Kissing the Black Stone & Inconveniencing Others

Answered by Ustadha Sulma Badrudduja

Question: I went on Umrah and managed to kiss the black stone. There was so much pushing and shoving that I think I fainted even though I dont remember exactly. Did I commit any sin by passing out infront of the Ka’ba?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I hope you are doing well inshaAllah.

There is no sin associated with fainting or passing out. You do not have to worry about it as there is nothing blameworthy in it, and it was beyond your control.

Please note that the recommendation in kissing the black stone holds only if one can perform it without harming or inconveniencing others. If one must push others in order to get to the black stone, then one should not kiss it or touch it, because it is obligatory to refrain from harming others. Rather, one would point to it by raising the hands so that the palms are facings the stone while saying the proper formulas of remembrance (takbir, tahlil, tahmid, and salat `ala al-nabi). Then one kisses the hands or wipes them on the face. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

Sulma

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani