Permission to enter al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa in the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah depends on certain conditions and is limited to specific individuals. It cannot be treated or entered as if it were a public site.
Al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa has custodians, Sadanah, who have inherited the key since the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH). The key is currently held by the eldest custodian. They are also referred to as al-Hajabah as they are responsible for carrying the key when al-Kaaba is opened and closed for all events related to its cleaning or visits.
When the door of al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa is opened, the senior custodians are informed to attend if possible, and they may participate in the cleaning, accompanying the caretaker or his delegate, along with princes and their guests, on religious occasions.
Until the nineteenth century, al-Kaaba was open to visitors on specific days of the year, one day for women and one day for men, each separately. It is no longer open for general entry now to prevent overcrowding, as the number of Hajj and Umrah performers has significantly increased. The capacity of the Mataf is approximately 107,000 persons per hour.
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