The ruling on the hadith: The Black Stone is the hand of Allah on earth

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: It is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the Black Stone is the hand of Allah on earth, and whoever touches it has touched the hand of Allah.

Answer:
He did not say that; he said: It is the right hand of Allah, the right hand of Allah on earth. It is not the hand of Allah; it is the right hand of Allah on earth, meaning that it is one of the symbols of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Otherwise, nothing of Allah’s essence is on earth from His own self (Glorified and Exalted is He). For this reason, he said: So whoever touches it, it is as if he had shaken hands with Allah. This means it is a metaphor; he did not say he had shaken hands with Allah. He said: It is as if he had shaken hands with Allah. This is a simile. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has nothing of His essence on earth.