Hajj is performed in the month of Dhul Hijjah and every year millions of Muslims gather in Makkah to perform Hajj. There are many rituals of Hajj that complete the pilgrim. However, today our topic under discussion is the Muzdalifah Hajj ritual. We will discuss in detail what the pilgrims do during this ritual. It mainly involves moving from Arafat to Muzdalifah after Wuquf on the second day of Hajj. The pilgrims pray Maghreb and Isha prayer in Muzdalifah and then gather pebbles for Rami al Jamarat.
What to do at Muzdalifah?
Muzdalifah is derived from the Arabic word “Izdalafah” which means “approach” or “come closer.
Muzdalifah is mentioned in the Holy Quran as Mashar al Haram.
In Surah al Baqarah (2:198) Allah says:
“But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mashar al Haram. And remember him as he guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray.”
At Muzdalifah, the pilgrims stay under the sky at night. There are no facilities or tents for them at this place.
At Muzdalifah there are several activities that are performed:
Pebbles collection Muzdalifah:
The pilgrims gather the stones or pebbles in Muzdalifah for the ritual of stoning the devil which is performed in Mina.
This is the number of pebbles that are collected for Rami for the next few days:
- 7 for 10th Dhul Hijjah
- 21 for 11th Dhul Hijjah
- 21 for 12th Dhul Hijjah
You can collect 10 more pebbles to be on the safe side. As you might miss a target or you might lose the pebbles so you must have some extra in case of need.
You can collect the pebbles in the morning as it is tye Sunnah of Holy Prophet. However, pebble collection at night is also acceptable.
Combined Prayers:
Pilgrims offer combined Maghrib and Isha prayers in Muzdalifah.
There will be one Adhan.
Then Iqamah for maghrib prayer will be said and after the completion of Maghrib fard, Takbeer al Tashriq is said.
Again Iqamah is recited for Isha salah and two rakahs are performed as Qasr prayer.
Then takbir al Tashreeq, then two sunnah of Maghrib and after that Witr prayer.
Spend the night under open sky.
Moreover, engage in several spiritual activities like prayer, supplication and forgiveness.
Importance of Muzdalifah:
Muzdalifah is the third important place that the pilgrims visit during Hajj. This ritual also holds a lot of spiritual significance. Let’s have a look at the importance of the Muzdalifah ritual:
Spiritual Significance:
Pilgrims spend their night here after a day in Arafah. They seek his pleasure and submit to him by offering Maghrib and Isha prayer. Every ritual strengths and deepens their faith before the final rituals.
Rejecting evil:
When the pilgrims gather the pebbles for stoning of the devil the next day, they remember the act of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH, how he wasn’t provoked by Satan instead they rejected him and turned him down. So, this act symbolizes getting rid of evil.
Unity:
Muzdalifah emphasizes on the unity and the brotherhood of Muslims as pilgrims of different backgrounds gather together to perform the ritual and bonds them together with same faith and devotion.
The Prophet Muhammad SAWS instructed the weak pilgrims, women, children and the elderly to leave for Mina before dawn so that they avoid congestion while the others must stay in Muzdalifah and go to Mina after Fajr.
Therefore, Hajj journey Muzdalifah is of great importance and the pilgrims follow the footsteps of their Prophet Muhammad PBUH and perform the Muzdalifah rituals sincerely and maintain the connection with the Islamic history and the traditions of Hajj. If you go with a professional Hajj travel agency then they will provide you a guided Hajj pilgrimage with everything covered.