The Rites of Hajj (Kitab Al-Manasik Wa'l-Hajj) - Sunan Abi Dawud 1873

Abis bin Rabi'ah reported on the authority of 'Umar that he came to the Black Stone and said: "I know for sure that you are a stone which can neither benefit nor injure, and had I not seen the Apostle of Allah kissing you, I would not have kissed you."

Scholarly Commentary

This narration demonstrates the proper Islamic understanding of rituals - they are performed purely in obedience to Allah's command and in emulation of the Prophet's example, not because the physical objects possess inherent power.

'Umar's statement clarifies that kissing the Black Stone is an act of worship (ta'abbud) following the Sunnah, not an act of worship directed to the stone itself. The stone has no divine qualities and cannot benefit or harm anyone.

This establishes an important principle in Islamic jurisprudence: acts of worship are validated by following the Prophetic tradition, not by human reasoning about their apparent benefits.

The wisdom behind such rituals lies in complete submission to Allah's commandments, even when the underlying wisdom may not be apparent to human intellect.

Legal Ruling

Kissing the Black Stone is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah mu'akkadah) of Hajj and Umrah according to the majority of scholars. If one cannot reach it due to crowds, one may point toward it and say "Allahu Akbar."