Ceremonial washing of holy Kaaba

MAKKAH: Governor of Makkah Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah on behalf of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, led the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba on Thursday morning, ARY News reported.

Saudi top officials including several ministers, Islamic scholars, Muslim diplomats, as well as citizens and visitors to the Grand Mosque, attended the washing ceremony, Saudi media reports said.

The ceremonial washing of Kaaba is held following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who washed it after entering the Kaaba at the time of the conquest of Makkah.

The washing of the Kaaba, which is carried out before the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan, begins with offering of two raka’a of Nafal prayers. The interior walls then be cleansed with rose, oud and musk perfumes using white cloth.

Zamzam water mixed with rose water then be splashed on the floor and then wiped with bare hands and palm leaves. After the cleaning, the floor and the walls are dried again with white cloth and tissues. The walls are then perfumed using large quantities of oud and rose perfume.