The Black Stone Of Paradise

The Hajr-e-Aswad is a Black Stone, in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca.

The stone was brought to earth from paradise/Jannah by Angel Jibrail (Aalehe As'salam) when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS) were building Kaaba. When it was first brought from paradise/Jannah it was whiter and brighter than snow and milk and its length was about one feet. Allah SWT has given the stone a special place and said that anyone kissing it will be forgiven for all the sins, and on the Day of Judgement the Hijre-Aswad will testify for everyone visiting it. Over the years the stone has become dull and black and reduced in size because it has "sucked" the sins of all the sinners visiting it. It is believed that the other half that is embedded in the wall is still whiter and brighter than snow and milk. Please be informed that kissing the stone while visiting Kaaba is only voluntary and pilgrims do it because it is the sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH). Imagining that you are kissing it while standing at a distance is also enough. Also be informed that people do not worship the stone, neither have it been worshipped. This stone is called Hajr-e-Aswad [Black stone]. This stone was probably part of a meteoroid. That fell near Mecca on a Mountain called Abu Qubais. At the time of Construction of Ka'ba. Hadrat Ibrahim [Abraham].Brought it down and placed in the corner of the Ka'ba .as a great sign and a monument, Anyone who performs Pilgrimage is expected to kiss this Memorial stone. This stone part of Allah's mark and is a sign of Him. Being the Supreme Being, One loves the thing that belongs to one's beloved, The same philosophy exists behind kissing the stone. '' This stone has no Power and Provides neither Benefit nor Harm to Anyone'' Regarding the black stone, Hajr-e-Aswad, Umar the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said:

"I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".

[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Chapter 56, Tradition No. 675]

"Umar ibn al-Khattab (580-644), the second Caliph, came to kiss the Stone, he said in front of all assembled: "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm anyone nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger [Muhammad] kissing you, I would not have kissed you."

Hadhrat Jibrael(AS) placed the stone in its place, and Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) applied the finishing touches. The Hajre Aswad was sparkling because of its pure whiteness, and it enlightened the north, south, east, and west. It has been related in a Hadith that Hadhrat Jibrael(AS) brought the Hajre Aswad from Jannah. In another Hadith, it has been said by Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (SAW), that the Hajre Aswad and Makame Ibrahim are the two pearls from the pearls of Jannah. They came down from the sky with divine light, and after being placed on the earth their light was extinguished. If Allah Ta’ala had not extinguished their light the two stones would have lit all that which is in between the sky and the earth. The Hajre Aswad is that stone, from which millions of Muslims begin their tawaaf. When it first came from Paradise, it was brighter than snow and milk. Its length is approximately one foot and is embedded in the corner of the Kabah. Allah Ta’ala has given the stone a special attribute, that if any human kisses, touches or even gives istilam to the stone, it seeks forgiveness of sins for that very human and on the day of Judgement the stone will be given a tongue and will give witness for whoever has visited it on that day.

The stone slowly started losing its whiteness because of the large quantity of sinners kissing the stone. For this apparent reason part the stone has become black, but the embedded part in the structure of the Kabah is still white. A further attribute of this stone is that the noble Prophet (SAW) has kissed this stone, so whenever anyone touches or kisses the stone, he is kissing or touching the place where the lips of the Prophet (SAW) had touched.