I saw `Umar kiss the Black Stone and say: I know that you are a stone and cannot cause harm or bring benefit, but I saw Abul-Qasim (ﷺ) show respect to you.
Exposition of the Hadith from Musnad `Umar b. al-Khattab (ra)
This narration from Musnad Ahmad 274 demonstrates the profound wisdom of the Companions in following the Sunnah while maintaining proper theological understanding.
Theological Foundation
Sayyiduna `Umar's declaration "I know that you are a stone and cannot cause harm or bring benefit" establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of tawhid - that all power belongs solely to Allah. This prevents any misunderstanding that the Stone possesses inherent divine qualities.
His statement serves as protection against shirk (associating partners with Allah) and clarifies that rituals are performed purely in obedience to Divine command, not because created objects have intrinsic power.
Following the Prophetic Example
The phrase "I saw Abul-Qasim show respect to you" illustrates the Companions' meticulous adherence to the Prophet's teachings. They understood that emulating the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in all matters of worship brings one closer to Allah.
This demonstrates that acts of worship are validated by following the Sunnah, not by personal reasoning about their apparent wisdom.
Legal Ruling and Spiritual Wisdom
Kissing the Black Stone is a confirmed Sunnah act during tawaf. The scholars state it expiates sins and serves as a testimony on the Day of Judgment for those who fulfilled this rite properly.
The wisdom behind such rituals lies in complete submission to Allah's commands, training the soul to obey without always comprehending the underlying reasons, thus strengthening one's faith.