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[[File:Blackstone.jpg|right|thumb|"''Its softness and moisture were such that the sinner would never remove his mouth from it, which phenomenon made the Prophet declare it to be the covenant of Allah on earth.''" - Ibn Jubayr]] | [[File:Blackstone.jpg|right|thumb|"''Its softness and moisture were such that the sinner would never remove his mouth from it, which phenomenon made the Prophet declare it to be the covenant of Allah on earth.''" - Ibn Jubayr]] | ||
This article discusses the '''black stone''' housed at the [[Kaaba|Ka'aba]]. | This article discusses the '''black stone''' housed at the [[Kaaba|Ka'aba]]. | ||
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Five times a day Muslims prostrate towards the Ka'aba which houses the black stone (Ruknu l-Aswad). The black stone is a baetyl originating from pre-Islamic Arabian polytheism. It is an important part of the [[hajj]] pilgrimage, performed primarily because it is mandatory and because Muslims believe their sins will be forgiven.<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew."''" - {{Bukhari|2|26|596}}</ref> . The pilgrims kiss the Ka'aba's eastern cornerstone (the black rock), and if they cannot kiss it, they point to it during circumambulation. | Five times a day Muslims prostrate towards the Ka'aba which houses the black stone (Ruknu l-Aswad). The black stone is a baetyl originating from pre-Islamic Arabian polytheism. It is an important part of the [[hajj]] pilgrimage, performed primarily because it is mandatory and because Muslims believe their sins will be forgiven.<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew."''" - {{Bukhari|2|26|596}}</ref> . The pilgrims kiss the Ka'aba's eastern cornerstone (the black rock), and if they cannot kiss it, they point to it during circumambulation. | ||
Circumambulation around the Ka'aba was originally a [[ | Circumambulation around the Ka'aba was originally a [[Pagan Origins of Islam|pagan]] ritual (albeit they did it naked), as was the running through the valley between Safa and Marwa.<ref>"''Narrated 'Asim bin Sulaiman: I asked Anas bin Malik about Safa and Marwa. Anas replied, "We used to consider (i.e. going around) them a custom of the Pre-islamic period of Ignorance, so when Islam came, we gave up going around them. Then Allah revealed" "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." (2.158)''" - {{Bukhari|6|60|23}}</ref> The Ka'aba was originally a pagan shrine, housing 360 stones and statues. And pagans performed a hajj even before the advent of Islam.<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: In the year prior to the last Hajj of the Prophet when Allahs Apostle made Abu Bakr the leader of the pilgrims, the latter (Abu Bakr) sent me in the company of a group of people to make a public announcement: 'No pagan is allowed to perform Hajj after this year, and no naked person is allowed to perform Tawaf of the Kaba.' (See Hadith No. 365 Vol. 1)''" - {{Bukhari|2|26|689}}</ref> | ||
Muslims believe that the stone was "put there by Prophet [[Ibrahim]] and [[Isma'il]] (peace be upon them both) by the order of Almighty Allah, and the purpose of it was to indicate the beginning of tawaf (circumabulation of the Ka`bah)."<ref>Sheikh Ahmad Kutty - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543250 The Black Stone: History & Significance] - Islam Online, January 8, 2003</ref> However, there is no scientific, historical, or archaeological evidence that places Abraham and Ishmael at the Ka'aba. And there is no evidence that circumambulation of any building or stone was initiated by Abraham and Ishmael. | Muslims believe that the stone was "put there by Prophet [[Ibrahim]] and [[Isma'il]] (peace be upon them both) by the order of Almighty Allah, and the purpose of it was to indicate the beginning of tawaf (circumabulation of the Ka`bah)."<ref>Sheikh Ahmad Kutty - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543250 The Black Stone: History & Significance] - Islam Online, January 8, 2003</ref> However, there is no scientific, historical, or archaeological evidence that places Abraham and Ishmael at the Ka'aba. And there is no evidence that circumambulation of any building or stone was initiated by Abraham and Ishmael. | ||
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Ancient writers Herodian and Cassius Dio mention a temple in Syrian city of Emesa (nowadays known as Hims or Homs). Why was this temple special and particularly interesting for us? A local Semitic god named ''Eloh'' (meaning Lord) was worshipped there. He was better known to Romans and Greeks as Heliogabalus, a corruption of Eloh Gabal (Lord of Mountain, one of Eloh’s titles). Eloh was associated with sun and thus identified with Roman god Sol and Greek Helios. | Ancient writers Herodian and Cassius Dio mention a temple in Syrian city of Emesa (nowadays known as Hims or Homs). Why was this temple special and particularly interesting for us? A local Semitic god named ''Eloh'' (meaning Lord) was worshipped there. He was better known to Romans and Greeks as Heliogabalus, a corruption of Eloh Gabal (Lord of Mountain, one of Eloh’s titles). Eloh was associated with sun and thus identified with Roman god Sol and Greek Helios. | ||
In the temple one of the holiest relics of antiquity, the Black Stone, was kept. It was believed to come from outside earth (possibly a meteorite) and to be a manifestation of Eloh himself. Faithful from the entire Roman orient were flocking for a pilgrimage there. They were bringing valuable gifts and offerings. The followers of Eloh had to obey | In the temple one of the holiest relics of antiquity, the Black Stone, was kept. It was believed to come from outside earth (possibly a meteorite) and to be a manifestation of Eloh himself. Faithful from the entire Roman orient were flocking for a pilgrimage there. They were bringing valuable gifts and offerings. The followers of Eloh had to obey ritualistic rules. For example they had to be circumcised and were not allowed to eat pork. | ||
This cult would probably be forgotten among thousands of others if not a dramatic twist of its fortune. In 218 a young priest of that temple and a Roman citizen Varius Avitus Bassus was prompted by his power-hungry family and usurped the throne of Rome by claiming to be an illegitimate son of murdered emperor Caracalla (ruled 211-217). He ruled for just four years and is remembered mostly by his nickname – name of his god – Elagabalus. | This cult would probably be forgotten among thousands of others if not a dramatic twist of its fortune. In 218 a young priest of that temple and a Roman citizen Varius Avitus Bassus was prompted by his power-hungry family and usurped the throne of Rome by claiming to be an illegitimate son of murdered emperor Caracalla (ruled 211-217). He ruled for just four years and is remembered mostly by his nickname – name of his god – Elagabalus. | ||
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{{Quote|1={{Muslim|7|2916}}|2=Suwaid b. Ghafala reported: I saw Umar (Allah be pleased with him) kissing the Stone and clinging to it and saying: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having great love for you. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sufyin with the same chain of transmitters (and the words are):" That he ('Umar) said: But I saw Abu'l-Qasim (way peace be upon him) having great love for you." And he did not mention about clinging to it.}} | {{Quote|1={{Muslim|7|2916}}|2=Suwaid b. Ghafala reported: I saw Umar (Allah be pleased with him) kissing the Stone and clinging to it and saying: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having great love for you. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sufyin with the same chain of transmitters (and the words are):" That he ('Umar) said: But I saw Abu'l-Qasim (way peace be upon him) having great love for you." And he did not mention about clinging to it.}} | ||
== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/blstone.htm The Black Stone - the Omphalos of the Goddess] | |||
* [http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/blstone.htm The Black Stone - the Omphalos of the Goddess] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Paganism]] | ||
[[Category:Ritual]] | |||
[[Category:Relics]] | |||
[[Category:Pre-Islamic Arabia]] | |||
[[Category:Sacred history]] | |||
[[Category:Heaven]] | |||
[[Category:Sirah]] | |||