When the Prophet emigrated from Makkah, the keys of the Kabah were with Uthman ibn Talha. He belonged to the group of the Quraysh, tribe, which had turned hostile to the Prophet and his religious mission. The keys to the Kabah had been in Uthman’s family since ancient times. Before his emigration from Makkah to Madinah, the Prophet desired to visit the Kabah one last time. He requested Uthman for the keys, but Uthman refused to hand them over.
Furthermore, he spoke abusively to the Prophet. The Prophet bore all his rude remarks. All he said in reply was: “Uthman, perhaps you will see that one day I will have these keys in my hands. I will have the power to dispose of them as I will.” At this, Uthman retorted: “It will be a day of disgrace and woe for the Quraysh, when the keys of the Kabah are handed over to one like you.”
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