What Is The Black Stone In Mecca?

The history of Islam has many events and objects that have left a mark on the religion. For example, consider the astonishing event of Ibrahim AS. sacrificing his son for Allah SWT. Or the fascinating ascension of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, known as Al-Isra wal-Miraj. Another important event is the descent of the Hajr e Aswad (the Black Stone) from Paradise. This blog will dive deeper into the mystery of Hajr-e-Aswad, discuss its origins, and examine the Islamic scriptures about it.

Where Is The Black Stone?

The black stone is more than 1400 years old. Hajr e Aswad is found on the eastern side of the Kaaba, one of the holiest buildings in Islam. The holy stone is placed in an encasement made from pure silver. The encasement was first built by Abdullah bin Zubair RA, one of the compilers of the Quran, and has since been replaced by many Muslim caliphs.

Significance In Mecca

Whenever someone goes to perform Hajj or Umrah, it is sunnah to touch and kiss the black stone in every circuit of the Tawaf. If that is impossible, one should touch the black stone with his hand and then kiss his hand. If this is too difficult, one should point towards the stone and recite the takbeer and the specific dua.

Origin of Hajr e Aswad

Two different narrations describe the origin of the black stone. Let’s take a look at them:

Prophet Ibrahim and The Kaaba

According to the most authentic narration, it is stated that the black stone was brought to Prophet Ibrahim during the construction of the Kaaba.

When the construction of the Kaaba was almost complete, Prophet Ibrahim noticed a small gap or space in one of the walls of the Kaaba. He ordered his son, Ismail AS, to look for a stone to fill this small space. After that, Ismail AS searched for a stone that would fill the gap in the wall of the Holy Kaaba, but even after searching on the outskirts of Makkah, he could not find such a stone.

When he returned, he was surprised to see that a stone had already filled the gap in the walls of the house of Allah. When he asked his father about it, Prophet Ibrahim told him that the magnificent stone had been brought from Paradise by Angel Jibreel AS.

Prophet Adam and The World

There is another story about the origin of Hajr-e-Aswad, stating that the black stone fell from heaven to tell Prophet Adam AS where to build the first house of worship.

Interesting Facts about the Black Stone

In a hadith, it is stated that when the black stone was sent down (from paradise), it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam made it black.
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet Muhammad SAW said about the black stone that on the day of resurrection, Allah SWT will raise Hajr-e-Aswad in such a manner that it will have two eyes with which it sees and a tongue with which it will speak, testifying to whoever touches it.
In 638 CE, during the Ummuyad siege, the black stone was smashed and broken into pieces by a stone fired from a catapult. Later, Hazrat Abdullah Bin Zubair RA joined the broken pieces of the stone using a pure silver ligament. Because of its abduction and removal, the stone suffered intense damage and was divided into eight fragments. Currently, 24 guards protect the holy stone at all times.
The black stone has suffered much damage and destruction. When Hazrat Jibreel AS brought the black stone to Prophet Ibrahim, it was one stone. But now, it is divided into eight pieces due to the events. In 930 CE, Hajr-e-Aswad was stolen by the Qarmatians, who were a militant Isma’ili Shia movement centered in Al-Hasa, Eastern Arabic. They hid the black stone in their base in Hajr (known as Bahrain today). The Qarmatian leader, Abu Tahir al-Qarmati, placed the holy stone in Masjid e Dirar to redirect Hajj from Makkah. However, he failed when the Muslims kept reverting to the true spot of the holy stone.
According to Al-Juwayni, an Islamic legal professional, Hajr-e-Aswad was returned to Makkah in 952 CE after twenty-three years. The Qarmatians used the sacred stone for ransom and forced the Abbasids to pay a hefty amount for the return of Hajr e Aswad. On its return, it was again placed in its original location, on the eastern side of the Kaaba.

Mannerisms For The Black Stone

Islam is a religion of discipline and justice, encouraging being mindful of others, which is why certain rules should be followed whenever one is performing pilgrimage and wants to touch or kiss Hajr-e-Aswad.

Avoid pushing people to get closer to the black stone.
If you cannot touch the stone, then point towards it.
Remember that touching and kissing a stone is a sunnah and not an obligation.
Kissing and touching the stone should only be done with a sincere intention instead of showing off.