:Introduction
The Black Stone holds significant religious importance in Islam. Muslims perform the ritual of circumambulation (Tawaf) around the Kaaba, starting and ending at the Black Stone. Despite being a stone that holds no inherent benefit or harm, Muslims race to kiss and touch it, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
:Description of the Black Stone
Located in the southeastern corner of the Kaaba, the Black Stone is elevated about one and a half meters above the ground. It is a black-colored stone with a hollow resembling a drinking bowl. It is encased in a pure silver frame for protection. The stone appears oval-shaped, with the blackness visible on the surface, while the rest of it is white. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) described the Black Stone by saying, "The Black Stone descended from Paradise, whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it black."
:Muhammad ibn Khuzaymah's description
In 339 AH, Muhammad ibn Khuzaymah described the Black Stone when it was returned after being taken by the Qarmatians. He said, "I observed the Black Stone, and only its head was black, while the rest was white. Its length is about the size of an arm"
:Linking the Black Stone with Silver
Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr was the first to link the Black Stone with a silver frame. The succeeding caliphs continued the practice of using silver rings whenever necessary. In the month of Sha'ban in 1375 AH, King Saud bin Abdulaziz placed a new silver frame around the Black Stone. It was later restored during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in 1422 AH
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| The Black Stone History, |
:Origin of the Name
The Black Stone got its name based on a narration from Ibn Abbas about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, "The Black Stone descended from Paradise, whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it black." It is also referred to as "ar-Rukn" (the Corner) in some narrations. Al-Fakihi reported from Mujahid, saying, "I saw the Corner when Ibn az-Zubayr restored the Kaaba, and everything inside it was white"
:Rulings and Practices Related to the Black Stone
It is recommended for those performing Tawaf to touch and kiss the Black Stone while passing by it. If touching it directly or with an object is not possible, one can simply point towards it and say "Bismillah" and "Allahu Akbar" (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) without kissing their hand
:Kissing and wiping the Black Stone
Omar ibn al-Khattab used to kiss the Black Stone and say, "Indeed, I know that you are a stone that neither harms nor benefits. If I had not seen the Prophet kissing you, I would not have kissed you." Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani narrated from At-Tabari that Omar did so because people were newly acquainted with idol worship, and he feared that they might think touching the stone was to venerate it, as was done during the era of ignorance (pre-Islamic era). Omar wanted to make it clear that touching the stone was only to follow the practice of the Prophet and not due to any inherent benefit or harm
:Virtues of touching and kissing the Black Stone
Touching and kissing the Black Stone is considered a means to expiate sins. Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Touching the Black Stone and the