those who have no knowledge do; rather, this is one of the reprehensible innovations. Nor did he stand with his whole body level with the Black Stone, then turn away and place it at his side. Instead, he faced it and touched it, then moved to his right, keeping the House on his left. He did not offer any supplication at the door, beneath the waterspout, or at the rear of the Kaaba and its corners. Nor did he prescribe any particular formula of remembrance for circumambulation, either through his practice or his teaching. Rather, it is recorded that he said between the two corners:

“Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” [al-Baqarah: 201] (1).

During this circumambulation, he completed the first three circuits at a brisk pace, walking quickly with short steps. He draped his upper garment over one shoulder (2), leaving his other shoulder and shoulder blade exposed. Whenever he came level with the Black Stone, he gestured towards it, touched it with his hooked staff, and kissed the staff. A hooked staff is a stick with a curved end. It is established that he touched the Yemeni Corner, but it is not established that he kissed it or kissed his hand when touching it. Al-Dāraqutnī (3) reported from Ibn ‘Abbās: “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to kiss the Yemeni Corner and place his cheek against it.” Its chain includes ‘Abd Allāh ibn Muslim ibn Hurmuz, of whom Imam Ahmad said, “He is acceptable in hadith” (4), while others deemed him weak.

However, the Yemeni Corner here means the Black Stone, for it is also called the Yemeni Corner,