Tafsir of Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 1597

This narration from the chapter of Hajj (Pilgrimage) in Sahih al-Bukhari presents the profound wisdom of Sayyiduna `Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the ritual of kissing the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad).

The Nature of Acts of Worship

`Umar's statement demonstrates the Islamic principle that acts of worship (ibadat) are fundamentally based on divine instruction (tawqifiyyah), not human reasoning alone. While the intellect may not comprehend the wisdom behind certain rituals, the Muslim submits to Allah's command as conveyed through the Prophet (ﷺ).

His clarification that the Stone can neither benefit nor harm affirms the Islamic doctrine of tawhid - that all power belongs to Allah alone. Created objects possess no inherent power, and worship is directed solely to the Creator.

Following the Prophetic Example

The primary reason `Umar gives for kissing the Stone is his witnessing of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) doing so. This establishes the supreme authority of the Sunnah in Islamic practice. The Muslim community follows the Prophet's example in matters of worship, regardless of whether the underlying wisdom is apparent to human understanding.

This incident beautifully illustrates the balance between intellectual conviction and obedient submission that characterizes the faith of the companions.

Scholarly Commentary

Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that `Umar made this declaration to educate the people and prevent any potential misunderstanding that might lead to shirk (associating partners with Allah). His words protect the purity of tawhid while simultaneously affirming the obligation to follow the Prophetic tradition.

The Black Stone serves as the starting point for tawaf (circumambulation) and kissing it is a sunnah act that commemorates the stone's noble history dating back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael), peace be upon them both.