Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone) is situated on the south-eastern corner of the holy Kaaba which marks the starting and finishing point for circling the Kaaba (known as tawaaf).
Today, only parts of the stone are present; consisting of 8 pieces of varying sizes. These are affixed to a larger stone, encased in a silver frame and attached to the corner of the Kaaba about 1.5 meters above the ground.
Prophet Muhammad (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) informed us of three main virtues of the Stone:
1) Allah sent it down to earth from paradise whiter than milk; however the sins of mankind turned it black.
2) It will come on the Day of Judgment with two eyes with which it will see and a tongue with which it will speak and will testify for those who have touched it in truth and sincerity.
3) Touching the Stone is also one of the means by which Allah (the Glorified and Exalted) erases sins.