Aspects of the Islamic faith - 120: The
Black Stone And Its Importance
Islamic Perspectives - Muslim Journals
Arab News & Information - By Adil Salahi
When we do the tawaf around the Kaaba, during the
pilgrimage or the Umrah, or even as a sunnah, we
always start and finish at the eastern corner of the
Kaaba where the Black Stone is placed. It is
recommended to kiss the Black Stone or touch it at the
beginning and as we start every round, but if the
place is too crowded, it is enough to just signal with
one's hand, observing what is recommended to do and
say during tawaf. It is important, therefore, to know
what significance, if any, the Black Stone has.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second closest to the Prophet
(peace be upon him) of all his companions, once stood
at the Black Stone and kissed it as he was about to do
his tawaf. He then addressed it saying: "I know that
you are merely a stone that can cause neither harm nor
benefit. Had it not been for the fact that I saw the
Prophet kissing you, I would not have kissed you."
(Related by Al-Bukhari).
Thus Umar put the whole issue of the Black Stone and
its significance in the right perspective. It is a
mere stone that causes neither benefit nor harm to
anyone. As a stone, it is not different from any other
stone. Umar obviously knew that the stone could not
hear him, but his words were meant for the people
present, and indeed for all others. Saying them there
meant that they would be communicated by other
pilgrims to all their peoples throughout the Muslim
world. Hence, the action of kissing the Black Stone or
venerating it seeks only to follow the Prophet's
example, because the Prophet has taught us only what
is good. Thus, it falls within the general requirement
of following the Prophet's guidance. The Black Stone
has no significance other than its being the mark for
the start and end of a particular ritual of worship.
It is useful to know something of the history of the
Black Stone. It is well known that the Kaaba was
built, on God's instructions, by the prophets Abraham
and Ishmael. It is reported that when they completed
its building, Abraham said to his son: ‘Bring me a
fine stone to but at this corner. He brought him this
stone which was different from the rest of stones they
used in the building. It is black with a touch of
redness, and looked different in texture. There is no
doubt that it is unlike other stones, because it has
been there for several thousands of years, retaining
its shape, form and color despite all sorts of weather
conditions and the billions of hands touching it and
lips kissing it. It resisted fires, floods and other
turbulent conditions, as well as several cases of
renovation and rebuilding. All those who renovated the
building of the Kaaba retained it in its position.
Some reports suggest that it is a meteor brought to
Abraham by the Angel Gabriel. Even if this is true, it
does not change its religious status we have
mentioned, that it is a stone with no special
characteristics or status. When we venerate it, we do
so because it marks a ritual of worship, but it is not
a part of that worship.
What is part of our worship is to follow the Prophet's
guidance. In this connection, he kissed the Black
Stone at times, signaled to it with his staff at other
times and signaled with his hand when convenient.
Whichever of these is easiest for us when we do the
tawaf is perfectly acceptable. We are rewarded for
following the Prophet's example. Anyone who thinks the
Black Stone can bring him benefit or prevent harm is
in gross error.
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments