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| Arabic | اِسْتِلَام |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | is-ti-LAAM |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root س-ل-م (s-l-m) in the form Istif'al, meaning to seek or attempt to touch. Istilam literally means 'to seek to touch' or 'to greet by touching,' specifically referring to the ritual touching of the الحجر الأسود. |
Istilam(اِسْتِلَام) Istilam is the السنة act of touching, kissing, or gesturing toward the الحجر الأسود (Hajar al-Aswad) at the beginning of each circuit during الطواف around the الكعبة.
اِسْتِلَام
Istilam is performed at the start of each of the seven circuits of الطواف. The ideal form is to approach the الحجر الأسود, touch it with both hands, and kiss it gently. If this is not possible due to crowds, the الحاج may touch it with one hand and kiss that hand. If even touching is impossible, the الحاج faces the الحجر الأسود, raises their right hand toward it, and says 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Greatest) — this is the most common practice during الحج season due to the immense crowds. النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed all these variations, validating each as legitimate. Istilam should not involve pushing, shoving, or harming other الحجاج. Scholars emphasize that the reverence is not for the stone itself but for obedience to the السنة — as Umar ibn al-Khattab said: 'I know you are a stone that neither benefits nor harms; had I not seen النبي kiss you, I would not have kissed you.'
From the Arabic root س-ل-م (s-l-m) in the form Istif'al, meaning to seek or attempt to touch. Istilam literally means 'to seek to touch' or 'to greet by touching,' specifically referring to the ritual touching of the الحجر الأسود.