Above...circa 1880
The Ka’ba is the canonical center of the Islamic world and every pious
act, particularly
prayer, is directed toward it. Once a year it plays host to the
greatest convention of
religious believers and stands ready to sanctify the Umrah traveler
through the balance of
the year.
Above...circa 1880
Placed into the Eastern corner of the Ka’ba rests the Hajar al-Aswad
(literally the black
stone). During the Tawaf (performance of the Hajj) pilgrims kiss
or touch the black stone
as they circumambulate the Ka’ba.
There is no indication as to where this stone originated, but since
it pre-dates the
revelation of the Holy Qur'an and Muhammad's prophethood, it must stem
from the time
of Abraham since the Hajj traditions are traceable to the Patriarch
of monotheism. It is
remarkable, however, that even though the temple contained 360 idols
worshipped before
Muhammad's Prophethood, the black stone was never kissed or made an
idol of worship.
In fact, the Ka’ba was never worshipped by the idolaters prior to Muhammad's
Prophethood. The building contained idols of worship but the building
itself was never an
object of worship.
Above....Circa 1950 C.E.
The fact that the Ka’ba was rebuilt by Abraham is a historical fact.
In addition, since the
stone has been there ever since, it stands to reason that Abraham placed
the stone in the
Ka’ba. The Black Stone is in fact the cornerstone of the Ka’ba
and is there as an
emblem of the progeny of Abraham which was rejected by the Israelites
and became the
corner stone of the Kingdom of God.
The Psalms contains a clear reference to it
(Psalms 118:22): “The stone which the builders refused is become the
head-stone of the
corner.”
Ishmael was looked on as being rejected by God, or so the Israelites
believed. Yet it
was as a progeny of Ishmael that the Last Prophet, “the head-stone
of the corner” was
to arise.
While David referred to it as “the stone which the builders refused,”
Jesus spoke of it
more plainly in the parable of the husbandman, telling the Israelites
that the vineyard,
which in the parable stands for the Kingdom of God, would be taken
away from them
and given to “other husbandmen:” that is, to a non-Israelite
(Matthew 21:42) “Did ye never read in the scriptures. The stone which
the builders rejected,
the same is become the head of the corner?”
(Matthew 21:43) “The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given
to a nation
bringing forth the fruits thereof”
That by the rejected stone in the prophecy (21:42) was meant a rejected
nation (21:43)
is made clear by Jesus Christ. That this rejected nation was none other
than the
Ishmaelites has been borne out by history.
Above....2000 C.E.
The Black Stone, therefore, passes for the mithaq, the primordial covenant
between the
Creator and His created. And in the whole world there is only this
unhewn stone, the
stone which was
(Daniel 2:45), “Cut out of the mountains without hands”
and that is the corner-stone of a building, which in point of importance,
stands unique in the world.
Touching or kissing the stone has a profound impact on the faithful
as it is said to
count in their favor on judgment day. The great Muslim traveller from
Valencia, Ibn
Jubayr (1145-1217) describes the emotion he felt on touching the stone.
“The stone, when one kisses it, has a softness and freshness which
delights the mouth; so
much so that he who places his lips upon it wishes never to remove
them.…”
It suffices, moreover, that the Prophet said that it is the “Right Hand” of God on earth.”
The single most important reason for kissing the stone is that Prophet
Muhammad
(SAW) did so. No devotional significance whatsoever is attached to
the stone. The
Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, made this crystal clear when, on kissing
the stone himself
in emulation of the Prophet, he proclaimed
(CDLXXXIV; Sahih Muslim; Kitab al-Hajj; p. 642) “I know that you
are but a stone,
incapable of doing good or harm. Had I not seen the Messenger
of God kiss you – may
God’s blessing and peace be upon him, I would not kiss you.”
Kissing or touching the Black Stone is a reverential act of acknowledgment
that God’s
hand directed its placement and construction. That Abraham and Muhammad,
God’s
blessing upon them, had touched and kissed the stone as an acknowledgment
that God
had entrusted the “corner stone” of His religious central focus for
man upon that hollowed
and sacred place.