Soon after sunset on the day of Arafah, the pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah quietly and reverently in compliance with the advice of the Prophet (SAS) who said when he noticed people walking without calmness:  “O people!

Be  quiet, hastening is not a sign of righteousness”.  (Bukhari).  

   To follow the example of the Prophet (SAS) keep reciting the Talbeyah, glorifying Allah the Greatest and mentioning the name of Allah until the time of stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, Al-Jamrat-al-Kubra (a stone pillar in Mina).  In Muzdalifah, the pilgrim performs Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening the Isha prayer to two Rak’ah.  Pilgrims stay overnight in Muzdalifah to perform the Fajr prayer and wait until the brightness of the morning is widespread before they leave for Mina passing through the sacred Mash’ar Al Haram valley.   Women and weak individuals are allowed to proceed to Mina at any time after Midnight to avoid the crowd.  

BACK TO MINA

  Stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah:

When the pilgrims arrive in Mina, they go to Jamrat Al-Aqabah where they stone it with seven pebbles glorifying Allah “Allah-u-Akbar” at each throw and calling on him to accept their Hajj.  The time of stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah is after sunrise.  The Prophet (SAS) threw the pebbles late in the morning and permitted the weak people to stone after leaving Muzdalifah after Midnight.  The size of the pebbles should not be more than that of a pea as described by the Prophet (SAS) who warned against exaggeration.  The pebbles can be picked up either in Muzdalifah or in Mina.  

  SLAUGHTER OF SACRIFICE:

  After stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, the pilgrim goes to slaughter his sacrifice either personally or through the appointment of somebody else to do it on his behalf.  A pilgrim should slaughter either a sheep, or share a cow or a camel with six others.  

SHAVING THE HEAD OR TRIMMING THE HAIR:  

    The final rite on the tenth day after offering one’s sacrifice is to shave his head or to cut some of the hair.  Shaving the head is, however preferable for it was reported that the Prophet prayed three times for those who shaved their heads, when he said in the meaning of -:  “May Allah’s Mercy be upon those who shaved their heads”.  (Bukhari, Muslim)  For women, the length of hair to be cut is that of a fingertip.  The stoning of Jamrat Al-Aqabah and the shaving of head or the trimming of hair symbolizes the end of the first phase of the state of Ihram and the lifting of its restrictions except for sexual intercourse with one’s spouse.  Stoning Jamrat Al-Aqabah, slaughtering the sacrifice and shaving the head or cutting part of the hair are preferred to be in this order, as it is the order that the Prophet (SAS) did them.  However, if they are done in any order, there is no harm in that.  

  TAWAF AL-IFADHAH:  

Tawaf Al-Ifadha is a fundamental rite of Hajj.  The pilgrim makes Tawaf Al-Ifadhah by visiting Al-Masjid Al-Haraam and circling the Ka’bah seven times and praying two Rak’ah behind Maqam brahim if possible and without causing any harm to Muslims.  Then the pilgrim should make Sa’i between the Safa and the Marwa.   After Tawaf Al-Ifadhah the state of Ihram is completely ended and all restrictions are lifted including sexual intercourse with one’s spouse.  Tawaf Al-Ifadah can be delayed until the days spent in Mina are over

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