The Kaaba, the sacred House of Allah located in Makkah, stands as the spiritual center of Islam. It is a structure rich in symbolism, history, and divine connection. Among its four corners, two hold particular significance in Islamic tradition: the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner) and the Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone). These sacred landmarks are not only revered for their physical placement but also for the immense spiritual weight they carry.
Understanding the Four Corners of the Kaaba
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure built by Prophet Ibrahim (ﷺ) and his son Ismail (ﷺ) as a House of Monotheism. Each of its four corners is named according to the direction they face:
- Rukn al-Aswad (Black Stone Corner) – southeast corner
- Rukn al-Iraqi (Iraqi Corner) – northeast corner
- Rukn al-Shami (Levantine/Syrian Corner) – northwest corner
- Rukn al-Yamani (Yemeni Corner) – southwest corner
While each corner has historical and directional relevance, it is the Rukn al-Yamani and the Black Stone that are physically interacted with during Tawaf.
Rukn al-Yamani: The Blessed Corner
Rukn al-Yamani is the corner of the Kaaba that faces Yemen, hence the name. It is the last corner pilgrims pass before reaching the Black Stone during each circuit of Tawaf.
Virtues of Rukn al-Yamani
Erasure of Sins:
“Ibn Umar was clinging on the two corners (in a manner that I had not seen any of the Companions of the Prophet doing) so I said: ‘O Abu Abdur-Rahman! You are clinging on the two corners in a manner that I have not seen any of the Companions of the Prophet clining.’ So he said: ‘I do it because I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “Touching them atones for sins.”
This hadith underlines the extraordinary spiritual benefit of physical interaction with these two sacred corners. Simply touching them with sincerity becomes a means by which Allah wipes away one’s sins highlighting the sacredness of the Kaaba and the mercy of Allah extended through ritual worship.
From the Gems of Paradise:
“Indeed the Corner and the Maqam are two corundums from the corundum of Paradise. Allah removed their lights, and if their lights had not been removed then they would illuminate what is between east and the west.”
This narration affirms the divine origin of these two sites. They are not ordinary stones but treasures from Paradise itself. The fact that their brilliance was veiled is a profound reminder of their spiritual magnitude, signs of the unseen brought into our world, allowing pilgrims to connect with the eternal through tangible acts.
Sunnah of Touching Rukn al-Yamani
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would touch the Rukn al-Yamani with his hand in each round of Tawaf but did not kiss it.
Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) reported:
I have not abandoned touching of Yamani corners (and kissing of) the Stone since I saw Allah’s messenger (ﷺ) touching them both In hardship and ease.
If one cannot touch the Rukn al-Yamani due to the crowd, it is not prescribed to point toward it or say “Allahu Akbar,” unlike the Black Stone.
Duas to Read Between the Yemeni Corner and Hajr-e-Aswad
Whenever Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed between the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani) and the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), he would recite the following powerful and comprehensive supplication:
ثَمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ الرُُكْنَيْنِ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاء: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
Transliteration: Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa fil-aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa ‘adhaaban-naar.
Translation: “Yet there are others who say, “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
This du’a beautifully encapsulates the believer’s hope for a balanced life seeking both worldly benefit and eternal salvation. Reciting it while passing between these two sacred corners is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and a spiritually profound moment during Tawaf.
It symbolizes the continuous journey of a Muslim, seeking goodness from Allah in all aspects of life and the Hereafter, while acknowledging his need for divine protection from the Fire.
The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)
The Hajar al-Aswad is set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. It is a black, oval-shaped stone surrounded by a silver frame. The Black Stone marks the starting and ending point of Tawaf.
Divine Origin and Description
The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.”
The Black Stone is from Jannah and was once radiant with purity. Its blackened color is a reflection of the sins it has absorbed from the believers who touch or kiss it in repentance.
Prophetic Interaction
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would touch and kiss the Black Stone in Tawaf.
Umar ibn al-Khattab said: “No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) kissing you I would not have kissed you.”
This statement by Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) reflects the essence of Islamic faith: submission to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ even when logic or reason may not fully grasp the significance. The Black Stone holds its value not because of inherent power, but due to its honored status in the rituals prescribed by the Messenger of Allah.
Testimony on the Day of Judgement
“By Allah! Allah will raise it on the Day of Resurrection with two eyes by which it sees and a tongue that it speaks with, testifying to whoever touched it in truth.”
This powerful hadith illustrates that the Black Stone is not merely symbolic but will serve as an actual witness on the Day of Judgement. It will testify on behalf of those who touched it sincerely, emphasizing the deep spiritual impact of seemingly simple acts performed with faith and humility.
The Ritual of Istilam
Istilam refers to the act of touching or gesturing toward the Black Stone. During Tawaf, pilgrims should:
- Touch and kiss the Black Stone if possible.
- If unable to reach it, raise the right hand toward it and say “Allahu Akbar.”
- Continue the round from that point.
Only the Black Stone is kissed or pointed to. The Rukn al-Yamani is touched if possible but never kissed or gestured to if unreachable.
Historical Incidents Involving Rukn al-Yamani and Hajar al-Aswad
Rukn al-Yamani
The stone placed in this corner is believed to date back to the reconstruction of the Kaaba by ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (RA). During the Fatimid and Ottoman eras, damage to the stone was repaired with molten lead and nails, traces of which are still visible.
Black Stone
The Black Stone has suffered several attacks in history, including being stolen in 930 CE by the Qarmatians. It was returned years later, fragmented, and is currently held together with a silver frame.
Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons
Both the Rukn al-Yamani and the Black Stone serve as tangible touchpoints of divine history and mercy. Their significance is not limited to their material form but what they represent:
- Tawheed (Monotheism): Rooted in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), these corners are part of a structure built solely to worship Allah.
- Repentance: Touching them with sincerity is a means of erasing sins.
- Unity: Pilgrims from every nation converge around these corners in the same act of worship, reflecting the unity of the Ummah.
Conclusion: Honoring the Sacred Corners
To walk between Rukn al-Yamani and Hajar al-Aswad is to walk in the footsteps of prophets. These sacred corners are not mere landmarks but living symbols of submission, repentance, and divine connection.
Through their history, virtues, and prophetic practice, the Rukn al-Yamani and Black Stone remind believers of their journey toward Allah. In the act of Tawaf revolving around the House of Allah, passing these blessed points one finds a deeper orbit: the soul circling its Creator, seeking closeness, forgiveness, and eternal success.