86 THE MAGIC OP JEWELS AND CHARMS
the
old fractures. At first an offer of 50,000 dinars ($125,-000) was made
for the return of the stone, but before many years had passed the
Cannâtes restored it voluntarily, having been disappointed in their
hope of attracting the pilgrims. The Black Stone was destined to
suffer still greater injury. In 1022 a.D., Hakem,
the ruler of Egypt, who suffered from megalomania and was disposed to
claim divine honors for himself, dispatched an emissary to Mecca to
destroy the stone. Mixing with the crowd of pilgrims, this man
approached the revered relic, and crying out "How long shall this stone
be adored and kissed!" struck it a tremendous blow with a club. The
story runs that only three small pieces were broken from the stone, but
as it is also stated that these pieces were pulverized and the powder
made into a cement to fill up the cracks, the injury was probably much
greater than the pious Mohammedans were willing to admit.28
Mohammedan
tradition teaches that the Black Stone was sent from heaven and was
once pure and brilliant; it only grew black because of the sins of men.
Legend relates that Abraham stood on this stone during the construction
of the Kaaba. This edifice was erected in a miraculous way, for the
stones came of themselves, all cut and polished, from the Mountain of
Arafat. However, no place was found for the Black Stone, and it was
afflicted and said to Abraham: "Why have not I also been used for the
House of God?" "Be comforted," replied the Prophet; "for I will see
that you are more honored than any other stone of the edifice. I will
command all men, in the name of God, that they shall kiss you when they
pass in the procession."80
A fragment of the Black Stone of Mecca was brought to Bagdad in 951 a.d. by order of the Khalif Moti Lillah, and
" Burckhardt, " Travels in Arabia," London, 1829, p. 167.
" Chardin, " Voyage en Perse," Amsterdam, 1736, vol. iv, p. 171.
