Makkah, June 22, 2024-  Sheikh Saleh Al Shaiba, the revered custodian of the key of the holy Kaaba, has passed away. His death was confirmed on the official social media site of Haramain Sharifine on Saturday morning.

A post on the X Handle (formerly Twitter) stated, "The 109th Guardian of the Kaaba, Sheikh Saleh Al Shaiba, has passed away." Sheikh Saleh was a direct descendant of Hazrat Usman Ibn Talha (RA). His funeral will be held in Haram Sharif, after which he will be buried in Al Mualla Cemetery in Makkah.

The history of Islam notes that the keys to the Kaaba have belonged to the Shaiba tribe since the pre-Islamic Jahili era. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) honored Uthman Ibn Talha (RA) by handing over the keys to the tribe. The Prophet said, "From now on, this key will be in the hands of your descendants until the end of time. If someone tries to take this key from your hands, he will be a tyrant." This tradition has continued uninterrupted.

The descendants of Uthman Ibn Talha (RA) have successively held the responsibility of the keys. From time to time, Saudi Arabia's kings and dignitaries enter the holy Kaaba using these keys. They opened the door of the Kaaba with the permission and assistance of the Shaiba family.

The key of the Kaaba was last changed on November 18, 2013. Sheikh Saleh Al Shaiba’s passing marks the end of an era, and his successor from the Shaiba family will continue the honored tradition of custodianship.