The head of the keys of the Holy Kaaba, Dr. Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaiba, passed away on Saturday morning, as media reports indicated that he had been ill for a long time.
Al-Shaiba was known as the 109th successor of the companion Uthman ibn Talha and the 109th guardian of the Kaaba.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the passing away of Al-Shaiba and prayed for his senior ranks in heaven.
“All Muslims are proud of the fortune of Dr. Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaiba,” the prime minister said.
After praying for him at Masjid Al-Haram, Al-Shaiba was buried in Al-Mualla cemetery, he reported. Khaleej Times.
Notably, he visited Pakistan last November for six days. In addition, during his visit he met with the country's main leaders.
For some 1,600 years, the Banu Shaiba tribe, the guardians of the Kaaba, have held the keys. The sacred duties, also called “Sadna Baytullah”, that they perform include taking care of the Kaaba, opening and closing it, cleaning it, preparing it and repairing it as necessary.
Even if the door is replaced, the key to the Kaaba remains unchanged. The holder of the key will always come from the Al-Shaiba family according to the will of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
