Sheikh Saleh As-Shaiba, the Chief Key Holder of the Kaaba and 109th Successor of Uthman ibn Talha (RA), is dead.
The key to the door of Ka’bah was handed over to the companion of the Prophet, Uthman bn Talha, by Prophet Muhammad on the day of conquest of Makkah.
The Prophet instructed that this blessed family should be the custodian of the key of Ka’bah till the day of judgment, and that only a misguided human being will take the key away from them.
HISTORY OF THE CUSTODIANSHIP OF THE LOCK AND KEYS OF THE KA’BAH
The Prophet (ﷺ) and the Sahabah entered Makkah victoriously in the year 630 CE (8 AH). Upon entering the Haram, the Prophet (ﷺ) went to the Ka’bah but found it was locked. Uthman bin Talha, who wasn’t a Muslim at the time, had locked it and hidden himself on the roof of the Ka’bah.
Ali (رضي الله عنه) was instructed by the Prophet (ﷺ) to go and find him and retrieve the key. He tracked him down, snatched the key from him and opened the door of the Ka’bah. The Prophet (ﷺ) went inside and performed two raka’hs of salah.
Abbas (رضي الله عنه), the uncle of the Prophet (ﷺ) then made a request: “You know that our family is in charge of pouring water for the pilgrims who come for Hajj, If you hand the key over to us, we will have two points of honour, one is to pour the water and the other to open and lock the door of the Ka’bah as and when necessary.”
A VERSE OF THE QU’RAN IS REVEALED
Upon this, Allah (ﷻ) revealed a verse of the Quran in through the angel Jibraeel (عليه السلام):
“Allah is commanding you to return the trusts to those whom they belong to” Qur’an 4 vs 58
The Prophet (ﷺ) immediately understood what this meant. He got up, gave the key back to Ali (رضي الله عنه) and told him to return it to Uthman bin Talha.
Ali (رضي الله عنه) went to Uthman bin Talha and returned the key, apologising for the harsh way in which he had taken it from him. Uthman bin Talha was surprised at the gesture and asked the reason why. On being told that a verse of the Quran had been revealed regarding him to the Prophet (ﷺ) about returning this trust, Uthman bin Talha accepted Islam.
Note that the above verse of the Quran is the only verse to have been revealed inside the Ka’bah.
The key is to remain in the family of Uthman bin Talha (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet (ﷺ) summoned Uthman bin Talha (رضي الله عنه) and told him, “The key shall remain with you and none but a tyrant shall take it from you.”
After Uthman bin Talha (رضي الله عنه) died, his cousin Shaybah received the key and this tradition has remained amongst his progeny. His descendants are alive to this day and they are commonly known as the Shaybi people. The wording of the Hadith tells us that the family of Uthman bin Talha (رضي الله عنه) would remain until the Day of Qiyamah and they will always retain the honour of having possession of the key.
The above statement of the Prophet (ﷺ) is extraordinary because although many powerful monarchs have reigned throughout the ages, Allah has always preserved this great honour amongst the Shaybah family. This will continue and none will be able to snatch the honour away from them. Today the key is still in their possession.
RECENT ‘SADINS’ (KEEPERS) FROM THE FAMILY OF UTHMAN BIN TALHA (رضي الله عنه)
Shaykh Abdul-Aziz al-Shaybi was the sadin of the Ka’bah for 18 years, until he passed away in 2010.
The deceased brother, Shaykh Abdul Qader al-Shaybi became the new sadin. He passed away in 2015.
Dr. Saleh Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, the oldest member of the Shaybah family then, took over as the new keeper of Ka’bah. He was the 109th successor of Uthman bin Talha (رضي الله عنه).
The Janazah (burial rites) will be held following Fajr today at Masjid Al Haram, with the burial at Al Mu’alla Cemetery in Makkah. May Allah have mercy on his soul. Ameen
