A rock from far away

[Scott Haley]

Mr. Randi quotes a whole bunch of dubious claims about the black stone in Mecca. One of them is that scientific tests prove the the rock is from outside our solar system. Am I right to think that this is impossible? I think that if you did have a rock from outside our solar system, no scientific test would verify that.

--Scott

[RSLancastr]

According to Kaz, yes.

(Sorry, couldn't resist).

[FireGarden]

Perhaps Randi should mention some of the pre-Islamic references to the stone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone

I hadn't heard the "testify on judgement day" story before. But the story where the tribal leaders share carrying the stone is familiar.

So is the quote of Umar ibn al-Khattab, "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm anyone nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger kissing you, I would not have kissed you."

The similarities to idolatry are obvious, which is probably why Umar had to make clear he was not involved in any such thing.


I think that if you did have a rock from outside our solar system, no scientific test would verify that.

You look on the bottom -- it says "Made in Alpha Centauri."