The Rites of Pilgrimage

Jabir said that when God’s messenger came to Mecca he went to the stone and touched it, then moved to his right, running three circuits and walking four. Muslim transmitted it.

Az-Zubair b. ‘Arabi said that a man asked Ibn ‘Umar about touching the stone, and he replied that he had seen God s messenger touching it and kissing it. Bukhari transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that he had not seen the Prophet touching anything in the House but the two Yamani corners (The corner containing the Black Stone and the Yamani corner to the south-east which, as is usually held, should be touched but not kissed. They are both held to be on the foundations laid by Abraham). Bukhari and Muslim.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet performed the circumambulation at the Farewell Pilgrimage on a camel and touched the corner with a crooked stick. Bukhari and Muslim.

He said that God’s messenger went round the House on a camel, and as often as he came to the corner he pointed to it with something in his hand and said, “God is most great.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abut Tufail said he saw God’s messenger going round the House, touching the corner with a crooked stick which he had, and kissing the crooked stick. Muslim transmitted it.

We went out with the Prophet mentioning nothing but the hajj, and when we were at Sarif (A place near at-Tan'im) I began to menstruate. The Prophet came in and finding me weeping, he said, “Perhaps you are menstruating.” When I replied that I was, he said, “That is something which God has decreed for the daughters of Adam; but do what the pilgrims do, with the exception of going round the House, till you are purified.” Bukhari and Muslim.

On the day of sacrifice at the pilgrimage before the Farewell Pilgrimage over which the Prophet had appointed Abu Bakr, he sent me with a group whom he had ordered to announce among the people, “After this year no polytheist may perform the pilgrimage, and no naked person may go round the House.” Bukhari and Muslim.

Al-Muhajir al-Makki said that Jabir was asked about the man who raises his hands on seeing the House and replied, “We have performed the pilgrimage along with the Prophet and we did not do so.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that God's messenger came and entered Mecca, and after he had gone forward to the stone and touched it, he went round the House. He then went to as-Safa and mounted it so that he could look at the House, then he raised his hands, began to make mention of God as much as he wished and make supplication. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “The circumambulation of the House is like prayer, except that you speak while performing it; but he who speaks must speak only what is good." Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi mentioning a number who traced it no farther back than Ibn ‘Abbas.

He reported God's messenger as saying, “The black stone descended from paradise whiter than milk, but the sins of the descendants of Adam made it black." Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying that this is a hasan sahih tradition.

He reported God’s messenger as saying concerning the stone, “I swear by God that God will certainly raise it up on the day of resurrection with eyes with which it will see and a tongue with which it will speak, and it will give testimony about those who touched it in a proper manner." Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that he heard God's messenger say, “The Corner and the Station are two of the sapphires of paradise whose light God has obliterated. If He had not done so, they would have illuminated everything between the East and West." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar used to press towards the two corners in a manner I have not seen any of the companions of God’s messenger press. He said, “If I do so, it is because I heard God’s messenger say that stroking them is an atonement for sins; and I heard him say that if anyone goes round this House for a week and counts his circuits, it will be like setting free a slave; I heard him say that no one will place one foot on the ground and raise the other without God removing a sin from him on account of it and recording a blessing for him on account of it.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. as-Sa’ib said that he heard God’s messenger say between the two corners, “O God bring us a blessing in this world and a blessing in the next, and guard us from the punishment of hell." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Safiya daughter of Shaiba said that the daughter of Abu Tujrat told her she had entered the house of the family of Abu Husain along with some women of Quraish and they had watched God’s messenger while he was running between as-Safa and al-Marwa. She saw his lower garment moving round as he ran because of the vigour with which he did it, and she heard him saying, “Run, for God has prescribed running for you." It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna, and Ahmad transmitted it with some difference.

Qudama b. ‘Abdallah b. 'Ammar said that he saw God’s messenger running between as-Safa and al-Marwa on a camel without striking it, or driving people away, or telling them to move aside. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Ya'la b. Umayya said that God’s messenger went round the House wearing a green Yamani mantle under his right armpit with the end over his left shoulder. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s messenger and his companions performed an ‘umra from al-Ji'rana (A place where there was water less than half way from Mecca to at-Ta’if) and ran three times round the House. They put their upper garments under their armpits and threw the ends over their left shoulders. Abu Dawud transmitted it.