Touching Rukn Yamani and Hajar Aswad During Tawaf

Written by: Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Al-Hammad (حفظ اللہ)

Arabic Text:

لَمْ أَرَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَسْتَلِمُ مِنْ البيت، إِلَّا الرُّكْنَيْنِ الْيَمَانِيَيْنِ

“I did not see the Prophet (ﷺ) touch anything of the Ka'bah except the two Yemeni corners.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Hajj: 1609]

Key Points:​

1. Four Corners of the Ka'bah:
   
   • The Ka'bah has four corners:➊ Hajar Aswad (Black Stone)
     ➋ Rukn Yamani (Yemeni Corner)
     ➌ Rukn Shami (Syrian Corner)
     ➍ Rukn Iraqi (Iraqi Corner)
2. Ways to Greet Hajar Aswad:
   
   • The Hajar Aswadcan be greeted in any of the following three ways:
     • Kissing it directly.
     • Touching it with a stick and then kissing the stick.
     • Touching it with one’s hand and then kissing the hand.
3. Touching Rukn Yamani:
   
   • The Rukn Yamani should only be touched with the hand. Kissing it is not established in any authentic Hadith.
4. Virtue of Touching Hajar Aswad and Rukn Yamani:
   
   • According to a narration, touching the Hajar Aswad and Rukn Yamani causes sins to fall away.
     [Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 2, Pg. 3]
5. Avoid Touching Rukn Shami and Rukn Iraqi:
   
   • During Tawaf (circumambulation), the Rukn Shami and Rukn Iraqi should not be touched, as this contradicts the practice of the Prophet (ﷺ).
   • However, it is narrated from Muawiyah (رضي الله عنه) and Abdullah ibn Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) that they used to touch all corners of the Ka'bah, considering nothing of the Ka'bah to be excluded.
   • Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) held that only Hajar Aswad and Rukn Yamani should be touched.
     [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Hajj: 1608]
6. Belief While Kissing Hajar Aswad:
   
   • Kissing the Hajar Aswad should be done with the understanding that it has no power to benefit or harm. This belief is supported by the statement of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه):
     [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Hajj: 1610]

Conclusion:​

During Tawaf, only the Hajar Aswad and Rukn Yamani should be touched. If the opportunity arises, the Hajar Aswad may be kissed, while maintaining the correct belief that it has no intrinsic power. Other corners of the Ka'bah should not be touched, as this contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). This practice emphasizes following the prophetic method while performing acts of worship.