Reference: Fataawa al-Hajj wal-‘Umrah waz-Ziyaarah – Page 88
Question: [Whilst on Hajj] a man with his mother approached al-Hajar al-Aswad to kiss it, but was unable to do so due to the crowds. So, he gave the policeman [standing] by al-Hajar al-Aswad ten riyals (approximately £1.80/$2.20). He (the policeman) then distanced the people from al-Hajar al-Aswad for this man and his mother, so they both could kiss it. Is this permissible or not?
And is his Hajj acceptable or not?
Response: If the matter is as mentioned, then the amount this man paid to the policeman is bribery and not permissible for him to have paid. The kissing of al-Hajar al-Aswad is a Sunnah and neither from the pillars of Hajj nor from its requirements. So whoever is able to touch or kiss it, without harming anyone, then it is permissible for him. And if he is unable to touch or kiss it, then he should touch it with a stick and then kiss it (the stick). And if he is unable to touch it with his hand or the stick, then he should make a sign towards it as he comes into line with it (opposite) and should say: ‘Allaahu Akbar’. This is the Sunnah. As for giving the bribe, then that is not permissible, not for the one making tawaaf and nor for the policeman. It is upon them both to repent to Allaah for that.
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet ﷺ and his family and his companions.
