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EPISODE 4️⃣3️⃣ – HISTORICAL STRUCTURES OF MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH (مكة المكرمة)
Al-Hajar Al-Aswad (ٱلْحَجَرُ ٱلْأَسْوَد) – The Black Stone
⚫ The Black Stone, located in the eastern wall of the Holy Ka’aba is an historical stone that dated back to the time of Nabiy Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).
⚫ It is believed to be brought on from paradise and presented to Nabiy Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) or that (according to another tradition) it fell to the earth from paradise.
⚫ The Hajar al-Aswad, once a whole stone now consist of several pieces held together by cement and a silver frame. The shattering is caused by various events in its history.
⚫ Once the stone was struck and smashed to pieces by a stone fired from a catapult during the Umayyad Caliphate’s siege of Mecca in 683.
⚫ Again, in January 930, it was stolen by the Qarmatians and according to Imam Abd al-Malik ibn Yūsuf al-Juwaynīwas, it was returned in 952. The event led to more damage to the stone.
Pre Islamic History
⚫ The stone was held so important and venerated by the Arabs of Makkah since the days of Jahiliyah.
⚫ Once upon a time the stone was removed from the Ka’aba to enable a renovation, dispute arose among the tribes of Makkah as to who should have the honor of placing the stone back to its place. After much argument and deliberation, they decided on taking advice from the next person to enter. Whence, Muhammad (ﷺ) came in.
He requested for a clothe in which he placed the stone at its center and instructed all the tribes delegates to hold the clothe at its ends and together, they lifted it to the eastern wall of the Ka’aba where Muhammad lifted it and placed it in the wall.
The clans were satisfied with the decision. Among this are the signs of the Prophet’s wisdom.
Post Islamic History
⚫ The stone reserved its significance after the Muslim conquest of Makkah in 8 Hijr.
⚫ The stone became the marking spot for the begining and ending of the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’aba).
⚫ Once the Prophet (ﷺ) kissed the stone, and it was reported that Umar ibn Khatab commented at his replica of the Prophet action saying I know that you are a stone and have no power to harm or benefit; were it not that I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.
Hence it is permissible that one kisses the black stone or simply point at it.
⚫ Touching the stone atones for sins.
Ibn Ubaid bin Umair (رضي الله عنه) narrated from his father:
“Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) was clinging on the two corners (in a manner that I had not seen any of the Companions of the Prophet doing) so I said: ‘O Abu Abdur-Rahman! You are clinging on the two corners in a manner that I have not seen any of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) clining.’ So he said: ‘I do it because I heard the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) saying: “Touching them atones for sins.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, Book of Hajj, Hadith 959. Graded Hasan]
The two corners referred to are the corner of the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamani.
To be continued… إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللّٰهُ
ISLAM IS GOOD, ITS HISTORY IS RICH
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🕋 ISLAM GENERATION DAWAH GROUP
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