Welcome back to Road to Hajj, a simple overview of the Hajj rituals and a light reflection on the meanings behind them. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive fiqh guide — just an easy companion for those wanting to connect deeper with the journey.
Today is the 11th of Dhul Hijjah. The hujjaj are now spending most of the night — if not all of it — back in Mina, the city of tents. It’s sunnah to stay the whole night, but wajib to remain for at least half of it.
Now Mina isn’t a place of intense rituals. There’s no specific dhikr or du‘a you’re required to do. The main challenge here, honestly, is managing basic needs — especially toilets. You’ve got limited facilities and a massive number of people.
But what should we be doing in Mina?
Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمْ مَنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا ٱللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا
“When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers — or with even greater remembrance.” [Surah al-Baqarah, 2:200]
The Arabs in Jahiliyyah used to sit around their tents in Mina talking about how great their ancestors were — telling tales of glory and lineage. Allah says: that’s not the point. Don’t just talk about the greatness of those who came before. Remember Allah instead.
We see this same thing today in our Ummah. “Oh, we had amazing scholars in the past… Muslim scientists… Al-Khawarizmi, Ibn Sina, so on…” That’s wonderful — but what are we doing now?
So while in Mina, do dhikr. Be in remembrance. Don’t just glorify the past — contribute to the present.
From the 11th, 12th, and optionally the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, the hujjaj will be doing the stoning at the Jamarat. On the 10th, they only stoned the largest one — Jamrat al-‘Aqabah. But on the 11th and 12th, they now go to all three: the small, middle, and large pillars.
What’s the story behind this?
It goes back to Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام.
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, when he was on his way to fulfil the dream and sacrifice his son Ismail, Shaytan tried to intervene. At three different points, Shaytan appeared to him, whispering doubts:
“You’ve done enough. You’ve sacrificed so much. You built the Kaaba. You passed all your tests. Why are you doing this? Why would Allah ask this of you?”
At each of those three points, Ibrahim picked up seven small stones, threw them in the direction of Shaytan and said:
Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.
And he moved on.
Three times — three locations. That’s why we have three Jamarat.
This wasn’t just symbolic. There’s a deeper lesson here:
When Shaytan comes to you with doubt, with temptation — don’t just pray. Move.
Ibrahim didn’t stay in place. He changed location. He physically moved away from the source of temptation.
And we are taught the same thing in our tradition. If you find yourself in a place that leads you to sin, change your place. Remove yourself from toxic environments, from harmful friends, from dangerous routines.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
المرءُ على دِينِ خَليلِهِ، فليَنظُرْ أحدُكم مَن يُخالِلُ
“A person is upon the religion of his close companion, so be mindful who you befriend.” [Tirmidhi]
Even in spiritual matters — like nightmares — the Prophet ﷺ told us: if you wake up terrified, don’t just make du‘a. Turn to your left, blow lightly three times, and change your sleeping position. Don’t stay in the same spot.
Again — you’re taught to move.
So this action of stoning the Jamarat teaches us two powerful lessons:
Shaytan won’t stop after the first try.
He’ll come back, again and again, with new angles and new whispers.
If you persist in dhikr and take real action, he’ll eventually stop.
The whispering of that particular sin will fade — as long as you remain steadfast.
Be aware of your surroundings. Be conscious of your mental state. If you know you fall into sin when you’re alone, change that habit. Call a friend. Go to the masjid. Be around better people. You’re not expected to win against Shaytan on sheer willpower alone. He’s had millennia of practice.
Ibrahim taught us that — when Shaytan whispers, you say Allahu Akbar, and then… you move.
May Allah protect us from the whispers of Shaytan, and guide us to environments and companions that bring us closer to Him.
Ameen.
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