The Crowded Situation Around the Black Stone

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘We would say that we must commence our Tawaf from the Black Stone and end by the Black Stone; however, today the number of people has increased.”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I was performing Tawaf and Sufyan al-Thawriy was nearby. He asked, “O ‘Abd Allah, what would the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, do when he arrived there?” I replied, “He (the Messenger of Allah), O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would touch it in each Tawaf, obligatory or optional.’” He (the Imam) has said, ‘He kept behind slightly from me and when I arrived near the Black Stone, I passed and walked and did not touch it. He (Sufyan) approached me and said, “O abu ‘Abd Allah, did you not tell me that the Messenger of Allah would touch the Black Stone in each Tawaf obligatory or optional?” I replied, “Yes, I did say so.” He then said, “You just passed and did not touch.” I said, “What people would see with the Messenger of Allah, they do not see with me. When he (the Messenger of Allah) would arrive near the Black Stone people would make room for him, and I do not like congestion.’””

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I arrived near the Black Stone and found people crowded. I did not find anyone of our people except one man. I asked him and he said that it is necessary to touch the Black Stone. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, if you find it free of the crowd; otherwise, salute it from a distant place.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Hajj but does not touch the Black Stone. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is of the Sunnah, but if you cannot do it, Allah is the foremost to accept one’s apology.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I cannot find an opportunity to reach the Black Stone. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you perform obligatory Tawaf, then it is not harmful.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of the Black Stone if one cannot touch it because of the crowd. He (the Imam) said, ‘Old people, the weak ones and those suffering from illness are excused. I do not like your ignoring to touch the Black Stone, unless you cannot find any opportunity to touch it.’”

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of the Black Stone if it is permissible for people to fight, so that they can touch it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If that becomes the case then just make a gesture toward it with your hand.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not necessary for women to say al-Talbiyah (here I am, O Lord, to obey Your command) aloud, touch the Black Stone, enter the House or Sa‘y between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah that is in a trotting (step).”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said this. ‘You should touch the corner (of the Black Stone); it is the right hand of Allah among His creatures with which He shakes hands with His creatures, like shaking hands by a slave - or a man (uncertainty is by the narrator) - and those who touch it bear witness to their standing up to their covenant.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about touching the Black Stone from the side of the door. He (the Imam) said, ‘Is it not the case that you want to touch the corner?’ I said, ‘Yes, that is what I want.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Whichever way your hand reaches is sufficient.’”