Black Stone and Atonement of Sins?
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Ubaid bin Umair that a man said: “O Abu abdur-Rahman, why do I only see you touching these two corners?” He said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘Touching them erases sins.’ And I head him say: ‘whoever circumambulates seven times, it is like freeing a slave.'”
Does this mean that Allah made it so that touching it erases sins? Or does the stone itself erase sins?
Would this contradict this hadith?
Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 Narrated Abis bin Rabia:
`Umar came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said “No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) kissing you I would not have kissed you.”
Please help clear up my question. JazakAllah
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Dear child,
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala increase your quest for knowledge.
1: Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala erases sins. None has the authority to grant reward or erase sins but Allah.
2: The two ahadith do not contradict one another.
The first hadith informs us of the merits that Allah grants on touching and kissing the black stone, touching the Yemeni corner and of Tawaf (circumbulating ka’aba) while the second one describes the pure and clear beliefs of the companions of the noble prophet ﷺ that none is worthy of worship besides Allah jalla jalaluhu but when he makes something a reason for reward although man may not see any wisdom in it. Muslim are fast to obey their lord.
Dear child seeing your quest for knowledge may we advise you to study under pious trusted knowledgeable teachers. It will increase your knowledge and clear out any doubts you may have; due to many groups active to misguide and put doubts in the Muslim’s minds.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best