The Black Stone (History and Location)
It remained clear that within the Black Stone, there exists such a remarkable natural magnetic attraction that it draws people of every nation, color, and race. This sacred stone, known as the ‘Hajar Aswad,’ is one of the precious gems of Paradise, which was brought by our esteemed ancestor, Prophet Adam (ﷺ), from Jannah. It was placed in a corner when the Kaaba was being constructed during the time of Prophet Ibrahim (ﷺ).
During the time of the deluge of Prophet Noah (ﷺ), this stone, which had been used to build the Kaaba, was raised to the heavens. When it was brought back to the earth, it was placed in the safekeeping of the Shibam Qabisah Mountain. Later, during the construction of the Kaaba in the era of Prophet Ibrahim (ﷺ), Angel Jibril (ﷺ), under the command of Allah, presented it as a gift to Prophet Ibrahim (ﷺ) for his noble service. Thus, it was adorned in the same place where it used to be, radiating its previous glory.
Numerous virtues and qualities have been attributed to it in the Hadiths and historical books, adorned with the guidance of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, this invaluable and blessed gem of Paradise couldn’t be preserved from the trials of time. It suffered multiple incidents of being mishandled and even fell into the hands of sinful and unjust people. On several occasions, it became a subject of disputes and was damaged.
In 317 Hijri, when Mecca was under the control of Abu Tahir Salim ibn al-Hasan, the custodian of Mecca, a horrifying incident occurred. During the Dhul-Hijjah of 313 Hijri, in the afternoon, a massacre was orchestrated at the command of Abu Tahir, resulting in the bloodshed of thousands of innocent individuals within the holy precincts. Among the casualties were 1700 pilgrims and 700 circumambulators. This tragedy turned the sacred stone into a pool of mercy, known as the “Hijr Isma’il,” which was made of gold, near the Maqam Ibrahim and the Black Stone.
However, the stone remained safe in the possession of the Haram custodians, hidden in a valley among the mountains. But on the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah in 313 Hijri, during Sunday afternoon, Ja’far ibn Halaaj, under the orders of Abu Tahir, removed the Black Stone from its place. He inflicted several blows upon it, causing some cracks, and then took it with him to Bahrain. It remained in Bahrain for approximately 22 years.
Its return to Mecca was a miraculous event, and the Quraysh repeatedly requested its return. When the demand became stronger, they were presented with an excuse that the stone had melted and merged with other stones and that distinguishing it was beyond their capability. This explanation did not satisfy them, and they sought the counsel of respected scholars.
The scholars, after investigation, advised that if all these stones were put in a pot and heated until one of them melted, the Black Stone would remain unaffected because it is the sacred stone of Paradise. Thus, to safeguard its sanctity and popularity, it was retrieved and placed once again in the Kaaba, restoring its adornment.
The importance of kissing the Black Stone lies in the fact that the Black Stone is the hand of Allah Ta’ala in the earth, and a Muslim who did not have the honor of pledging allegiance to the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) can achieve the honor of pledging allegiance to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) by kissing the Black Stone.
It is narrated from Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) instructed that the Black Stone be placed in such a condition on the Day of Judgment that it will have two eyes with which it will see, and a tongue with which it will speak. It will testify in favor of those who kissed it.
It is authentically reported from Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنه) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to the Black Stone, he greeted it with a long kiss. Then he wept, and when he turned away, he saw that Umar Farooq (رضي الله عنه) was also weeping profusely. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him, “O Umar, this is the place where tears should flow.”
The significance of this stone in Makkah Mukarramah is due to the fact that Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Ibrahim (عليه السلام) had placed this stone in a corner of the Kaaba, the House of Allah. And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had also kissed it in the same corner of the Kaaba. This is why its importance is in the House of Allah.
