I. A Look at the Most Thought-Out Ritual Object in Islam
The Kaaba and the Black Stone: The name “Kaaba” (Arabic: al-Kaʿbah, meaning “The Cube”) is intriguing because the building is shaped like a cube and covered by “Kiswa.” This ambiguity originates from three significant transformations:
Abrahamic Roots: Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail built it in the shape of a rectangle measuring about 14 meters by 10 meters.
Reconstruction of the Quraysh (604 CE): Due to limited funds, the leaders of the Meccan civilization cut down one side by more than 6 feet, resulting in the nearly cube-shaped structure we see today (12.86 m x 11.03 m x 13.1 m).
Theological Significance: The word “Kaaba” goes beyond mathematics; its root word, kaʿb, means “height” or “eminence.” Its shape changed, but its holy status as “Allah’s Sacred House” (Quran 5:97) stayed the same.
Table of Contents
History: The Kaaba and the Black Stone | Between Symbols and Holy History
The “Black Stone” is in the Kaaba, which is also known as “Hajar al-Awad” in Arabic. It is in the eastern corner of the House of God. Tawaf, the most important part of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, starts and ends at this holy stone. In the past, many people, including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), other important prophets, the Sahabah, and millions of pilgrims and religious leaders, have made the holy trips of Hajj and Umrah to ask Allah for prayers and benefits. An important part of these spiritual journeys is honoring the Black Stone in the Kaaba.
The Black Stone probably originated from the pre-Islamic religion of the Arabs. Currently, it is split into several small blocks, with several pieces attached, and is surrounded by a stone ring, which is secured by a silver band. According to Islamic mythology, the stone was given to Adam when he was expelled from Paradise. It was originally white in color, but it turned black as it absorbed the sins of pilgrims who touched and kissed it.
II. The Kaaba and the Black Stone: From White to Black:
This old stone has deep meanings in Islamic tradition:
Origin in the sky: Real hadiths say it came down from paradise “whiter than milk” (Musnad Aḥmad).
A metaphor for sin: as people did wrong things, it got darker over time, showing how morals can be corrupted. “If sins darken stone, imagine what they do to the heart,” said the scholar Al-Tabari.
Eschatological Witness: It will speak on Judgement Day for true believers (Sunan Ibn Mājah), and its dark state will show the spiritual journey of people.
III. The Declaration of Caliph Umar (RA):
A Protective Theological Measure Umar ibn al-Khattab’s famous speech to the stone shows how Islam rejects worshipping other gods:
“I know you are a stone that doesn’t do any good or harm.” I wouldn’t have kissed you if I hadn’t seen Allah’s Messenger do it.” (al-Bukhārī)This sentence:
Made Intent Clearer: When you kiss the stone, you are showing respect for Muhammad (PBUH), not the item itself.
Watched Out for Shirk: stopped rituals from being taken the wrong way, as worship.
Evolution of Kaaba’s Structure
Based on the Sunnah: put the practice of the prophets above pre-Islamic paganism.
| Period | Dimensions | Shape | Key Actors |
| Abrahamic | ~14m × 10m | Rectangular | Ibrahim & Ismail |
| Pre-Islamic | Similar to Abrahamic | Rectangular | Quraysh tribes |
| 604 CE | Reduced length | → Cubic | Quraysh (Muhammad mediated) |
| Present | 12.86m × 11.03m × 13.1m | Cubic | Saudi custodians |
IV. The Kaaba and the Black Stone: Trials and Triumphs in The stone’s
Spiritual strength is in comparison to how fragile it is:
Broken: It was broken during the Umayyad siege in 683 CE.
Stolen: Taken by the Qarmatians and held for 22 years before being returned.
Preserved: Today, the pieces are put together in a silver frame, which shows how important the idea is over the physical form.
V. Why Keep a Stone?
The Black Stone: This is where Tawaf begins, bringing together travellers from all over the world.
Muslims are linked to Ibrahim’s promise, not as a god but as a way to remember the prophets.
Takes on a central Islamic principle: Spiritual purpose can be channelled through physical rituals.
Conclusion:
The Kaaba and the Black Stone, In the end, the stone acts as a mirror.
The Kaaba and its Black Stone are examples of how Islam can use cultural legacy to bring about tawhid, or divine unity. Critics see a continuation of paganism, but Muslims see rituals taken back:
The darkened stone shows how flawed people are; Umar’s words warn against belief; kissing becomes a promise to follow the truth of the prophets.
“The heart’s journey to Allah requires physical anchors—not to confine Him, but to direct us,” wrote the scholar Ibn Taymiyyah in the 1400s.
So, the Black Stone doesn’t live on as an object of worship. Instead, it lives on as a silent teacher, telling believers that true submission isn’t about stone, direction, or ritual; it’s all about what’s in the heart.
FAQ:
Q1. If it was not the original cube shape then why was it called “Kaaba” during the time of Prophet Ibrahim?
A: The name “Kaaba” (al-Kaʿbah) comes from the Arabic word “kaʿb,” which means “height” or “eminence,” indicating how high it is. It was built by Ibrahim(RA) and Ismail(RA) and was originally rectangular (about 14m x 10m). However, the Quraysh group shortened one side during reconstruction in 604 CE because they lacked sufficient funds, which resulted in a more rectangular shape (approximately 12.86m x 11.03m x 13.1m). The name originates from its holy significance, rather than its precise shape.
Q2.This is the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). What is it?
A: It’s a holy stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. According to Islamic belief, it came from Paradise and was given to Adam. it was “whiter than milk.” When people do Hajj and Umrah, they start and end their Tawaf (circumambulation) there.
Q3.What makes the Black Stone black?
A: Islamic custom says that it got darker over time because pilgrims who touch or kiss it bring their sins with them. The way this changes is a powerful metaphor for how sin changes people (“If sins darken stone, imagine what they do to the heart” – Al-Tabari).
Q4. Why do Muslims touch or kiss the Black Stone? Does it honour God?
A: It’s not worship, no. Touching or kissing the Stone is a way to follow the Sunnah (law) of the Prophet Muhammad and be like Prophet Ibrahim, who came before him. This was made very clear by Caliph Umar: “I know you are a stone that does no good or harm.” I wouldn’t have kissed you unless I had seen the Prophet of Allah do it. This action shows respect for the custom of the prophets and obedience to God, not worship of the stone itself. It keeps people from worshipping false gods (Shirk).
Q5.What does the Black Stone stand for?
A: It stands for a number of things:Human Sin and Redemption: The dimming of it shows how morally bad people are. Muslims are connected to Ibrahim, Ismail, and Muhammad (PBUH) through the Prophetic Legacy. Eschatological Witness: On the Day of Judgment, it will speak for true Islam. Divine Unity (Tawhid): Its job is to turn the heart toward Allah, not the stone itself.
Q6. In the past, what happened to the Black Stone?
A: It has been through a lot of hard times:
During the Umayyad siege of Mecca (683 CE), it was broken up into pieces.
The Qarmatians, a radical group, took it and held it for ransom for 22 years before giving it back.
The Kaaba now has 7 pieces that are held together by a stone ring and a silver band.
The four pieces of the holy Black Stone from the southeast corner of the Kaaba have been kept safe at the Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Istanbul for almost 500 years.
In 1571, Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha had a mosque built in the Kadırga area. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent brought these important pieces to Istanbul and installed them in the mosque.
It is set in different parts of the mosque, including the entrance, the middle of the marble floor, above the prayer niche (mihrab), above the door to the pulpit (minbar), and under the dome above the minbar. Each piece is covered in gold.
Q7. If Islam is based on a single god, then why keep a stone that might have been used before Islam?
A: The Kaaba and the Stone were pre-Islamic symbols that were used in Islam, but they were radically reinterpreted within the framework of total monotheism (Tawhid). They were taken back: the Kaaba was cleaned of all the idols and given back to Allah alone.
Rituals that involved the Stone, like kissing it, were seen as ways to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and not as worship of the object itself.
It took on a new meaning in Islam, like getting darker from sin. Putting your mental focus on Allah is what the physical anchor does.
Q8.In what place is the Black Stone exactly?
A: It is set into the eastern corner (Al-Rukn al-Aswad) of the Kaaba.
Q9.Do pilgrims still touch the Black Stone?
A: Because there are so many pilgrims, touching or kissing the Stone is often hard and takes a lot of work in the crowd. A lot of Hujjaj point to it with their right hand and say “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) as they walk by it during Tawaf. In terms of purpose, this action is the same as touching it.
Q10. What is the Black Stone’s most important lesson?
A: There is a “silent teacher” in it that says true submission (Islam) is not about the stone, the direction (Qibla), or the act itself; it’s about how devoted your heart is to God. Its darkened state shows how flawed people are, while the rituals performed around it, when done with the right purpose (like Umar’s declaration), show obedience and the search for divine unity.