Istilaam in Arabic means to touch with the hand or the mouth. In the Sharee‘ah, Istilaam of the Black Stone means kissing it or touching it with the hand. Jaabir, May Allah Be Pleased with him, related that the Prophet touched the [Yamaani] Corner during his pilgrimage.
If the pilgrim who makes Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah cannot touch or kiss the Black Stone, he should stand facing it, point to it and say Takbeer. In a Hadeeth, Ibn ‘Abbaas, May Allah Be Pleased with him, said: “The Prophet made Tawaaf around the House on a camel. Whenever he passed by the Corner, he pointed to it with something he had, then he said Takbeer.”
The Prophet said to ‘Umar, May Allah Be Pleased with him, “O ‘Umar! You are a strong man, so do not push to reach the Stone and hence, hurt those who are weak. If you find a space, kiss it and touch it; otherwise, face it and make Tahleel and Takbeer.”If a pilgrim can face the Stone with something, like a stick in his hand, he should do so because the Prophet did so. Ibn ‘Abbaas, May Allah Be Pleased with him, said, “The Prophet made Tawaaf during the Farewell Hajj on a camel and pointed to the Corner with a crook.”
