Pilgrims in Muzdalifah: Stoning the Jamarat and spending the night after Arafat | Hajj 1447 AH
In a scene of profound faith and spiritual tranquility, the pilgrims in Muzdalifah this night, having been blessed by God to stand on the sacred plains of Arafat , the most important pillar of Hajj. This move is an essential part of the Hajj rituals, where pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah and collect pebbles for the stoning of the Jamarat, in a spiritual journey embodying the meanings of monotheism and submission to God's will.
Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, the pilgrims performed the Maghrib and Isha prayers combined and shortened, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who taught the Muslim community how to perform this great ritual. After the prayers, the pilgrims began collecting pebbles to use in the stoning of the Jamarat in Mina, a tradition dating back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), symbolizing the expulsion of Satan's whispers and resistance against evil.
The importance of Muzdalifah during the Hajj pilgrimage
The journey from Arafat to Muzdalifah is the third stage of the Hajj pilgrimage. After spending the Day of Arafat in supplication and prayer, the pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifah to spend the night there until dawn of the Day of Sacrifice (the first day of Eid al-Adha). This overnight stay is not merely a rest, but an integral part of the ritual, imbued with profound wisdom. It prepares the pilgrims both mentally and physically for the next stage of Hajj: the stoning of the Jamarat, the Tawaf al-Ifadah (circumambulation of the Kaaba), and the Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwa).
Historically, Muzdalifah lies between Mina and Arafat, and it is mentioned in the Holy Quran in the verse: “Then when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at the Sacred Monument.” The Sacred Monument is Mount Quzah in Muzdalifah, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to stand and supplicate to God. These holy places are not merely geographical locations, but profound spiritual stations that remind Muslims of the history of the prophets and their sacrifices, and deepen in their hearts the meanings of devotion and servitude to God alone.
The Kingdom's preparations to receive pilgrims
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of pilgrims annually from around the world, dedicating all its human and material resources to ensuring they can perform their rituals with ease and safety. These efforts include developing the infrastructure of the holy sites and providing round-the-clock health, security, and logistical services. These extensive preparations reflect the Kingdom's commitment to serving the pilgrims and reaffirm its leading role in the care of the Two Holy Mosques.
The General Authority for Statistics announced today that the total number of pilgrims for this year, 1447 AH, reached 1,707,301. Statistics showed that 1,546,655 pilgrims arrived from outside the Kingdom through various entry points, while the number of domestic pilgrims, both citizens and residents, reached 160,646. The total number of pilgrims was distributed between 893,396 males and 813,905 females, reflecting the great diversity in nationalities and cultures of the pilgrims who flock to the Holy Land.
The spiritual and global impact of Hajj
The impact of Hajj extends beyond the individual religious sphere to encompass social, economic, and global dimensions. Hajj represents a global gathering of Muslims, uniting them as one, transcending ethnic and social differences, in a scene that reinforces unity and brotherhood among the members of the Islamic community. This spiritual journey also leaves a profound mark on the pilgrims, who return to their homelands with purified hearts and renewed resolve, positively impacting their societies.
After spending the night in Muzdalifah, the pilgrims head to Mina after the Fajr prayer on the following day, which coincides with the first day of Eid al-Adha, to throw the Jamarat al-Aqaba al-Kubra. Then they slaughter the sacrificial animal, and shave or trim their heads, to exit the state of Ihram in the first stage. The Hajj rituals continue in the following days (the days of Tashreeq) by throwing the three Jamarat, thus completing the fifth pillar of Islam, and crowning the journey of a lifetime by performing this great ritual.
