“The Black Stone descended from Paradise, and it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the children of Adam have blackened it.”

Narrated by Aḥmad (no. 2795), al-Tirmidhī (no. 877, the wording is his), and Ibn Khuzaymah (no. 2733).
Aḥmad also reports: ‘whiter than snow, until the sins of the people of polytheism blackened it,’ from the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both).
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 6756) and Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah (no. 2618).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

 Sins have harmful effects on the hearts and souls, and their impact may extend to the individual and society. Therefore, a Muslim should beware of them and strive to purify the heart and nurture the soul.
In this ḥadīth, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) indicates that sins have an apparent effect even on inanimate objects. He explained that the Black Stone descended from Paradise in utmost purity and whiteness, saying: “The Black Stone descended from Paradise.” This highlights its honor and virtue. It is the stone located at the eastern corner of the Kaʿbah, known as the Black Corner. His statement, “and it was whiter than milk,” and in another narration, “than snow,” indicates its original purity and brightness. Then he said, “but the sins of the children of Adam blackened it,” and in another narration, “until the sins of the people of polytheism blackened it,” meaning that the sins committed on earth—disbelief, polytheism, and transgressions—had an effect on its color.
This serves as a warning about the impact of sins on the heart: if sins can affect inanimate objects, their effect on the heart is certainly greater and more profound. The ḥadīth highlights the virtue of the Black Stone, the danger of sins and transgressions, the necessity of caution, and that proximity and association influence change and susceptibility (by one’s environment).