Located in the eastern corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad), whose now broken pieces are surrounded by a ring of stone and held together by a heavy silver band. According to tradition, this stone was given to Adam on his expulsion from paradise in order to obtain forgiveness of his sins. Legend has it that the stone was originally white but has become black by absorbing the sins of the countless thousands of pilgrims who have kissed and touched it.

Every Muslim who makes the hajj or ʿumrah pilgrimage is required to walk around the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times. While performing this ritual of walking in seven circles (ṭawāf) around the Kaaba, they are encouraged to touch or kiss the Black Stone if possible, though doing so is not mandatory.

The kiswah is changed annually, a tradition which since 2022 has been set on the first day of the Islamic month of Muḥarram—-the start of the new year on the Hijri calendar. A ceremonial washing of the Kaaba, which .