Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

what is the significance of hijra-e-aswath(stone at kaa`ba) .why people during hajj kiss that stone.  

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Answer:

Significance of black stone

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It has been reported that the Black Stone was sent by Allah Subhanah from the heavens; and when Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) and Prophet Ismail (a.s.) were commanded to build the Kaabah in Makkah, Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) to fix the Black Stone in the place where it is fixed today.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) would start his ‘tawaaf’ (circumambulation) of the Kaabah from the Black Stone and end it at the Black Stone, and he would kiss or touch the Black Stone every time he passed it during his tawaaf and declare ‘Allah-o-Akbar’.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2577 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The black stone descended from Paradise whiter than milk, but the sins of the descendants of Adam made it black."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.673 Narrated by Salim that his father said

I saw Allah's Apostle (saws) arriving at Mecca; he kissed the Black Stone Corner first while doing Tawaf, and did ramal (slow jogging) in the first three rounds of the seven rounds (of Tawaf).

One of the noble companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) declared these words near the Black Stone after the death of the Prophet (saws), "I know that you are a mere stone that can neither harm nor do any good. If I had not seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) kissing you, I would have never kissed you."

We may not have the full knowledge of the significance of the Black Stone; but as believers, it is our duty to obey and follow the Messenger of Allah (saws) unconditionally. He (saws) honored the Black Stone and kissed it, thus it is a Sunnah for us to honor and kiss this stone.

Some information devolves obligation on all those whom it reaches, even if they may not fully comprehend its significance. It is known, however, that kissing the Black Stone signifies respect for it, recognition of our obligation toward it, and using it as a means of seeking Allah's blessings. Indeed Allah has preferred some stones over others, as He preferred some countries and cities, some water, some people, some days and nights, and some months over others. The underlying spirit of all this is unconditional and unquestioning submission to our Lord and Creator, Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan