Christian Is Betrayed By The Bible | Hashim | Mansour Tawafi | Speakers Corner

Summary

This conversation delves into the religious significance of the Black Stone in Islam, addressing whether touching or kissing it constitutes idol worship. The dialogue explores the symbolic nature of the stone, emphasizing that it is not worshipped but revered due to its association with the Prophet Muhammad. A parallel is drawn with a passage from Isaiah 6:6-7, where the prophet’s sins are atoned by the touch of a coal, raising questions about the nature of religious rituals. The exchange reflects differing views on sacred objects, worship, and atonement, with a focus on clarifying the intent behind these practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Black Stone is an important religious symbol in Islam, but its significance does not involve idol worship. It is not worshipped, and it has no inherent power to cause harm or benefit.
• 😀 Touching the Black Stone during the pilgrimage (Hajj) is a symbolic act that connects a person to the spiritual act of worship, but kissing it is not obligatory. Muslims can choose not to kiss it.
• 😀 The Prophet Muhammad’s companion, Umar ibn al-Khattab, clarified that the Black Stone itself does not have power, and it is only kissed because of the Prophet’s actions, not because of any power the stone holds.
• 😀 There is a distinction between touching and kissing in religious rituals. The act of kissing a religious object or symbol, like the Black Stone, is a voluntary gesture and not a forced one.
• 😀 The passage from Isaiah 6:6-7, where a seraphim touches the prophet's mouth with a live coal to purify him, is referenced to discuss the significance of touching objects in religious practices, such as the Black Stone.
• 😀 In Isaiah 6, the act of touching the mouth with a coal to purify is considered a form of purification and is similar to the idea of the Black Stone's role in connecting worshippers to God.
• 😀 The Black Stone's function is to serve as a physical point of connection during worship, not to serve as an idol or object of power in itself.
• 😀 Worship and acts like kissing or touching religious symbols are intended to bring people closer to God, not to elevate the object itself.
• 😀 The conversation reflects a struggle to understand whether religious rituals involving physical objects could be considered idol worship, with references to both Islamic and Christian texts.
• 😀 Despite disagreements, the participants emphasize the importance of understanding the differences between touching objects in worship and the concept of idol worship, which is strictly avoided in Islam.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Black Stone in Islam?

The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) in Islam is not an object of worship but holds symbolic significance. It is kissed or touched during the Hajj pilgrimage as an act of reverence because it is believed to have been touched by the Prophet Muhammad, but it is not worshiped.

Why do some people have concerns about idolism when discussing the Black Stone?

Some individuals may be concerned about idolism because the act of touching or kissing the Black Stone can appear similar to worshiping an idol. However, in Islam, the Black Stone is not considered a deity, and its significance lies in its connection to the Prophet Muhammad rather than any divine power.

How does the concept of idolism in Islam differ from practices involving the Black Stone?

Idolism, in the Islamic context, refers to the worship of objects as deities. The Black Stone, however, is not worshipped. It is treated as a symbol and is venerated due to its historical connection to the Prophet Muhammad, not because it has any inherent divine power.

What does the passage from Isaiah 6:6-7 signify in relation to touching sacred objects?

In Isaiah 6:6-7, a seraph touches Isaiah’s lips with a live coal, symbolizing the removal of his guilt and atonement. This parallels the act of touching the Black Stone, where the action is seen as symbolic of purification, rather than an act of worship.

Is there a difference between kissing and touching the Black Stone during the pilgrimage?

Yes, there is a difference. Kissing the Black Stone is voluntary and can be done by pilgrims if they are close enough, while touching the stone is an acceptable alternative if kissing is not possible. Both actions are acts of reverence but are not acts of worship.

Why did Umar ibn al-Khattab, a respected figure in Islam, kiss the Black Stone?

Umar ibn al-Khattab kissed the Black Stone as a symbolic act of reverence, acknowledging that it was the Prophet Muhammad's practice. He emphasized that the stone itself has no power to harm or benefit; the act was simply a way to honor the Prophet’s tradition.

What was the purpose of discussing the Black Stone in relation to the concept of 'idolism'?

The discussion about idolism centers on whether the act of kissing or touching the Black Stone constitutes worshiping an idol. The conversation aims to clarify that while the Black Stone is revered, it is not worshiped, and its significance is purely symbolic, as per Islamic teachings.

How do Muslims view the Black Stone in terms of its ability to bring harm or benefit?

Muslims believe the Black Stone has no inherent power to bring harm or benefit. It is merely a symbol that was touched by the Prophet Muhammad, and the reverence shown to it is based on its historical significance, not on any divine power it holds.

What was the role of the Black Stone in the early history of Islam?

The Black Stone was venerated by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions as a part of the tradition during the Hajj pilgrimage. It has been part of Islamic practices since the time of the Prophet, who kissed it as a way to follow the example of earlier prophetic traditions.

Can the Black Stone be considered an idol in Islamic teachings?

No, the Black Stone cannot be considered an idol in Islamic teachings. Although it is revered, Islam strictly forbids the worship of idols. The Black Stone is seen as a symbolic object that serves to remind Muslims of the practices of the Prophet Muhammad, rather than a source of divine power.