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He who puts his lips to it would wish them never to be removed

From “Travels” by Ibn Jubayr

Travelers in the time of Ibn Jubayr
Travelers in the time of Ibn Jubayr

The blessed Black Stone is encased in the corner [of the Kabah] facing east. The depth to which it penetrates it is not known, but it is said to extend two cubits into the wall. Its breadth is two-thirds of a span, its length one span and a finger joint. It has four pieces, joined together, and it is said that it was the Qarmata [Shiite sect] — may God curse them — who broke it. Its edges have been braided with a sheet of silver whose white shines brightly against the black sheen and polished brilliance of the Stone, presenting the observer a striking spectacle which will hold his gaze. The Stone, when kissed, has a softness and moistness which so enchants the mouth that he who puts his lips to it would wish them never to be removed. This is one of the special favors of Divine Providence, and it is enough that the Prophet — may God bless and preserve him — declare it to be a covenant of God on earth.

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— from “Travels” by Ibn Jubayr

Ibn Jubayr (1145–1217) was a geographer, traveler, and poet from Muslim Spain who offers a valuable account of a pilgrimage he made to Mecca from 1183 to 1185. His account describes his voyage to Mecca, and his return trip through Christian Sicily, which had been recaptured from the Muslims a century prior to his visit. Unlike many travel books at the time, Ibn Jubayr’s accounts included great detail and description of the places he visited, including geographical, cultural, religious, and political.

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Travelers in the time of Ibn Jubayr
Travelers in the time of Ibn Jubayr

The blessed Black Stone is encased in the corner [of the Kabah] facing east. The depth to which it penetrates it is not known, but it is said to extend two cubits into the wall. Its breadth is two-thirds of a span, its length one span and a finger joint. It has four pieces, joined together, and it is said that it was the Qarmata [Shiite sect] — may God curse them — who broke it. Its edges have been braided with a sheet of silver whose white shines brightly against the black sheen and polished brilliance of the Stone, presenting the observer a striking spectacle which will hold his gaze. The Stone, when kissed, has a softness and moistness which so enchants the mouth that he who puts his lips to it would wish them never to be removed. This is one of the special favors of Divine Providence, and it is enough that the Prophet — may God bless and preserve him — declare it to be a covenant of God on earth.

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— from “Travels” by Ibn Jubayr

Ibn Jubayr (1145–1217) was a geographer, traveler, and poet from Muslim Spain who offers a valuable account of a pilgrimage he made to Mecca from 1183 to 1185. His account describes his voyage to Mecca, and his return trip through Christian Sicily, which had been recaptured from the Muslims a century prior to his visit. Unlike many travel books at the time, Ibn Jubayr’s accounts included great detail and description of the places he visited, including geographical, cultural, religious, and political.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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