Was the Black Stone (al-Hajar-ul-Aswad) of the Muslims Once the Head of an Idol?

The Catholic Saint John Damascene (676 – 749) reports that that sacred black stone (al-Hajar-ul-Aswad in Arabic) that Muslims kiss and venerate at the Kaaba in Mecca is actually the head of an ancient Arab idol depicting the fertility goddess Al-‘Uzzá.

This fact alone would be provocative in itself. However, we also read from Islamic sources that Muhammad once uttered that his followers should venerate and pray to Al-‘Uzzá and two other Arab goddesses. According to Muslim tradition, the angel Gabriel rebuked Muhammad for uttering these so-called “Satanic Verses.”

What’s interesting is that Muslim tradition itself betrays that the early inclinations of Muhammad were not 100% monotheistic. Instead we see a bit of goddess worship being tolerated…even approved. If this is the case, then Saint John Damascene’s allegation that the black stone is actually the head of a fertility goddess is particularly of interest.