What is the authenticity of the hadith: “The Black Stone is the covenant of Allah on earth, so whoever kisses it is as if he has kissed the covenant of Allah…”?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: In the hadith “so whoever kisses it is as if he has kissed the covenant of Allah, and whoever touches it is as if he has touched the covenant of Allah,” is this hadith authentic? And what is its meaning?

Answer:
The hadith is authentic, yes. And its meaning is clear. Is there anything of Allah on earth? The intended meaning is that it is among the symbols of Allah, among the symbols of Allah that He established for people on earth. He said, “As if he is shaking hands,” not that he actually shook hands with Allah. He said, “As if,” which is a simile. Also, Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) is not on earth; rather, He is in the sky. The hadith clarifies some of its parts with others. Yes.