The Qarmatians stole the Black Stone of Mecca.
The Qarmatians, a radical Ismaili Shia group, infamously raided Mecca in 930 CE (317 AH). During their sacrilegious attack, they desecrated the Kaaba, stripping it of its valuable ornaments and relics. They even went so far as to remove the doors. Most notably, they forcibly removed the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) from its place in the Kaaba and carried it away to their base in al-Ahsa, in eastern Arabia.
The Black Stone remained in Qarmatian possession for about 22 years. According to historical accounts, the Abbasid Caliphate eventually negotiated its return in 952 CE (339 AH) for a substantial ransom. The stone was reportedly returned by a Qarmatian leader with a note stating their act was to disprove the Islamic faith.
