The Spout of the Kaaba
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
10 languages
The Spout of the Kaaba (Arabic: ميزاب الكعبة, also known as Miizaab al-Rahma) is a gutter or waterspout attached to the roof edge of the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Its primary function is to direct rainwater falling on the flat roof of the Kaaba to a specific side, preventing water from accumulating on the roof or running down other sides of the structure.
The spout is located on the northwest side of the Kaaba, where it projects directly over the open area known as Hijr Ismail (also called Hatim). For this reason, rainwater falls in that location, and pilgrims and worshippers regard this water as blessed. The term 'al-Rahma' (mercy) in its name derives from religious customs long associated with this place.
Structure and materials
The spout is an uncovered gutter in the form of a channel, extending from the Kaaba's edge toward the open area. Its interior and exterior have been covered with gold, while the interior is lined with hard metal to prevent water from damaging the building. It is inscribed with verses and decorative calligraphy bearing the names of its creators and dates. The base of the Kaaba is made of stone, while its flat roof has a small chain that directs water toward the spout.
History and reconstruction
A water channel connected to the Kaaba's roof is attested to from the reconstruction by the pre-Islamic Quraysh and subsequent reconstructions, notably one by Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr. In later centuries, particularly during the Ottoman period, the spout was replaced or renewed several times, with new gold and calligraphy added. Some earlier sections are held in museums and treasuries in Mecca and Istanbul.
Religious significance and maintenance
Supplication during water flow from the spout is a custom among pilgrims to the Sacred Mosque, though Islamic scholars hold varying views on its religious status. The Sacred Mosque's administration includes the spout in its cleaning and technical maintenance programs for the Kaaba, particularly before Mecca's heavy rain seasons, to ensure water flows properly and does not accumulate in Hijr Ismail for prolonged periods.