Definition
AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ (الركن اليمانى) refers to the Yamānī pillar of the Kaʿbah, located at the southern corner of this sacred Islamic structure in Mecca. This corner is distinctively marked by a unique stone around five feet from the ground, which holds great spiritual significance for pilgrims.
Etymology and Background
Etymology: The term “AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ” derives from Arabic:
- الركن (ar-Rukn) meaning “the pillar” or “corner.”
- اليمانى (al-Yamānī) meaning “the Yemeni,” indicating its direction towards Yemen.
The designation marks out the south corner of the Kaʿbah, which is the only one named after a geographical location.
Background: Historically, AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ is considered one of the ancient parts of the Kaʿbah. Various historical records, including those from notable Western explorers like Burkhardt and Captain Burton, describe its physical properties and the pilgrim rituals associated with it.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
While various cultures have distinct sacred rituals and pilgrimage sites, the concept of touching or kissing specific holy monuments—believed to be conduits of divine blessings—is echoed in multiple traditions. In Islam, the practice adds a layered richness to the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, focusing on accessing the divine mercy by meditative actions around the Kaʿbah.
Synonyms
- The Yamānī Corner
- Yemeni Rukn/RoKhan
Antonyms
- The Shāmi Corner (الرّكن الشامي, located towards Syria and Lebanon)
Related Terms with Definitions
- Kaʿbah (الكعبة): The most sacred site in Islam, located in the centre of the mosque al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
- Hajj (الحج): The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.
- Umrah (العُمرة): The non-mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Exciting Facts
- El Mustajab (المستجاب): The section near AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ is known as El Mustajab, considered a place where prayers are granted.
- Historical Consistency: Despite numerous reconstructions of the Kaʿbah, AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ is believed to have retained much of its ancient heritage.
- Pilgrims’ Rituals: Traditionally, pilgrims touch AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ with their right hand, symbolically seeking divine mercy and forgiveness.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- “To witness with one’s eyes the AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ, and to feel its sanctity under one’s touch, is akin to feeling the pulse of Islam’s spiritual heart.” — Captain Richard Burton, El Medinah and Mecca (Volume II)
References and Recommended Literature
- Burkhardt, John Lewis. Travels in Arabia: A precise form of insightful exploration of Islamic terrestrial values.
- Burton, Richard Francis. Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah: A classical travelogue providing rich details on the Kaʿbah and its corners.
Quizzes
May your quest for knowledge be as enduring as the sacred stone of AR-RUKNU ʾL-YAMĀNĪ.
— Fatima Rahmani, 2023
