ركن الحجر الأسود
The Black Stone Corner (Rukn al-Hajar al-Aswad) is the eastern corner of the Kaaba where the sacred Black Stone is embedded. It marks the starting and ending point of each tawaf circuit. A green light on the wall of Masjid al-Haram aligns with this corner to help pilgrims identify the starting line from upper floors.
The eastern corner of the Kaaba has housed the Black Stone since Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) built the sacred house. This corner, along with the Yemeni Corner, sits on the original Ibrahimic foundation. The green light indicator visible on the mosque wall was added during Saudi-era expansions to help pilgrims on upper tawaf floors identify the exact alignment. A silver frame now holds the fragments of the Black Stone securely in the corner.
This corner is the most sacred point of the tawaf circuit. It rests on the original foundation built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and houses the Black Stone, a stone from Paradise. Every tawaf throughout Islamic history has begun and ended at this point, connecting all pilgrims across time in the same act of worship.
The Black Stone Corner is the busiest section of the mataf area as all pilgrims begin and end each tawaf circuit here. A green light on the mosque wall marks the alignment. When you reach this corner, face the Black Stone and say 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' If you can kiss or touch the stone, do so. If not, simply raise your right hand toward it and say the takbir. Avoid pushing or shoving. The upper floors provide a calmer tawaf experience with the green light as your guide.