The Stone in the Temple A Muslim Legend
Retold by Aaron Shepard
Printed in Cricket, June 1995, and Australia’s School Magazine, Oct. 1995
“The sons of Makhzum should raise the Black Stone,” declared one of the men in the circle. “It is our right as foremost of the tribes.”
“Who gave you such a position?” demanded another man. “The sons of Jumah will raise it!”
“Not while the sons of Abdu Manaf stand here,” said another. “The honor should be ours.”
“Then you will have to fight for it,” cried another. “None but the sons of Abdul-Dar shall raise the stone!”
In the years before Muhammad’s holy mission, it happened that the tribes around Mecca decided to rebuild their temple, the Kaaba. In those days, the Kaaba was simply a yard enclosed by a wall. Their plan was to build a higher, thicker wall and add a roof.
Each tribe had chosen a section of the wall and started pulling down the stones. The sacred Black Stone, built into the east corner, had been removed carefully and set aside.
At last they had gotten down to the foundation laid by Abraham. They had begun to rebuild, and the wall had grown steadily higher. But when the time had come to raise the Black Stone back to its place, they could not agree on which tribe would have the honor.
The dispute grew fiercer and fiercer, till it seemed likely that blood would flow. But then Abu Amayya said, “Brothers, let us not fight among ourselves. I have an idea: Wait for the next man who comes through the gate, then give the decision to him.”
All agreed and settled down to wait. And it happened that the first man to enter the gate was Muhammad, he whom they called “The Trustworthy One.”
When Muhammad had listened to their claims, he considered for a moment. Then he said, “Bring me a cloak.”
They brought one, and Muhammad spread it on the ground. Then he took the Black Stone and placed it in the center.
“Each tribe will choose a man to hold the cloak by its edge. Then all will raise the stone together.”
This was done, and Muhammad himself set the stone in place. Then all the tribes were satisfied, and work went on with no further dispute.
Printed in Cricket, June 1995, and Australia’s School Magazine, Oct. 1995
“The sons of Makhzum should raise the Black Stone,” declared one of the men in the circle. “It is our right as foremost of the tribes.”
“Who gave you such a position?” demanded another man. “The sons of Jumah will raise it!”
“Not while the sons of Abdu Manaf stand here,” said another. “The honor should be ours.”
“Then you will have to fight for it,” cried another. “None but the sons of Abdul-Dar shall raise the stone!”
In the years before Muhammad’s holy mission, it happened that the tribes around Mecca decided to rebuild their temple, the Kaaba. In those days, the Kaaba was simply a yard enclosed by a wall. Their plan was to build a higher, thicker wall and add a roof.
Each tribe had chosen a section of the wall and started pulling down the stones. The sacred Black Stone, built into the east corner, had been removed carefully and set aside.
At last they had gotten down to the foundation laid by Abraham. They had begun to rebuild, and the wall had grown steadily higher. But when the time had come to raise the Black Stone back to its place, they could not agree on which tribe would have the honor.
The dispute grew fiercer and fiercer, till it seemed likely that blood would flow. But then Abu Amayya said, “Brothers, let us not fight among ourselves. I have an idea: Wait for the next man who comes through the gate, then give the decision to him.”
All agreed and settled down to wait. And it happened that the first man to enter the gate was Muhammad, he whom they called “The Trustworthy One.”
When Muhammad had listened to their claims, he considered for a moment. Then he said, “Bring me a cloak.”
They brought one, and Muhammad spread it on the ground. Then he took the Black Stone and placed it in the center.
“Each tribe will choose a man to hold the cloak by its edge. Then all will raise the stone together.”
This was done, and Muhammad himself set the stone in place. Then all the tribes were satisfied, and work went on with no further dispute.
Mga Komento
Mag-post ng isang Komento