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Hajar al-Aswad
Hajar al-Aswad is a black stone engraved in the southeast wall of the Kabaa. There are several stories that give a different picture of the background of the stone and its placement in the wall of the Kaaba. Regardless of the different stories, the importance and respect of the stone remains the same and it enjoys the same degree of sanctity in all stories. Of the various stories, the most significant and the most authentic is the story of Hajar al-Aswad which is a stone from Jannah (Paradise) placed in Kaaba by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and his son Prophet Ismail. According to the story, when Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and his son completed the construction of Kaaba, they were short of one stone in building the walls. Upon this, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) ordered Ismail (A.S.) to go and look for a stone that could fit into the hole to complete the construction of the holy place. Ismail (A.S.) went looking for the stone, but after a while when he could not find a suitable stone, he came back to his father and saw that a stone was already placed in the empty space. He asked his father about the stone, Ibrahim (A.S.) replied that it was handed to him by the angel Garbriel (A.S.). So this story proves that Hajar al-Aswad is a heavenly stone.
Ibn Abbas (R.A.) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said:
“The black stone came down from paradise, and it was whiter than milk, then it was blackened by the sins of the children of Adam.” (Tirmidhi: 877)
This Hadith proves that Hajar al-Aswad is a stone that came from Jannah and was originally in a pure white state, which then started to turn black with the progression in the increasing sins of mankind.
The offer
Allah Almighty told us about Ibrahim (A.S.)’s torment with his beloved son:
“And he said after his rescue from the fire: ‘Verily! I go to my Lord. He will guide me! Sir! Grant me (offspring) of the righteous.” Then We gave him the glad tidings of a brave boy. And when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you to Allah), so see what you think!” “O my father! Do as you are commanded Insha Allah (Allah willing), then you will find me of the patient.” When they had both submitted to the will of Allah and he laid him on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughter), We called out to him: “O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!” Verily! Thus do We reward those who do good deeds entirely for the sake of Allah. Verily, that was an open trial and We delivered him with a great sacrifice (a ram) and We left him (a good memory) among the generations of later times. “Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim!” Thus do We indeed reward the Muhsineen. Verily, he was one of Our believing servants. (Surat Al Saffat 37: Ayat 99 to 111)
One day Ibrahim (A.S.) was sitting outside his tent thinking about his son Ismail (A.S.) and Allah’s sacrifice. His heart was filled with awe and love for Allah for His countless blessings. A big tear fell from his eyes and reminded him of Ismail (A.S.) yet he was fully willing to follow Allah’s command and do as He commanded him. He took his son Ismail (A.S.) to Mount Arafat along with a knife and rope. When he got there, he told his son about his dream and what Allah SWT commanded him to do. As an obedient son, Prophet Ismail (A.S.) immediately obeyed and asked that his hands and legs be tied so that he could not resist and that his father blindfold himself so that he would not have to see how he suffered.
Ibrahim (A.S.) did as Ismail (A.S.) said. Blindfolded and with the knife in his hands, he did as Allah had asked him. When he took off the blindfold, he was surprised to see the body of a dead ram before him. Ismail(A.S.) stood next to him completely unharmed. At first he thought that something had gone horribly wrong and that he had disobeyed his Creator’s command. But then he heard a voice telling him that Allah takes care of his followers and that he should not worry.
The tidings of Isaac
Meanwhile three angels descended to the earth: Gabriel, Israfil and Michael. They came in human form and saluted Ibrahim (A.S.). Ibrahim (A.S.) stood up and welcomed them. He took them into his tent, thinking they were strangers and guests. He put them in their places and made them feel comfortable, then excused them to go to his people. His wife Sarah stood up as he entered. She had grown old and had white hair.
Ibrahim (A.S.) said to her, “We have three strangers in the house.”
“Who are they?” she asked.
“I don’t know any of them,” he replied.
“What kind of food do we have?” He asked.
“Half a sheep.” she replied.
“Half a sheep! Slaughter a fat calf for them; they are strangers and guests,” commanded Ibrahim (A.S.) as he left.
The servants roasted and served a calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat and he began to eat to encourage them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to make sure they were eating, he noticed that none of them had touched the food.
He said to them, “Aren’t you going to eat?”
He continued to eat, but when he took another look at them, he noticed that they were still not eating. Their hands did not reach for the food. He began to fear them. Ibrahim’s (A.S.) fears increased. However, the angels read his inner thoughts and one of them said:
“Do not fear.” Abraham raised his head and replied, “Verily, I am in fear. I have asked you to eat, but you have not stretched out your hands to eat. wilt thou harm me?”
One of the angels smiled and said, “We don’t eat. We are the angels of Allah.”
One of them then turned to his wife and brought the glad tidings of Isaac (Ishaaq).
Allah has revealed in the Qur’an:
“Verily! Our messengers came to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, “Salaam (greetings or peace)!” he replied, “Salaam,” and hastened to give them a roast calf. But when he saw that their hands did not reach for them, he distrusted them and feared them. They said, “Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lot.” And his wife stood there and laughed (because the messengers did not eat their food or because she rejoiced at the ruin of the people of Lot). But We gave her glad tidings about Ishaaq and after him about Yaqub (Jacob). They said (in amazement): “Woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman and here my husband is an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!” They said: “Do you marvel at the commandment of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O family (of Abraham). Verily, He (Allah) is Praiseworthy, Almighty.” (Sura Hud 11:69-73)
Prophethood of Ismail (A.S.)
Then Allah gave Ismail (A.S.) the duty of Prophethood. He gave him the duty to lead the people of Amalika in Yemen. According to some sources, Ismail (A.S.) lived with this people for fifty years and conveyed to them the divine message and commands. Some of them believed in him, but others clung to unbelief and polytheism.
Allah has stated in the Qur’an about the prophethood of Ismail (A.S.):
“And mentioned in the Book (the Qur’an) Ishmael. Verily! He was faithful to what he promised and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin upon his family and his people As-Salat (prayer) and Zakat, and his Lord was pleased with him.” (Surah Maryam 19:54 and 55)
As can be seen from the statement of the Qur’an, Ismail (A.S.) acted in accordance with this principle of guidance. At first he himself practiced religion; then he made his relatives practice it; then he conveyed the message of religion to his people.
Death of Ismail (A.S.)
Ismail (A.S.) was one hundred and thirty, or one hundred and thirty-seven years old when he died. He would have had twelve sons. According to some sources, Ismail(A.S.) lived in Makkah until his death. Ismail (A.S.) is, according to various sources, buried next to his mother Hajar near Kaaba in Masjid Al-Haram. Allah knows best.