Is It Permissible to Touch the Kiswa (Cover) of the Kaʿbah for Blessings? — Shariah Guidance
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Is it permissible to touch the Kiswa (covering) of the Kaʿbah for the purpose of seeking blessings (tabarruk)?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Touching the Kiswa of the Kaʿbah with the intention of tabarruk (seeking blessings) is considered an innovation (bidʿah), because this action is not established from the Prophet ﷺ.
When Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (RA) performed Tawaf of the Kaʿbah, he began touching all the corners of the Kaʿbah.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (RA) cautioned him, saying:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the best example for us to follow. I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ touch only the two Yemeni corners — the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Rukn al-Yamānī.”
This incident clearly shows that in matters of touching the Kaʿbah or its parts, our practice should be only that which is authentically established from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. True adherence to the Sunnah is the real following of the uswah ḥasanah (perfect example).
It is not legislated to touch or kiss any part of the Kaʿbah other than the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Rukn al-Yamānī.
However, between the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Kaʿbah’s door is the Multazam. It is authentically established from the Companions (RA) that they would stand there, cling to it, and supplicate.
This is a Sunnah practice, permissible and recommended.
Touching the Kiswa merely for the sake of blessing is not narrated from the Prophet ﷺ; therefore, it falls under bidʿah.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
Is it permissible to touch the Kiswa (covering) of the Kaʿbah for the purpose of seeking blessings (tabarruk)?
Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Touching the Kiswa of the Kaʿbah with the intention of tabarruk (seeking blessings) is considered an innovation (bidʿah), because this action is not established from the Prophet ﷺ.
Evidence from the Companions
When Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (RA) performed Tawaf of the Kaʿbah, he began touching all the corners of the Kaʿbah.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (RA) cautioned him, saying:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the best example for us to follow. I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ touch only the two Yemeni corners — the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Rukn al-Yamānī.”
This incident clearly shows that in matters of touching the Kaʿbah or its parts, our practice should be only that which is authentically established from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. True adherence to the Sunnah is the real following of the uswah ḥasanah (perfect example).
Sunnah Practice
It is not legislated to touch or kiss any part of the Kaʿbah other than the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Rukn al-Yamānī.
However, between the Ḥajar al-Aswad and the Kaʿbah’s door is the Multazam. It is authentically established from the Companions (RA) that they would stand there, cling to it, and supplicate.
This is a Sunnah practice, permissible and recommended.
Touching the Kiswa merely for the sake of blessing is not narrated from the Prophet ﷺ; therefore, it falls under bidʿah.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
