Perfuming and incensing the Holy Ka'bah is an old practice ever since the pre-Islamic era. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) acknowledged this. Sometimes the entire building was perfumed. (14)
During the reign of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Holy Ka'bah was perfumed after every prayer. During the era of lbn AI-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them), it was incensed daily and especially on Fridays. After he had completed the building of the Holy Ka'bah, he covered its interior and exterior with incense and perfumes. AI-Mahdi, the Abbasid Caliph. anointed its interior and exterior with a mixture of musk and ambergris. People then continued in perfuming and incensing it. (12)
Scholars consider perfuming the Holy Ka'bah as a sort of sanctity which Allah, the Almighty, instructed in the following Qur'anic verse: "And sanctify My House for those who compass if round, Or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (Therein in prayer)" (22:26)
