The Messenger of Allah said: "The Black Stone descended from the Paradise, and it was more white than milk, then it was blackened by the sins of the children of Adam."
Hadith Commentary from Jami' at-Tirmidhi
This narration from The Book on Hajj (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 877) describes the celestial origin and transformative nature of the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) in the Ka'bah.
Divine Origin and Significance
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informs us that the Black Stone descended from Paradise, indicating its sacred status beyond ordinary stones. Its original whiteness, purer than milk, symbolizes primordial purity and divine origin.
Scholars note this establishes the Stone's special merit and explains why Muslims seek to touch and kiss it during pilgrimage - not as worship of the stone itself, but as following prophetic tradition connected to a heavenly relic.
Spiritual Transformation Through Human Actions
The darkening of the stone by human sins demonstrates the tangible spiritual consequences of disobedience to Allah. Classical commentators explain this as both a physical manifestation and profound metaphor for how sin affects creation.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes this serves as a continuous visual reminder for pilgrims of their need for repentance and purification when approaching the House of Allah.
Juridical Implications
Despite its transformation, the stone retains its sacred status. Scholars emphasize that its ritual kissing or touching remains valid and recommended, as the essence of its blessing remains intact despite external changes.
This hadith reinforces the principle that physical changes do not necessarily nullify the spiritual status established by divine designation in Islamic law.