The Hanbalis stated that one touches the Black Stone, kisses it, and prostrates on it. What does "prostrates on it" mean?

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, he says: The Hanbalis (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned in *al-Rawd* that one touches the Black Stone, kisses it, and prostrates on it.

The Shaykh:
His kissing it is prostration, because he placed his forehead on it and kissed it. Yes.

The presenter:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success.

The Shaykh:
I think his intention is not to draw near to the stone, but to draw near to Allah. He touches and kisses it as a means of drawing near to Allah, because it is one of the rites of Allah, one of the rites of Allah.
He believes that he is worshipping Allah through this, and he does not believe in seeking blessing from the stone or asking the stone for needs. For this reason, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said when he kissed the stone: "By Allah, I know that you are a stone that neither benefits nor harms." The issue is following and emulation. We kiss it in emulation of the Messenger and following him, and as worship of Allah the Exalted and obedience to Allah. Allah commanded us to do this, so we do what Allah commanded. Yes.