What is the ruling on a woman touching the Black Stone with her hand? As you know, strong perfume is placed on it, so its scent clings to her hand.
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The questioner : What is the ruling on a woman touching the Black Stone with her hand? As you know, strong perfume is placed on it, so its scent clings to the hand of the one touching it.
The Shaykh : Is that the actual situation?
The questioner : Yes, even the Yemeni Corner.
The Shaykh : Even the Yemeni Corner?
The questioner : Even the Yemeni Corner, yes.
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah, we were not aware of that.
The questioner : They perfume it.
The Shaykh : I say that as for the Black Stone, I have never touched it, but I have touched the Yemeni Corner many times, yet I did not notice any scent there.
The questioner : I mean, it is not always the case. A person comes with perfume and puts it on this place, and then...
The Shaykh : I mean, it is not a job, i.e., it is not the duty of those assigned to the mosque.
The questioner : No, those assigned to the mosque, these custodians, have a specific dress. Sometimes they come and put this perfume on it.
The Shaykh : I say that if a woman is likely to think that if she touches the Black Stone, the perfume will cling to her hand, then she should not touch it. This is because removing harm takes precedence over seeking benefit. Touching the Black Stone is barely a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah), whereas perfume is forbidden (haram) for women. So, removing harm takes precedence over seeking benefit, as we mentioned.
The questioner : Shaykh, excuse me.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not order perfuming the Stone or perfuming the Ka'bah. Hadiths have been reported.
The Shaykh : Perfuming the Ka'bah, yes. But you are limiting your question to the Stone.
The questioner : And the Stone is the same.
The Shaykh : I do not know. That is your responsibility.
The questioner : What if it were reported, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : I mean, if this were reported, would it not indicate, from the perspective that hardship brings ease, and these matters...
The Shaykh : I do not pay attention to researching hypotheticals, because the answer would also be hypothetical. I often say, "My brother, this is a hypothetical issue," and the questioner insists, saying, "Suppose the issue is such and such." Then I say, "Suppose it is permissible. What is the benefit?" Yes.
The Shaykh : Is that the actual situation?
The questioner : Yes, even the Yemeni Corner.
The Shaykh : Even the Yemeni Corner?
The questioner : Even the Yemeni Corner, yes.
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah, we were not aware of that.
The questioner : They perfume it.
The Shaykh : I say that as for the Black Stone, I have never touched it, but I have touched the Yemeni Corner many times, yet I did not notice any scent there.
The questioner : I mean, it is not always the case. A person comes with perfume and puts it on this place, and then...
The Shaykh : I mean, it is not a job, i.e., it is not the duty of those assigned to the mosque.
The questioner : No, those assigned to the mosque, these custodians, have a specific dress. Sometimes they come and put this perfume on it.
The Shaykh : I say that if a woman is likely to think that if she touches the Black Stone, the perfume will cling to her hand, then she should not touch it. This is because removing harm takes precedence over seeking benefit. Touching the Black Stone is barely a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah), whereas perfume is forbidden (haram) for women. So, removing harm takes precedence over seeking benefit, as we mentioned.
The questioner : Shaykh, excuse me.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not order perfuming the Stone or perfuming the Ka'bah. Hadiths have been reported.
The Shaykh : Perfuming the Ka'bah, yes. But you are limiting your question to the Stone.
The questioner : And the Stone is the same.
The Shaykh : I do not know. That is your responsibility.
The questioner : What if it were reported, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : I mean, if this were reported, would it not indicate, from the perspective that hardship brings ease, and these matters...
The Shaykh : I do not pay attention to researching hypotheticals, because the answer would also be hypothetical. I often say, "My brother, this is a hypothetical issue," and the questioner insists, saying, "Suppose the issue is such and such." Then I say, "Suppose it is permissible. What is the benefit?" Yes.