Hajr Al Aswat

Today I left the Hotel at 3.30 AM to the Grand Mosque. Once I arrived there, I performed a Tavaaf (Circling of the Kaaba) and just as I finised the 7th circuit, I realised that I had 15 minutes before the Fajar Azaan (early morning call to prayer). People had already started making Saaf's (rows of lines) around the Kaaba. I decided to join one of the Saaf and fortunatey got the 5th Saaf right in front of Hajar Al Aswat. There was a Chinese family from mainland China consisting of a mature aged father, mother & their middle aged son. I spoke to them to find out where they are from however just as I was speaking to them, a huge crowd was making their way towards us and this Chinese family were pushed away from me. I felt so sorry for them as the lady was very fragile and I am sure she must have longed to pray at this spot throughout her life. Hope they get another opportunity.

What is Hajr Al Aswat?

Its a Black Stone relic, which according to tradition dates back to the time of Adam & Eve. It is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba the black cube built by Prophet Abraham & Ishmael. The Stone fell from Heaven to show Adam & Eve where to build an altar as the first place of worship of the one true God. The Altar became the first place of worship on Earth. The Stone was originally pure and dazzling white, but has since turned black because of the sins it has absorbed over the years. It is believed that Adam's altar and the stone were lost in Noah's Flood and forgotten. It was Prophet Abraham who found the Black Stone at the original site of Adam's altar when the Archangel Gabriel revealed it to him. Prophet Abraham & his son Prophet Ishmael build the Kaaba at the original Alter of Adam imbibing this Stone as a corner stone it its construction.

When pilgrims circle the Kaaba as part of the Tavaaf the ritual of walking seven circuite of the Kaaba, if possible its advisable to stop and kiss the Black Stone, emulating similar act by Prophet Muhammad, however due to crowds its almost impossible to do it hence a pilgrim is expected just point to it on each of their seven circuits around the Kaaba.