Touching the Black Stone, which has perfume on it, and applying perfume to it

The questioner:
If there is perfume on the Black Stone, as is known now, does one touch it and kiss it, or is it sufficient to point to it?

The Shaykh:
One does not touch it or kiss it, even if there is perfume on it, because the perfume was not the intention; rather, the intention was the perfume. If the intention was the perfume, then it is not permissible. But if the intention was to perform the recommended practice (sunnah) and some perfume happened to be on it, then it does no harm, because it was not intended. Yes. Yes.

The questioner:
And is it permissible to apply perfume to it, and is there a basis for this?

The Shaykh:
Yes, if no perfume were applied to it, it would be possible due to the large number of people. Applying perfume to it is among the good things, to remove the odors that stick to it from the smells and sweat of people. This is part of being kind to the Muslims and part of honoring this sacred site. Yes. Perfuming the mosques and places of worship is a recommended practice (sunnah). Yes.