Black Stone
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The Black Stone is a rock set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba, the ancient building in the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is revered by most Muslims as an Islamic relic
The Black Stone embedded in the eastern corner of the Kaaba
A 1315 illustration from the Jami' al-tawarikh inspired by the sīrah story of Muhammad and the Meccan clan elders lifting the Black Stone into place.
Muhammad Ali kissing the Black Stone in 1972
Pilgrims jostle for a chance to kiss the Black Stone; if they are unable to kiss it, they can point towards it on each circuit with their right hand
Baetyl
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A baetyl, literally "house of god", is a sacred stone that was venerated and thought to house a god or deity. The most famous example is the Omphalos stored in the Temple of Apollo at the Greek town o
Black Stone
…according to tradition, dates back to the time of Adam and Eve. The stone was venerated at the Kaaba in pre-Islamic Arabia. It is sometimes considered a baetyl. According to tradition, it was set intact into the Kaaba's wall by Muhammad in 605, five years before his first revelation. Since then, it has been…
The Emesa temple to the sun god Elagabalus with baetyl at centre. Roman coin of 3rd century AD.
Depiction of Jacob's dream sleeping on a stone at Bethel, by José de Ribera
The baetyl of Aphrodite at Palaepaphos, described by Tacitus.