The Black Stone of Mecca (al-Hajar al-Aswad) was stolen in 930 CE by the Qarmatians led by Abu Tahir al-Jannabi.
During the Hajj pilgrimage in 930 CE, the Qarmatians, a heterodox Isma'ili Shi'a group, launched a notorious attack on the holy city of Mecca. Their leader, Abu Tahir, orchestrated the assault.
The Attack of 930 CE
The provided reference details the scale and nature of this infamous event:
During the Hajj of 930 CE, Abu Tahir led the Qarmatians' most infamous attack when he pillaged Mecca and desecrated Islam's most sacred sites. Unable to gain entry to the city initially, he called upon the right of all Muslims to enter the city and gave his oath that he came in peace.
- Leader: Abu Tahir al-Jannabi
- Group: Qarmatians
- Year: 930 CE
- Location: Mecca, during the Hajj
- Actions: Pillaged the city, desecrated sacred sites, killed pilgrims.
This attack is historically significant not only for the violence and desecration but also because it involved the theft of the revered Black Stone from the Kaaba.
The Theft of the Black Stone
Following the brutal attack and massacre of pilgrims, the Qarmatians removed the Black Stone from its setting in the Kaaba.
- The stone was taken to their base in Bahrain.
- It remained in their possession for over two decades.
- During this time, the Qarmatians reportedly demanded a large ransom for its return.
The theft of the Black Stone was a profound shock to the Islamic world, symbolizing the depth of the Qarmatians' rebellion against the established Islamic order and their extreme actions.
Return of the Stone
The Black Stone was eventually returned to Mecca around 952 CE, under circumstances that are debated by historians, but generally attributed to pressure from the Abbasid Caliphate and possibly the offer of a ransom or negotiation. Its return was a major event, allowing the Hajj rituals involving the stone to be fully restored.
Summary Table: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Leader | Abu Tahir al-Jannabi |
| Group | Qarmatians |
| Event | Attack and pillage of Mecca |
| Year | 930 CE |
| Primary Act | Theft of the Black Stone |
| Stone Taken To | Bahrain |
| Duration | Approximately 22 years |
The attack led by Abu Tahir in 930 CE and the subsequent theft of the Black Stone remain one of the most dramatic and violent episodes in the history of the Hajj and the city of Mecca.
