Hadithcore
Sahih al-Bukhari, 1609
sahih

Narrated Salim bin `Abdullah that his father said:

"I have not seen the Prophet (ﷺ) touching except the two Yemenite Corners (i.e. the ones facing Yemen)."

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمْ أَرَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْتَلِمُ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ إِلاَّ الرُّكْنَيْنِ الْيَمَانِيَيْنِ‏.‏

References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 25, Hadith 95
USC-MSA web (English) reference
Vol. 2, Book 26, Hadith 678 (deprecated numbering scheme)
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
The Prophet expressly demonstrated the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah by words and deeds and he clarified what is permissible and what is not allowed therein. In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra) narrates that he has never seen the Prophet ﷺtouching and kissing any part of the Ka’bah apart from the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamaanee. The Prophet ﷺdid that because they are founded upon the foundations that Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) laid down. The Corner of the Black Stone has two merits, the first of which is containing the Black Stone, and the second is it being built on the foundations of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him). As for the second Corner, (al-Rukn al-Yamaanee), it only has the latter virtue (being built upon the foundations of Ibraaheem). For this reason, the Black Stone has been given more attention; hence, it has been prescribed for us to kiss it. Allah, Most High, says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.} (Quran 33:21). It is worth noting that kissing the Black Stone is among the Sunnah acts for the one who is able to do so without harming people. If one is unable to do so, then he should just place his hand on it, then he should lift it up and kiss it (the hand). If he cannot do that, then he should stand facing towards it and pointing with hands towards it and thereafter pronounce takbeer. .
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