Watch the heartfelt moment of a little girl trying to kiss Kaaba

The holy month of Ramadan is a special time for Muslims all over the world, and many travel to Makkah and Madinah to perform Umrah. In March 2024, a young Umrah pilgrim at the Grand Mosque in Makkah warmed thousands of hearts after a video of her went viral on social media. People were moved by her innocence and her persistence in trying to kiss the Holy Kaaba.

What Happens in the Viral Video

The little girl, dressed in a small abaya, is seen running towards the Holy Kaaba again and again, in adoration of the House of Allah, while other worshippers sit on the floor behind the barrier some distance away.

One of the security personnel, whose job is to manage the movement of pilgrims, gently brings her back to where her father is sitting. Her father encourages her, and they try to approach again, but are held up by security staff managing the crowd.

The young pilgrim was undaunted. She kept trying to reach the stone until her spirit and perseverance clearly won the staff over, and one of them lifted her up so she could kiss the Black Stone on the Kaaba. The video ends with the girl happily returning to her father after winning her little battle. Social media users across Saudi Arabia and beyond shared the clip, calling it one of the most heartwarming moments of Ramadan.

What Is the Kaaba?

The Kaaba is the cube-shaped building at the centre of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the holiest site in Islam. The word Kaaba means “cube” in Arabic.

• Size: about 12.86 metres long, 11.03 metres wide and up to 13.1 metres high.
• Qibla: Muslims all over the world face the Kaaba when they pray.
• Kiswa: It is covered with a black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses in gold, which is replaced every year during Hajj.
• History: Muslims believe Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismail (AS) built the original structure by the command of Allah.

What Is the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)?

The Black Stone, or al-Hajar al-Aswad, is set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba. It is the point where pilgrims begin and end each round of tawaf, walking seven times around the Kaaba anti-clockwise.

• The stone is now in several fragments held together and set in a silver frame.
• The visible part is small, roughly 20 cm by 16 cm, and has been polished smooth by the hands of pilgrims over the centuries.
• According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) placed the stone in the wall of the Kaaba around 605 CE, wisely settling a dispute among the tribes of Makkah over who would have the honour.

Why Do Muslims Kiss the Black Stone?

Muslims kiss or touch the Black Stone because the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did so, not because the stone itself has any power. This is made clear by the famous words of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who said to the stone that he knew it could neither harm nor benefit, and that had he not seen the Prophet (PBUH) kissing it, he would not have kissed it. It is an act of following the Sunnah, and the worship is for Allah alone.

Etiquette of Touching or Kissing the Black Stone

The act of kissing, touching or pointing towards the Black Stone during tawaf is called istilam. Here is the simple etiquette:

• If you can reach it easily: touch it with your hand and kiss it.
• If you can touch it but not kiss it: touch it with your hand and kiss your hand.
• If it is crowded: stay back, raise your hand towards the stone from a distance, say “Allahu Akbar”, and continue your tawaf.
• Never push: scholars stress that avoiding harm to other people is more important than performing a Sunnah act.

Crowd Safety Around the Kaaba

The area around the Black Stone is one of the most crowded spots in the world, especially in Ramadan and Hajj. That is why security staff at Masjid al-Haram manage movement near the Kaaba, as seen in the video. If you are going for Umrah with family:

• Keep children close and hold their hands in the mataf (the tawaf area).
• Agree on a meeting point in case you get separated.
• Follow the instructions of the Haram staff, who are there for everyone’s safety.
• Remember that pointing towards the Black Stone from a distance is a completely valid way to follow the Sunnah.

This little girl’s story touched so many hearts because it shows pure love for the House of Allah, and the kindness of the staff who helped her fulfil her wish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the viral video of the little girl and the Kaaba?

In March 2024, during Ramadan, a young girl on Umrah repeatedly tried to reach the Kaaba to kiss the Black Stone. Security staff first returned her to her father, but later lifted her up so she could kiss it.

What is the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)?

The Black Stone is a sacred stone set in a silver frame in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. Pilgrims start and end each round of tawaf there.

Why do Muslims kiss the Black Stone?

Muslims kiss the Black Stone to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who kissed it. Hazrat Umar (RA) made clear that the stone itself cannot harm or benefit anyone.

What if I cannot reach the Black Stone because of the crowd?

You can raise your hand towards it from a distance, say Allahu Akbar and continue your tawaf. Avoiding harm to others is more important than touching the stone.