Leaf from the Prophet's Life: The Black Stone

Some years before Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) began his mission of preaching Islam there occurred an event of great concern in the lives of the Meccans. A sudden flood had shaken the foundations of the Kabah and cracked its walls. Besides, the Kabah had no ceiling and the treasures it housed were exposed to robbery. The Meccans had seriously thought of rebuilding it; but a rebuilt Kabah with doors and a ceiling, they imagined, would bring upon them a curse.

To each of the four clans of Makkah fell the task of demolishing and rebuilding one of the four walls of the Kabah But no one volunteered to begin the work of demolition for fear of punishment by its gods. At length Al-Walid after praying to the gods pulled down part of the Yamani wall assigned to his tribe. With baited breath the rest waited to see what would befall him. When the morning came and nothing had happened to him they took courage and began to work.

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), like the others, helped in the work till the Kabah was levelled except for the green stones which were found below the walls. The Meccans could not shake them loose and thus decided to use them as foundations on which to build the new walls. From the neighbouring mountains the Meccans carried stones of blue granite to the site of the Kabah and the walls rose from the ground quickly.

The Sacred Black Stone (Al-hajar Al-aswad) had to be placed in the East wall of the Kabah. Dispute arose as to who would have the honour of placing the stone. So serious was the matter that members of the clan of Banu Abad al Dar brought a bowl full of blood and dipping their hands in it swore never to relinquish their honour.

Abu Umayyah, powerful and respected in Meccan society, used his influence and said to the Meccans, Let the first person to pass through the gate of the Haram (precincts of the Holy Kabah) be our arbitrator.

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) asked for a mantle to be brought. He placed on it the sacred Black Stone and asked the representatives of the four clans to hold the four sides of the mantle. On reaching the east wall of the Kabah he lifted the stone from the mantle and placed it in the wall to the satisfaction of all the disputing clans. To reconcile a fiery people in those turbulent times required great wisdom and tact which was so well displayed by the Prophet (Pbuh) in this incident in his life which took place before his call to Prophethood. It is also clear that he enjoyed a reputation for honesty among his people, who, as you have just read, so willingly subjected their claims to his sense of Judgement. We should take a cue from such instances of the Prophet’s (Pbuh) life which is full of acts of great moral courage.

Indeed the Holy Quran says: In God’s messenger you have a fine model for someone who looks forward to (meeting) God and to the Last Day and mentions God frequently. (33:21)