and, together with the other corner, the two are called the Yemeni Corners (1). Together with the corner adjoining the Hijr (the enclosure beside the Kaaba) on the side of the door, it is called one of the Iraqi Corners; the two corners adjoining the Hijr are called the Syrian Corners. The Yemeni Corner and the corner adjoining the Hijr at the rear of the Kaaba are called the Western Corners. However, it is established that he kissed the Black Stone; it is also established that he touched it with his hand, placing his hand upon it and then kissing his hand; and it is established that he touched it (2) with a hooked staff. These are three distinct practices. It is also reported that he pressed his lips against it for a long time, weeping (3).
Al-Tabarānī (4) related from him, with a good chain of transmission, that whenever he touched the Corner, he said: “In the name of Allah; Allah is Most Great.”
Whenever he came level with the Black Stone, he said: “Allah is Most Great” (5).
Abū Dāwūd al-Tayālisī (6) and Abū ‘Āsim al-Nabīl related from Ja‘far ibn ‘Abd Allāh ibn
(1) The printed edition reads: “al-yamāniyān (the two Yemeni corners) … al-‘irāqiyān (the two Iraqi corners) … al-shāmiyān (the two Syrian corners) … al-gharbiyān (the two western corners).” The readings adopted here follow the manuscripts.
(2) ك، ج: “istalama (he touched).”
(3) Narrated by Ibn Mājah (2945), al-Bazzār (12/221), Ibn Khuzaymah (2712), al-Hākim (1/454), and al-Bayhaqī in Shu‘ab al-Īmān (3765), from Ibn ‘Umar. Its chain includes Muhammad ibn ‘Awn, who was abandoned as a narrator. See al-Kāmil by Ibn ‘Adī (7/485–486), Tahdhīb al-Tahdhīb (9/385), and al-Silsilah al-Da‘īfah (1022).
(4) In al-Du‘ā’ (863), through ‘Abd al-Razzāq (8894), as a mawqūf report (attributed to Ibn ‘Umar, not the Prophet). Its wording is: Whenever Ibn ‘Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—touched the Corner, he said: “In the name of Allah; Allah is Most Great.” Its narrators are trustworthy, and its chain is authentic.
(5) Narrated by al-Bukhārī (1613), from Ibn ‘Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both.
(6) No. 28. Also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah (2714) and al-Bayhaqī (5/74), from Ibn ‘Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both. It was graded authentic by Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Hākim (1/455), and al-Albānī in al-Irwā’ (4/310).