The Black Stone of Kaaba
 
Muslim pilgrims are shown standing next to the sacred Black Stone of Kaaba

The Black Stone of Kaaba or Mecca is called in Arabic 'Al-hajar Al-aswad.'   The stone itself is a Muslim object of veneration, built into the eastern wall of the Ka'bah (small shrine within the Great Mosque of Mecca) and probably dating from the pre-Islamic religion of the Arabs.  It now consists of three large pieces and some fragments, surrounded by a stone ring and held together with a silver band.  According to popular Islamic legend, the stone was given to Adam on his fall from paradise and was originally white but has become black by absorbing the sins of the thousands of pilgrims who have kissed and touched it.  In 930 it was carried away by the fanatics of the Qarmatian sect and held for ransom for about 20 years.

During performing the Hajj ceremony a Muslim walks seven times around the Ka'bah (or Kaaba), a shrine within the Mosque and then he or she kisses and touch the Black Stone. Therefore, it is very much an integral part of the Hajj ceremony.
 

A pilgrim is kissing the Black Stone.  The stone is enlarged in the inset.
Perhaps the most exalted rock in every sense is the Black Stone of the Kaaba, a dark boulder set in gold in the outer wall of Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, in Mecca. Muslim sites make it clear that the Black Stone is not worshipped and not considered holy in itself. It's merely a much-loved marker, the "official" starting point of the walk around the Kaaba that forms the core of the holy pilgrimage called the hajj. There was a period of time when the Black Stone was taken away, for instance, and the hajj was not affected. This is a more modern viewpoint than the Scots', I think.

The Black Stone has just one legend, and it's a good one. It's said that when Abraham and Ishmael, patriarchs of the Arab people, were building the Kaaba, the stone was delivered to them by an angel from heaven. That story would suggest that the Black Stone is a meteorite, and indeed meteorites have been prized and revered by many different peoples around the world. But I wouldn't ask any Muslim, even a geologist, to waste one second of their hajj examining the stone to satisfy my curiosity.


 
Here is a related story to the Black Stone of Mecca from the perpective of a true believer
 

"The sons of Makhzum should raise the Black Stone," declared one of the men in the circle. "It is our right as foremost of the tribes."

"Who gave you such a position?" demanded another man. "The sons of Jumah will raise it!"

"Not while the sons of Abdu Manaf stand here," said another. "The honor should be ours."

"Then you will have to fight for it," cried another. "None but the sons of Abdul-Dar shall raise the stone!"

In the years before Muhammad's holy mission, it happened that the tribes around Mecca decided to rebuild their temple, the Kaaba. In those days, the Kaaba was simply a yard enclosed by a wall. Their plan was to build a higher, thicker wall and add a roof.

Each tribe had chosen a section of the wall and started pulling down the stones. The sacred Black Stone, built into the east corner, had been removed carefully and set aside.

At last they had gotten down to the foundation laid by Abraham. They had begun to rebuild, and the wall had grown steadily higher. But when the time had come to raise the Black Stone back to its place, they could not agree on which tribe would have the honor.

The dispute grew fiercer and fiercer, till it seemed likely that blood would flow. But then Abu Amayya said, "Brothers, let us not fight among ourselves. I have an idea: Wait for the next man who comes through the gate, then give the decision to him."

All agreed and settled down to wait. And it happened that the first man to enter the gate was Muhammad, he whom they called "The Trustworthy One."

When Muhammad had listened to their claims, he considered for a moment. Then he said, "Bring me a cloak."

They brought one, and Muhammad spread it on the ground. Then he took the Black Stone and placed it in the center.

"Each tribe will choose a man to hold the cloak by its edge. Then all will raise the stone together."

This was done, and Muhammad himself set the stone in place. Then all the tribes were satisfied, and work went on with no further dispute.

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About the Story
Muhammad, the founder of Islam, lived in Arabia from 570 to 632 A.D. Though in later years he took to warfare to spread his religion, Muhammad's teachings were often aimed at conciliation -- a trait found also in this tale of his early life.

The story concerns the Kaaba ("KAH-buh") -- meaning "Cube" -- a Muslim shrine in the Arabian city of Mecca. Muslims believe the original Kaaba was built by Abraham and his first son, Ishmael, legendary founder of the Arab race. Set into one corner of the building is a black stone about eight inches in diameter, said to have fallen from heaven. This stone -- possibly a meteorite -- is the most sacred relic of Islam.

All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives if they are able. Today, as many as two million pilgrims a year visit the Kaaba and kiss the Black Stone.

Whether or not the Kaaba was truly built by Abraham, it existed well before Muhammad, and at the time of this story was used as a temple for tribal gods.

The tale is found in the Sirat Rasul Allah of Ibn Ishaq, the earliest complete biography of Muhammad, compiled a little more than a century after Muhammad's death.


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