Black Stone

Five times a day Muslims prostrate towards the Ka'aba which houses the famous black stone (Ruknu l-Aswad). The black stone is a baetyl originating from pre-Islamic Arabian polytheism. It is an important part of the hajj which all Muslims must participate in at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage is performed primarily because it is mandatory and because Muslims believe their sins will be forgiven.^[1]

Muslims believe that the stone was "put there by Prophet Ibrahim and Isma’eel (peace be upon them both) by the order of Almighty Allah, and the purpose of it was to indicate the beginning of tawaf (circumabulation of the Ka`bah)."^[2] However, there is no scientific, historical, or archaeological evidence that places Abraham and Ishmael at the Ka'aba. And there is no evidence that circumambulation of any building or stone was initiated by Abraham and Ishmael.

During its history, the black stone has been struck and smashed by a stone fired from a catapult,^[3] it has been smeared with excrement,^[4] stolen and ransomed by the Qarmatians,^[5] and smashed into several fragments.^[6][7]

Muslims from all around the world spend a considerable amount of money and risk a crushing mob^[8] to visit the Ka'aba and kiss its eastern cornerstone--the black rock reputed to be a meteorite. If they cannot kiss it, then they point to it as they circumambulate the Ka'aba. Circumambulation around the Ka'aba was originally a pagan ritual (albeit they did it naked), as was the running through the valley between Safa and Marwa.^[9] The Ka'aba was originally a pagan shrine, housing 360 stones and statues. And pagans performed a hajj even before the advent of Islam.^[10]

Pre-Islamic Arabia

The black stone was important to the Arabian polytheists prior to Muhammad's prophethood.

Other important baetyls in Arabia

The black stone was not the only important stone in Arabia.

Ancient writers Herodian and Cassius Dio mention a temple in Syrian city of Emesa (nowadays known as Hims or Homs). Why was this temple special and particularly interesting for us? A local Semitic god named Eloh (meaning Lord) was worshipped there. He was better known to Romans and Greeks as Heliogabalus, a corruption of Eloh Gabal (Lord of Mountain, one of Eloh’s titles). Eloh was associated with sun and thus identified with Roman god Sol and Greek Helios.

In the temple one of the holiest relics of antiquity, the Black Stone, was kept. It was believed to come from outside earth (meteorite?) and to be a manifestation of Eloh himself. Faithful from the entire Roman orient were flocking for a pilgrimage there. They were bringing valuable gifts and offerings. The followers of Eloh had to obey bizarre rules. For example they had to be circumcised and were not allowed to eat pork.

This cult would probably be forgotten among thousands of others if not a dramatic twist of its fortune. In 218 a young priest of that temple and a Roman citizen Varius Avitus Bassus was prompted by his power-hungry family and usurped the throne of Rome by claiming to be an illegitimate son of murdered emperor Caracalla (ruled 211-217). He ruled for just four years and is remembered mostly by his nickname – name of his god – Elagabalus.

Elagabalus was one of the most perverted rulers in universal history. He was reported to have prostituted himself in the imperial palace. He had numerous wives and husbands at the same time. He was known to be a masochist and allowed everyone to beat him. The young man was literally sex-obsessed, but the contemporaries were telling that it is the cult of is Eloh that depraved him.

The young emperor brought his famous Black Stone to Rome. He wanted to make the worship of Eloh either supreme or the only religion of the Roman Empire. This caused uproar among Romans. Every year in summer a bizarre procession was talking place. The Black Stone was placed on a chariot with reins stick to it (suggesting that the god himself was coaching). The emperor was walking afoot near the chariot. Senators, notable citizens, parade of soldiers, musicians and exotic animals followed.

After four years of insane rule, Elogabalus was murdered by soldiers. His body was thrown to river Tiber. ^[11]

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  Golden coin of Elagabalus

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  Another Elagabalus-era coin depicting the Black Stone.

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  Coin struck by Elogabalus. On the reverse the Black Stone on a chariot.

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  Another black stone: Aniconic Black stone once venerated at the Temple of Aphrodite, near Paphos, Cyprus

• Paganism - A hub page that leads to other articles related to Islam and Paganism

• The Black Stone - the Omphalos of the Goddess