How Authentic Is the Claim That Abu Karb Himyari Built the Ka‘ba?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Did Abu Karb Himyari build the Ka‘ba, as claimed in historical sources? How reliable are the cited references?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Allah (Most High) say,
“And (mention) when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and (with him) Isma‘il, (saying), ‘Our Lord, accept (this) from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.’” [Quran, 2:127]
Some historical accounts suggest that Abu Karb Himyari, a Himyarite king, contributed to the maintenance of the Ka‘ba. However, these reports are based on later historical sources and oral traditions rather than definitive evidence. From an Islamic perspective, the Ka‘ba was built by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and later maintained by various figures throughout history. While Himyarite rulers are known to have embraced monotheistic beliefs, the claim of Abu Karb’s role in constructing or renovating the Ka‘ba remains unproven speculation, and Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
