The rock that Muslims kiss is known as the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad).
Located in the corner of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Black Stone holds significant religious importance for Muslims worldwide. It is not worshipped but is revered as a relic from the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is an integral part of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
The Black Stone in Pilgrimage
The Black Stone plays a central role in the ritual known as istilam. Pilgrims performing the tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba often strive to touch or kiss the Black Stone, following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Ritual of Istilam
According to tradition and practice, pilgrims perform istilam during the seven circuits of the Kaaba. The reference states:
The Black Stone plays a central role in the ritual of istilam, when pilgrims kiss the Black Stone, touch it with their hands or raise their hands towards it while repeating the takbir "God is Greatest." They perform this in the course of walking seven times around the Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction (tawaf), ...
This highlights several key aspects of the ritual:
- Location: At the Black Stone corner of the Kaaba.
- Actions: Kissing the Stone, touching it with hands, or raising hands towards it.
- Verbal Aspect: Repeating the takbir ("God is Greatest").
- Context: Performed during the seven circuits (tawaf) around the Kaaba.
- Direction: While walking in a counterclockwise direction.
Due to the large crowds, especially during Hajj, it is often not possible for every pilgrim to reach the Stone to kiss or touch it directly. In such cases, it is sufficient and permissible to point towards the Stone while repeating "God is Greatest" as they pass by its location during the tawaf.
Key Practices during Istilam:
- Approaching the Black Stone corner.
- If possible, gently kissing the Stone.
- Alternatively, touching the Stone with the hand and then kissing the hand.
- If direct contact is not possible due to crowds, facing the Stone and gesturing towards it from a distance.
- In all cases, saying "Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar" (In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest) or "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest).
This ritual is an act of following the prophetic tradition and symbolizes the beginning and end of each circuit during the tawaf.
