What is the most precious stone of all? The Hajj pilgrimage was being shown live on T.V. Pilgrims were walking around the Ka’ba ceremonially. Many Muslims were kissing the special stone called Hajr al-Aswad, the black stone in one of the walls. It is said that Abraham and Ishmael used this stone to stand on while building the Ka’ba. According to some stories, the stone at a time could change its shape to help them construct the building. After he finished the task, Abraham put this stone in one wall of the Ka’ba.
According to some traditions, this stone was originally white. However, over the ages, it has turned black. Others believe it has turned black because of the touch of sinful human beings.
Umar Ibn al-Khattab, a companion of Muhammad and his second successor, is said to have disliked kissing this stone. One day, he said to it, “If the apostle of Allah had not kissed you, I would never have kissed you” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 26, Number 667).
Do you know that in the Bible, Jesus is called a stone, a cornerstone, and even the Living Stone? Those who believe in him are also addressed as the living stones in God’s house (Acts 4:10-11; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4).
The Scripture tells us that believers in Jesus are “no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20-21).
In another place, believers are addressed in these words: “As you come to him, the living stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 2:4-5) Jesus is also called the spiritual rock (1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:8). Jesus has many other titles, like the Word, the Prince of Peace, the Author of Life, and the Light of the World. The best source for finding out more about Jesus and his position is in the New Testament section of the Bible.