According to a statement attributed to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), the reason for touching the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) was its role as an expiation for sins.
The practice of kissing or touching the Black Stone is a significant act during the pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah in Islam. While it is an act of following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the underlying wisdom is rooted in spiritual purification.
The Prophetic Reason
The specific reason stated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for touching the Black Stone and the other Yemeni Corner (Ar-Rukn al-Yamani) is related to the forgiveness of sins. A narration provides this direct insight:
- Prophetic Saying: "Touching them is an expiation for sins."
- Source: Narrated in Sunan at-Tirmidhi.
- Authentication: Classed as saheeh (authentic) by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.
This indicates that the Prophet Muhammad's action was not merely tradition but was linked to a specific spiritual benefit for the worshipper – the removal or forgiveness of past wrongdoings.
Significance in Islamic Practice
The act of kissing, touching, or gesturing towards the Black Stone is a sunnah (prophetic tradition) performed during the tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba. It is done at the beginning of each circuit if possible.
How Muslims Follow This Tradition
- Kissing: The ideal way, if possible without causing harm or difficulty.
- Touching: If kissing is not possible, touching the stone with the hand.
- Gesturing: If neither kissing nor touching is possible due to crowds, one can point towards the stone from a distance.
In all these cases, the intention is to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and seek the expiation of sins mentioned in the hadith. The physical stone itself is not worshipped; rather, the act of reverence directed towards it is an act of obedience to Allah by following the Prophet's example, carrying the spiritual promise mentioned.
This practice highlights the importance of the Black Stone within the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, connecting the physical actions of worship with profound spiritual outcomes, specifically the purification from sins as stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
