What I did suggest was the posibility of pagan or polytheistic elements, as the stone clearly is pre-Islamic and would have served as a tool in pagan rites.
If that be the case then you would be ascribing some sort of divinity association with the stone. There is absolutely no evidence that the black stone was looked at of having association with their gods they worshipped before the time of Muhammad (s.a.w.)
When you use the terms "Pagan of Polytheistic elements" it denotes association of divine relation of some sort.
my point is that the actual concept behind the stone, from its original setting was pagan.
But what is the concept. You have not expounded on this. In order for you to establish your point you must show bases of concept, what is the black stone used for, why does it lodge at the corner of the Ka'abah ?
And Muhammad kissing the black stone, thus involved pagan elements into Islam, by making the practice a sunnah or permissible.
Absolutly not. Just cause he kissed it that does not mean that we have to do it. AS a matter of fact he did this ONLY once, all other time he touched it our merely pointed at it when complete each circulation.
The prophet did not instruct his followers to kiss the black stone, and also I think you are missunderstanding the concept of the Prophets sunnah on what is obligated for us to do and what is voluntary. As a matter of fact kissing the black stone is not fardh or obligated on a muslim when making Hajj.
And again you have yet to explain how is kissing the black stone of pagan element when Muhammad (s.a.w.) was recognized to have been the first to do such a thing.
Why do I say this? Because stones fallen from heaven, played a high role in ancient religions. Just look at the Aphrodite at Paphos, Cybele at Pessinus, Astarte at Byblus, and Artemis, the Diana of Ephesus
.
Have you read the hadeeths on this ? The concept of the black stone and how it came about is not in total agreement.
It was typical in ancient religious practice to worship these stones, or at least describe divinity to them of some kind, and even more these stones became religious centres of worship, and shrines were attached as well.
My point is, why should not the black stone in the Kaba resemble anything else but the traces of ancient pagan rites and concepts. After all there is no history behind it which links the stone to the Abrahamic faith and religion.
Because it was not used for that purpose and was never seen in such light as being.
My second point is, the followers of Muhammad, were uneasy about performing this particular sunnah or practice of Muhammad, and why, my only conclusion is, they knew things were relating to elements which were not monotheistic.
I would disagree, cause in that case you would have to show the pagan elements of the black stone of its purpose. If it was not looked at as divine or worshiped then your guess is wrong.
This also leads to further possibilities, that Muhammad indeed did engage in syncrethism and possibly transferred ancestral belief and concepts into a monotheistic framework.
For one to eat dates and to drink honey when sick or when going to the bathroom to use water to clean one self is considered monotheistic ? It has nothing to do with monotheism or pagan elements.
First you need to establish what was the purpose of the Black stone ?
As I have understood it, Islamic legend states that the stone came down at the time of Adam, had a white colour, but darked due to the sin of man. Anyway if I am wrong, do correct me.
Let me get a Quote from a Shaikh.
“There are various reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning the origin or the Black Stone, but most of them are of doubtful origins. In Islam, we should not base our belief on sources which we cannot verify one hundred percent. The only fact that we can certainly establish is that it was put there by Prophet Ibrahim and Isma’eel (peace be upon them both) by the order of Almighty Allah, and the purpose of it was to indicate the beginning of tawaf (circumabulation of the Ka`bah).
Thus we as Muslims do not attach divine power to the stone. As `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said: “You’re just a stone that does not benefit or harm anyone, and if I hadn’t seen the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kissing you, I would have not done so."
So, we are simply touching or kissing the Black Stone in order to honor us with association with the great Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); it does not imply any reverence whatsoever."
http://www.islam-online.net/fatwaapplic ... twaID=7510
The link above also makes mention of hadeeths that mention the origin of the black stone but these hadeeths are not originally Saheeh but have been classified as such by modern scholars which contradict Quran that are clear to be rejected as NOT authentic or to be trusted.