What is the act of kissing or gesturing towards Hajar al-Aswad called?

A. Tawaf
B. Istilam
C. Sa’i
D. Arafah

Explanation:

Istilam is the act of kissing or touching the Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone, or gesturing towards it with the right hand at the beginning and end of each circuit of the Kaaba during the Tawaf ritual of Hajj and Umrah.
The Hajar al-Aswad is a sacred stone that is believed to have been sent down from heaven to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail (peace be upon him) to mark the location of the Kaaba. It is located on the eastern corner of the Kaaba, and Muslims consider it to be one of the most sacred objects in Islam.

During the Tawaf ritual, pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction, beginning and ending at the Hajar al-Aswad. At the beginning and end of each circuit, pilgrims perform Istilam, which involves kissing the stone or gesturing towards it with the right hand.

Istilam is an important part of the Tawaf ritual, and it symbolizes the pilgrim’s reverence for the sacred stone and their commitment to following the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. The act of Istilam is also believed to be a way of seeking forgiveness for one’s sins and asking for blessings from Allah.

Overall, Istilam is an important part of the Hajj and Umrah rituals, and it represents the deep connection between Muslims and the sacred site of the Kaaba in Mecca.