Many people assume that the Kiswah of the Ka‘bah has always been black, unchanged across time. History tells a different story. Over the centuries, the Ka‘bah has been clothed in different colours, fashioned from varied materials, and renewed in ways shaped by the customs, resources, and administrative realities of each era. The term Kiswah itself simply means the covering or garment of the Ka‘bah—and far from being static, it reflects a rich and well-documented historical evolution. From early leather coverings and red-striped Yemeni cloths, to white Egyptian linen, red, green, yellow, and finally black brocade, the Kiswah tells a layered story of devotion, authority, and stewardship across Muslim history. This article traces that journey, exploring how the Kiswah of the Ka‘bah gradually developed into the form recognised today.