About the Black Stone
It is the stone located at the corner where the Tawaf around the Sacred House of Allah begins, and it is recommended to kiss it for those who are able. It is a stone from Paradise; as narrated by Al-Tirmidhi in his collection and Al-Azraqi in the news of Mecca and others from the Prophet ﷺ. What is the story of the Black Stone in the Kaaba? The Black Stone descended from Paradise to Earth as a divine gift. It was sent to the Friend of Allah, Ibrahim, and his son Ismail - peace be upon them - while they were building the Kaaba. Initially, the stone was white, but over time it turned black due to the sins of mankind, as narrated in the prophetic hadith from Sa'id ibn Jubair from Ibn Abbas - may Allah be pleased with them - who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The Black Stone descended from Paradise, and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the children of Adam made it black."
Description of the Black Stone
It is oval-shaped, black with a reddish hue, and has red spots and yellow curves. Its diameter is about thirty centimeters, surrounded by a silver frame that is ten centimeters wide. The Black Stone is located in the wall of the Kaaba at the southeastern corner of the Kaaba building, at a height of one and a half meters. It was placed by our master Ibrahim - peace be upon him - in its place in the Kaaba as a sign to begin the Tawaf from it. Currently, the Black Stone consists of eight small pieces, set in an adhesive material made of a mixture of wax, musk, and amber. This fragmentation is due to historical events, including its theft by the Qaramita in the fourth century AH.
The Origin of the Black Stone and Its Notable Secrets
As for the origin of the Black Stone, it was narrated in the prophetic hadith from Sa'id ibn Jubair from Ibn Abbas - may Allah be pleased with them - who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The Black Stone descended from Paradise, and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the children of Adam made it black."
Today, the Black Stone consists of eight small pieces, set in an adhesive material made of a mixture of wax, musk, and amber. This fragmentation is due to historical incidents, including the attempt to destroy the stone and its theft by the Qaramita in the fourth century AH, in the year 317 AH when they attacked Mecca under the leadership of Abu Tahir al-Qarmati, killing some pilgrims and capturing others, uprooting the doors of the Kaaba and removing the Black Stone from its place and stealing it. They then transported it to the region of Al-Jish, ordering its people to perform Hajj there, but they refused. However, after years of attempts, the Black Stone was returned to the Sacred Kaaba in the year 339 AH.
One of the notable secrets about the Black Stone is its testimony on the Day of Judgment for everyone who touches it with sincerity. Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "By Allah, Allah will raise it on the Day of Resurrection with two eyes to see with and a tongue to speak with, witnessing for those who touched it sincerely."
Regarding its virtues, it was narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As - may Allah be pleased with them - that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Indeed, the stone and the station are two rubies from the rubies of Paradise; Allah has concealed their light, and if their light had not been concealed, it would have illuminated what is between the east and the west."
The Importance of Kissing the Black Stone During Tawaf
What is the wisdom behind kissing the Black Stone? Does kissing it really forgive sins?
It is recommended for Muslims during Tawaf, whether in the obligatory Tawaf or the voluntary Tawaf during Hajj and Umrah, to kiss the Black Stone. It was reported that Umar ibn al-Khattab - may Allah be pleased with him - used to kiss the Black Stone and say: "I know that you are a stone, and if I had not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ kiss you, I would not have kissed you." Al-Muhibb al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, said that Umar said this because people had recently been accustomed to idol worship, and Umar feared that the ignorant might think that touching the stone was a form of glorifying certain stones as the Arabs did in the pre-Islamic era. Umar - may Allah be pleased with him - wanted to teach the people that touching it is following the action of the Prophet ﷺ and not that the stone itself benefits or harms, as was believed in the idols during the pre-Islamic era. Thus, kissing here is not to sanctify the stone itself, but rather an expression of obedience and submission to Allah and His noble Messenger ﷺ.
The Virtue of Touching and Kissing the Black Stone
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Indeed, touching the right corner and the Black Stone removes sins." This is evidence that touching the Black Stone and receiving it erases sins just as leaves fall from trees in autumn.
Renewal of the Black Stone Throughout History
The renovations that occurred to the Black Stone included surrounding it with silver frames. The noble companion Abdullah ibn al-Zubair was the first to surround the Black Stone with silver to protect it after it was damaged. Since then, caliphs and sultans have continued to renew the silver frame of the stone. In the year 1375 AH, King Saud bin Abdulaziz placed a new silver frame, and the stone was restored during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in the year 1422 AH.
Is the Black Stone the Same as the Yemeni Corner in the Kaaba?
The Sacred Kaaba currently has four corners: The Black Stone corner, the northern corner, the western corner, and the Yemeni corner, which the Tawaf passes before reaching the Black Stone. It is called Yemeni because it is in the direction of Yemen. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned the virtue of touching and receiving it by saying: "Indeed, touching the Black Stone and the Yemeni corner removes sins." Therefore, the Black Stone is different from the Yemeni corner in the Kaaba. Many secrets that the Black Stone holds in the Kaaba remain mysterious! However, it is certain that it carries many deep spiritual and historical meanings in Islam, starting from its descent from the heavens to its status in the Islamic construction of the Kaaba.