Rukan Yamani

This corner of the Ka’bah is called the Rukan Yamani because it is situated on the side of the Ka’bah which faces the land of Yemen. It is on the wall opposite to that of the Hajar al-Aswad.

Because this corner is still standing on the foundation that Ebrahim (upon him be peace) built, the narration of Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) made ‘Istilaam’ of it.

‘Istilaam’ refers to the touching of the corner whether this is done by hand or by kissing. As the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) touched the Rukn Yamaani by hand, this practise is Sunnah. However, there is no harm if one is unable to touch it due to the crowds.

It was the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that when he passed between the Rukn Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad, he recited the following du’a: “O Rabb, grant us (all that which is) good in this world, (all that which is) good in the Aakhirah and save us from the punishment of the fire (of Jahannam).”[Surah Baqarah, verse 201]

References: The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani