive pulpits and mihrabs, colorful cabinets, and decorated stones, should take heed.