Every year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to mecca, Islam’s most sacred place, to complete their Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages. And every year, those very pilgrims hope that they will be able to make their way through the crowd to kiss or touch the Black Stone.
In front of the famous Black Stone, given to the Prophet Abraham by the angel Gabriel, stands a guard who monitors and helps pilgrims who want to reach the stone.
With every passing hour, a new guard takes on the responsibility of keeping the Black Stone and its eager visitors safe.
24 guards who protect the stone are selected based on a certain list of criteria that ensures they are right for the job, like being physically fit and being able to handle the heat.
Officials from the General Presidency for affairs of the Grand Mosque purify the Kabba after every prayer with sanitizers, rose water, Oud, and purifiers made especially for the Kabba. The Grand Mosque is also purified 24 hours a day through sprinklers.
While many people might assume that the Black Stone is one whole stone, it is actually comprised of eight small rocks, the largest of which is the size of a date, that are molded together.
The Black Stone is located in a corner of the Kaaba and is about a meter and a half from the ground. Surrounded by a frame of pure silver.
The Black Stone signifies the beginning and end of each circumambulation around the Kabba, as pilgrims often wave at or attempt to touch the stone with each tawaaf.
Islam-Russia.com