Ruling on Kissing the Black Stone and Pushing Women Forward for It
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
I have seen some people during Tawaf push their women forward so they can kiss the Ḥajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). Is kissing the Black Stone more virtuous, or should women avoid the crowd of men?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
If you find it strange that some people push women forward to kiss the Ḥajar al-Aswad, I have witnessed an even more regrettable scene: some individuals leave their obligatory prayer before it ends in order to rush and kiss the Black Stone. In doing so, they abandon one of Islam’s greatest obligations — the farḍ prayer — for the sake of an act which is neither obligatory nor legislated outside of Tawaf.
This is ignorance, and it deserves deep regret. Kissing the Black Stone is Sunnah only during Tawaf; outside Tawaf there is no evidence for it. If anyone has knowledge proving that kissing or touching it without Tawaf is Sunnah, we ask them to share it, so we may benefit — and may Allah reward them with goodness.
✿ Kissing the Black Stone is a Sunnah act during Tawaf — but only if:
◈ It causes no harm to oneself or others.
If there is a risk of harming others or being harmed, the Prophet ﷺ taught alternative methods:
➊ First Alternative:
◈ Touch the Black Stone with the hand, then kiss the hand.
➋ Second Alternative:
◈ If even touching it would cause harm or pushing, simply point towards it with the right hand without kissing it.
All these methods are proven from the Sunnah.
✿ Pushing women into the crowd so they can kiss the Black Stone is highly inappropriate because:
◈ Some may be pregnant.
◈ Some may be elderly.
◈ Some may be unable to endure the pushing and shoving.
◈ Some may be carrying a child.
In all these cases, there is a high risk of injury or inappropriate contact with men. This behaviour is either ḥarām or at the very least makrūh.
✿ Do not engage in any act that causes harm to others.
✿ Islam offers flexibility in such matters — so do not burden yourself or others.
✿ If you cause hardship to others, Allah may cause hardship for you.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
I have seen some people during Tawaf push their women forward so they can kiss the Ḥajar al-Aswad (Black Stone). Is kissing the Black Stone more virtuous, or should women avoid the crowd of men?
Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
If you find it strange that some people push women forward to kiss the Ḥajar al-Aswad, I have witnessed an even more regrettable scene: some individuals leave their obligatory prayer before it ends in order to rush and kiss the Black Stone. In doing so, they abandon one of Islam’s greatest obligations — the farḍ prayer — for the sake of an act which is neither obligatory nor legislated outside of Tawaf.
This is ignorance, and it deserves deep regret. Kissing the Black Stone is Sunnah only during Tawaf; outside Tawaf there is no evidence for it. If anyone has knowledge proving that kissing or touching it without Tawaf is Sunnah, we ask them to share it, so we may benefit — and may Allah reward them with goodness.
Kissing the Black Stone During Tawaf
✿ Kissing the Black Stone is a Sunnah act during Tawaf — but only if:
◈ It causes no harm to oneself or others.
Alternatives When Harm Is Feared
If there is a risk of harming others or being harmed, the Prophet ﷺ taught alternative methods:
➊ First Alternative:
◈ Touch the Black Stone with the hand, then kiss the hand.
➋ Second Alternative:
◈ If even touching it would cause harm or pushing, simply point towards it with the right hand without kissing it.
All these methods are proven from the Sunnah.
Pushing Women to Kiss the Black Stone
✿ Pushing women into the crowd so they can kiss the Black Stone is highly inappropriate because:
◈ Some may be pregnant.
◈ Some may be elderly.
◈ Some may be unable to endure the pushing and shoving.
◈ Some may be carrying a child.
In all these cases, there is a high risk of injury or inappropriate contact with men. This behaviour is either ḥarām or at the very least makrūh.
Islamic Guidance
✿ Do not engage in any act that causes harm to others.
✿ Islam offers flexibility in such matters — so do not burden yourself or others.
✿ If you cause hardship to others, Allah may cause hardship for you.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
