Do you know the history of the keys to the Kaaba?πππ€
The Kaaba was a pre Islamic sanctuary, and according to Arab tradition the first people to hold its key were the Jurhum tribe.
Later, Jurhum were driven out and the custodianship passed to the Khuzaβa tribe.
After that, Qusayy, who established Qurayshβs authority in Makkah and who is an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad , took control of Makkah from Khuzaβa. He reorganised the main honours of Mecca and gave the custodianship of the Kaaba to his son Abd al-Dar. From that point, the key remained with the descendants of Abd al-Dar.
When the Muslims conquered Makkah, the key was brought to the Prophet Muhammad , especially because Othman ibn Talha ( a descendant of Abd al-Dar who held the key at that time) was a pagan. The Prophet returned the key to him and said:
"Take it, O Bani Talha, eternally up to the Day of Resurrection, and it will not be taken from you unless by an unjust, oppressive tyrant"
Soon after, he and his family accepted Islam, and the custodianship has remained with his descendants ever since. Of course, the door and the physical key have been replaced many times over the centuries, but the right to the key has stayed with his descendants. Today they are known as Bani Shaiba ( Shaiba was a descendant of Othman ibn Talha )
Current holders :
So the keys to the kaaba π are not held by the Saudi government nor the Saudi royal family but the same family for over 1500+ years .
If you are curious to know more about Qusayy specifically Here is more about him :
