The Qandeel Kiswa refers to the lamp-shaped embroidered motifs that appear on sections of the Kaaba’s covering. The word Qandeel (قنديل) means “lamp” or “lantern,” and the design is inspired by the Qur’anic imagery of light, most notably the verse: “Allāhu nūru as-samāwāti wal-arḍ” (Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth, Qur’an 24:35)
The Qandeel panels of the Holy Kaaba prominently feature the divine Names يَا رَحْمَٰنُ (Yā Raḥmān – O Most Merciful) and يَا رَحِيمُ (Yā Raḥeem – O Most Compassionate),
These inscriptions are embroidered in gold-plated silver thread on black silk and appear repeatedly across the Kiswah, including above the Ḥajar al-Aswad, around the front, and on the lamp-shaped (Qandeel) motifs. The Names Yā Raḥmān and Yā Raḥeem emphasize Allah’s infinite mercy and compassion. The repetition of these divine phrases reflects both a spiritual purpose, invoking blessing and reverence, and an artistic tradition, creating visual harmony and highlighting the sacredness of the Holy Kaaba
Historically, actual lamps were suspended inside the Holy Kaaba from its ceiling beams, particularly in the pre-modern and Ottoman periods, before modern lighting systems replaced them. The embroidered lamp motif reflects this long-standing tradition and symbolises divine light. These Qandeel panels are made from black silk—the same high-quality silk used for the external Kiswa—and are embroidered with silver thread plated in gold at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa in Makkah
Qur’anic Verses
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ – Al-ḥamdu liLlāhi Rabbil-ʿĀlamīn – (Surah al-Fātiḥah 1:2)
ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ – Allāhu Nūru as-Samāwāti wal-Arḍ – (Surah al-Nūr 24:35 – opening phrase of Āyat an-Nūr)
Common Devotional Inscriptions (Asma’ al-Ḥusnā & Takbīr)
يَا رَحْمَٰنُ – Yā Raḥmān
يَا رَحِيمُ – Yā Raḥīm
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ – Yā Ḥayyu Yā Qayyūm
ٱللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ – Allāhu Akbar
Some pieces also include the name of the calligrapher or supervising official as part of the production record. The number and exact arrangement of Qandeel motifs can vary depending on the design of the Kiswa in a given year
