Hajr-e-Aswad: The Black Stone of the Kaaba Explained
Every Tawaf around the Kaaba begins and ends at one special corner: the corner of the Hajr-e-Aswad, or Black Stone. Millions of pilgrims raise their hands towards it each year, and many long to touch or kiss it as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did.
In this guide you will learn what the Black Stone is, its history, the Sunnah way of greeting it, and why your safety and the safety of others come first. We keep the explanation simple and stay with what is known from authentic sources.
Key takeaways
- Each round of Tawaf starts and ends in line with the Black Stone.
- Kissing, touching or pointing are all valid ways to follow the Sunnah.
- Never push or harm others to reach the stone.
- Our respect for the stone is following the Prophet ﷺ; worship is only for Allah.
In this guide
What is the Hajr-e-Aswad?
The Hajr-e-Aswad is a stone set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba, about 1.5 metres above the ground. Today you see several dark pieces held together and surrounded by a silver frame. Muslims do not worship the stone; worship is only for Allah. The stone is honoured because the Prophet ﷺ honoured it.
There are narrations that describe the Black Stone as coming from Paradise. In a hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi, the Prophet ﷺ said that it came down from Paradise whiter than milk and was blackened by the sins of the children of Adam. Scholars have discussed the strength of such narrations, but its honour in Islam is clear.
A short history
- Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them): Muslim tradition relates that the stone was placed in the Kaaba when they rebuilt the House of Allah.
- The Prophet ﷺ before prophethood: when Quraysh rebuilt the Kaaba, the tribes argued over who would put the stone back. They agreed to accept the judgement of the first man to enter, and it was Muhammad ﷺ. He placed the stone on a cloth, asked a leader of each tribe to hold an edge, and then set it in place with his own hands. This wise solution prevented a war.
- Later history: in the 10th century CE, the Qarmatians attacked Makkah and took the stone away for about twenty years before it was returned. The stone was later broken into pieces, which are now held together in the silver frame.
The Black Stone and Tawaf
Tawaf means walking around the Kaaba seven times, anticlockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left. Each round starts and ends in line with the Black Stone. A green light on the wall of the mosque, facing the Black Stone corner, marks the starting line. When you are in line with the corner, you face it, raise your right hand and say “Allahu Akbar” (some add “Bismillah”).
For men in the Tawaf of arrival during Umrah, it is Sunnah to uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) and to walk briskly in the first three rounds (raml) if possible.
Istilam: the Sunnah way of greeting the stone
Istilam means touching or greeting the stone. The Sunnah has three levels, depending on the crowd:
- Kissing it if you can reach it easily without harming anyone.
- Touching it with your hand and kissing your hand, if you cannot kiss it.
- Pointing to it with your right hand from a distance and saying “Allahu Akbar”. You do not kiss your hand in this case.
All three are valid ways to follow the Sunnah. Most pilgrims, especially in busy times, simply point. That is completely fine and your Tawaf is complete.
The famous words of Umar
Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) once kissed the Black Stone and said: “I know that you are a stone that can neither harm nor benefit. Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ kiss you, I would not have kissed you” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). These words teach the heart of the matter: our respect for the stone is obedience and love for the Prophet ﷺ, and our worship belongs only to Allah.
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Safety first: please do not push
The area around the Black Stone can become dangerously crowded. People push, children get squeezed and elderly pilgrims fall. Scholars agree that harming others to reach the stone is not allowed, because kissing it is Sunnah while not harming people is an obligation. Women should avoid the crowd of men around the corner.
- Point from a distance during busy times.
- If you really wish to try, go very late at night or between prayers on quieter days, and leave immediately if it gets tight.
- Never pay someone who offers to “get you to the stone”.
- Keep your belongings safe; crowds attract pickpockets.
- Remember that the stone is perfumed by staff. If you are in Ihram, touching it may put perfume on you, which is to be avoided.
Teaching children about the Black Stone
Children are often curious about the Black Stone and may want to rush towards it. Before the trip, tell them the story of the Prophet ﷺ placing the stone on a cloth and asking each tribe to help. It is a beautiful lesson in wisdom and unity. Explain that we raise our hands and say Allahu Akbar because we follow the Prophet ﷺ, and that being gentle with people is part of worship too.
In the Mataf, keep children on the inner side of your group, away from the strongest crowd flow, and agree on a meeting point if anyone gets separated.
Other special places near the Black Stone
- Al-Multazam: the wall between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba, where pilgrims make dua.
- Al-Rukn al-Yamani: the Yemeni corner, the corner before the Black Stone. It is Sunnah to touch it if easy, without kissing it, and not to point to it.
- Maqam Ibrahim: the station of Ibrahim, where pilgrims pray two rak’ahs after Tawaf if space allows.
Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, many pilgrims recite: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:201).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hajr-e-Aswad?
It is the Black Stone set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba, where each round of Tawaf begins and ends.
Is it necessary to kiss the Black Stone?
No. Kissing it is Sunnah only if it can be done without harming anyone. Pointing to it from a distance and saying Allahu Akbar is enough.
Do Muslims worship the Black Stone?
No. Muslims worship only Allah. The stone is honoured because the Prophet ﷺ honoured it, as Umar’s famous words explain.
Can I touch the Black Stone in Ihram?
The stone is usually perfumed, and perfume is to be avoided in Ihram, so many pilgrims prefer to point to it.
How do I know where Tawaf starts?
Tawaf starts in line with the Black Stone corner. Green lights on the walls of the Haram mark the line.
What is the best time to approach the stone?
Late at night and between prayers are usually less crowded, but never push or harm others.
Arriving for Umrah soon? Message Zikr Cabs on WhatsApp at +966 59 590 1564 for a fixed price before you travel.
Related guides and services
- Jeddah Airport to Makkah taxi
- Haramain train station taxi
- Makkah Ziyarat taxi
- Masjid Aisha Meeqat taxi
- All routes and fixed prices
Sources and further reading
- General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 – Umar and the Black Stone (sunnah.com)
- Quran 2:201 (quran.com)
This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.
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