Rukn al-Yamani or Yamani Corner is one of al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa's four pillars and one of two pillars from which the kiswa rises in two parts, as pilgrims tend to kiss and touch them seeking reward. It is located in al-Kaaba's southwest corner, and is flanked on the southeast side by the Black Stone. It is surrounded by a handmade ornament that is embroidered with gold-plated silver wire, adding elegance and glamour to distinguish it from the other corners. The dimensions of the embroidery added in 2016 are about 115x92 cm, with an estimated thickness of fifteen cm.
The virtues of the Yamani Corner
The Yamani Corner rests on the foundations set by the Prophet Ibrahim peace be upon him (PBUH) upon which he built al-Kaaba. Among its virtues is a line attributed to Ibn Omar: The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'wiping the Black Stone and the Yamani Corner erases sins completely'.
The Yamani Corner's status
Pilgrims arrive at the Yamani Corner before reaching the Black Stone. The corner is named after its direction facing Yemen. Tawaf performers can touch (istilaam) the Yamani Corner by hand in each circuit (shawt), but not kiss it, unlike the Black Stone. If unable to touch it, pilgrims cannot point towards it. As they walk between the Yamani Corner and Black Stone, pilgrims ask that Allah grant them all that is good in this world and in their afterlife, and to protect them from the punishment of fire.
Several hadiths describe the importance of the Yamani Corner, including the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: ' The Yamani Corner will come on the Day of Resurrection with greater magnificence than Abu Qubays. It has two tongues and two lips'. Ibn Omar said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not omit to touch the Yamani Corner and Black Stone every circuit.
History of the Yamani Corner
The Yamani Corner witnessed a series of events, as documented by Ibn al-Athir's al-Kamil in 1016. He said, 'the Yamani Corner of the Grand Mosque was scattered', meaning its parts were dispersed. It is again mentioned in the events of the year 1121, 'The Yamani Corner shook from the Kaaba, may Allah increase its honor, due to an earthquake, and some of it collapsed'.
The Yamani Corner was restored during a comprehensive restoration of al-Kaaba during the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in 1957.
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