The Black stone is not a normal stone. It is a blessed stone that is not extracted from earth, and it has a great spiritual significance for all Muslims. In this article, we will reveal many important facts about the black stone.
Here we will learn the following:
What is the black stone in Mecca?
The black stone is situated in the southeastern corner of the Holy Kaaba in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Stone is roughly 30 cm (12 in.) in diameter, and 1.5 meters (5 ft.) above the ground.
Pilgrims should start and end their Tawaf (walking in circle around the Kaaba) from the black stone. Most pilgrims try to touch and kiss this stone just as prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did; however, this is not a principal rite of the pilgrimage or Umrah.
What is the black stone made of?
The black stone is comprised of eight small rocks that are molded together using Arabic frankincense. It is placed in a pure silver encasement that serves as a protection for the stone. The precise composition of the stone is not determined. It is believed to be made of basalt or a dark glassy rock called tuff.
Is the black stone from heaven?
The black stone was sent down by Allah to this earth from Paradise. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“The Black Stone came down from Paradise.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 877; al-Nasaa’i, 2935. The hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi )
Is the black stone a meteorite?
Since the black stone is not extracted from earthly rocks but came from Paradise as prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said; it is believed that it is a meteorite. However, it is difficult to test this hypothesis without removing and examining the Stone, which would not be permitted by its guardians.
Where did the black stone come from?
All geological studies on the Black stone are not conclusive. No one can confirm the origin of this sacred stone. The only indisputable fact about this stone is what prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said about it (being sent from paradise).
What is the symbolic meaning of the black stone?
This blessed stone has a symbolic meaning. It was originally of pure white color and has turned black due to the sins of mankind. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“When the Black Stone came down from Paradise, it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam made it black.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 877; Ahmad, 2792. Classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/219. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar classed it as qawiy (strong) in Fath al-Baari, 3/462)
The True Story of Black Stone in Mecca
It is believed that the Black Stone was given by the magnificent angel Jibril (AS) to prophet Ibrahim after the latter finished building the house of Allah (the Kaaba) with the help of his son Ismaeel (AS).
The stone surprisingly fitted in one of the Kaaba’s wall breaches. Centuries afterward, floods caused the destruction of the foundation of the holy Kaaba. Each Quraish family was assigned the responsibility of building a quarter of the Holy Kaaba.
However, leaders of each family started fighting for the honour of placing the Black Stone. A good suggestion was made; whoever enters Masjid al-Haram first in the morning will decide which family has the right to place the stone.
Surprisingly, the first person who entered was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). And because everyone knew and respected him, they chanted in a loud voice, “Here comes Al-Amin” (the trusted one).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spread his robe on the floor, lifted the Black Stone and placed it in the middle, and said, “The chief of each family will take one corner of the robe and lift it together.”
When the robe was lifted to a reasonable height, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took the stone and placed it on its spot with his own hands. This incident showed the great wisdom and objective insight of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
Years later after he became a prophet, Muhammed (PBUH) touched and kissed the Black Stone before he started Tawaaf. Pilgrims today sincerely try to follow his lead in doing this. It is important to note that this stone does not harm or benefit.
It was narrated that ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) came to the Black Stone and kissed it, then he said: “I know that you are only a stone which can neither bring benefit nor cause harm. Were it not that I had seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kiss you, I would not have kissed you.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1520; Muslim, 1720)
Read: the History of Hajj.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Black Stone is not an ordinary stone. It is a sacred stone that was sent down from heaven by angel Jibril. The fact that it was originally whiter than milk shows the negative effect of human sins. If sins can have this effect on an inanimate rock, then the effect they have on the heart is greater. Want to know more about what to do with sins, and the concept of repentance in Islam? Read this article.
