الحجر الأسود
The Hajar al-Aswad (حجر اسود) is a sacred stone set into the eastern corner of the کعبۃ اللہ in مکہ مکرمہ. Muslims begin and end each circuit of طواف at this point. نبی کریم Muhammad (PBUH) placed it in its current position during the کعبۃ اللہ's reconstruction.
The حجر اسود is believed by Muslims to date back to the time of Prophet Adam (AS) and was originally white, turning black from absorbing the sins of humanity. When the Quraysh rebuilt the کعبۃ اللہ, a dispute arose over who should place the stone. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) resolved it by having representatives of each clan hold a cloth carrying the stone, then placing it himself. The stone has been broken into fragments over the centuries and is now held together by a silver frame.
The حجر اسود marks the starting and ending point of طواف. Kissing or pointing to it is a sunnah of نبی کریم Muhammad (PBUH). It is considered a stone from Paradise and will testify on the Day of Judgment for those who touched it with sincerity.
The حجر اسود is located at the eastern corner of the کعبۃ اللہ, marked by a green light. During peak times, kissing or touching the stone is extremely difficult due to crowds. It is sunnah to kiss it if possible, touch it, or simply point toward it and say 'Allahu Akbar' from a distance. Each طواف circuit begins and ends at the حجر اسود line.