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For a fifth of the world's population, Islam was both a religion and a complete way of life. For Muslims, Islam was not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people.
Islam today is the religion
and way of life for one billion people of diverse races, nations, and cultures
worldwide. There are Muslim communities
not only in Arab countries, but, also in Indonesia, Asia, Africa, China, the
Americas, and Europe. The black stone, which is about 50 cm in diameter is surrounded by a silver band. In 930 ACE, the stone broke apart into several pieces when it was stolen by Ismaili warriors who had pillaged Makkah (Mecca). Twenty-two years later it was returned. Silver nails were used to fasten the broken pieces to the stone. Some Muslims view the stone as nothing more than a stone. Some Muslims believe that during the time of Adam, the stone fell like a meteorite from the sky bringing with it a powerful purity that could cleanse the faithful of their sins. Originally thought to be dazzling white in colour, the stone turned black after absorbing sins for long period of time.
Some Muslims think that the stone can only eradicate minor sins, and, that
the stone will give favorable testimony on Judgement Day to Allah about those
who have kissed it. The second Caliph kissed the stone before the assembly
stating that he had also seen Allah's Messenger kissing the stone. Most Hajj
pilgrims nowadays are not able to get close enough to touch or kiss the stone
and must hail Al Hajarul-Aswad (Hajar el Aswad) solemnly from a distance.
Although the Quran contained many rules defining appropriate Muslim behavior, there were no Quranic rules governing many practical and religious matters. Muslims believed that it was important to refer to the Sunnah, the way of life of Muhammad and his companions.
Hadith were considered
important sources of reference by all of the traditional schools of
jurisprudence. The founders of the four schools of thought in Islam, Imam Malik,
Imam Ash-Shafi'i, Imam Abu Hanifah, and Imam Ahmad, are the most famous scholars
of Fiqh in Muslim history...
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Islam
Muslim Islamic Sunnah 
