Istilam

How to do Istilam

The method of performing Istilam is as follows:

• Place your palms on Hajar al-Aswad and put your face between your two hands.
• Say:

 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ  
Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar.

• Kiss Hajar al-Aswad three times without making a kissing noise.

Notes

• Avoid placing your forehead on Hajar al-Aswad as it wasn’t a practice of Rasulullah ﷺ.
• If possible, avoid touching the silver surrounding Hajar al-Aswad.

Istilam from a Distance

If Hajar al-Aswad is inaccessible, which is likely to be the case, Istilam can be performed from afar through the following method:

• Face al-Hajar al-Aswad and raise your hands up to your earlobes (as you would do when starting Salah).
• Ensure your palms are also facing it, as though your face and hands are on Hajar al-Aswad.
• Say:

 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ  
Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar.

• Kiss your palms without making a kissing noise.