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Subject: Stoning during Hajj

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Email with question:

Salaam alaykum

My question is related to the stoning ritual during Hajj. As this is a minor detail of Hajj could you explain why some people make so much fuss about whether we should do it or not?

Reply

Salaam,

I am sure that many muslims today who have never performed Hajj are debating the stoning ritual without knowing what actually takes place and what are the rites that must be executed.

The following are the steps of stoning (according to sunna) and as performed by 2 million Muslims every year.

1- On the 10th day of Zhu Al-Hijjah the pilgrim departs from Muzdalifah, the pebbles are collected from there or on the road to Mina.

2- The pebbles should be the size of a pea. In accordance to the command of the prophet , the pilgrims are allowed to pick up the pebbles at any place on the return from Muzdalifah, except in the valley of Muhassir. In accordance to this command, pilgrims are not allowed to stop at the valley of Muhassir.

3- Additionally, only 7 pebbles are permitted to be picked up on the 10th day, this is accordance to Sunna.

4- After arrival at Mina on the 10th day, the pebbles are thrown. In following the prophets example, the pebbles should not be thrown before sunrise on the 10th day.

5- The pilgrims throw 7 pebbles at the Jamrat Al-Aqabah. Although the pilgrims are refrained and warned by the authorities, yet many are seen throwing their sandals, shoes and other objects at the jamrat (station) and cursing Satan !

(after that the pilgrim performs the slaughtering, shortening the hair and the tawaf al-ifadah (circumvolution of the kabaa)

6- The pilgrim returns to Mina once again to resume the stoning, where he spends the nights of the 11th and 12th there.

The stoning On the 11th , 12th and 13th day is done after the sun has passed the meridian (According to Sunna it is not permissible to stone before noon on these two days).

7- In following with what the prophet did, the pilgrims are told to throw the pebbles in a specific order. First, the pilgrim throws 7 pebbles at Jamrat Al-Sughra (the small Jamrah) which is farthest from the ka'bah, then seven at the jamrat Al-Wusta (the middle jamrah), and then seven at Jamrat Al-Aqabah (the large jamrah).

8- Those who are in a hurry miss out on the 13th day. Thus the stoning starts on the 10th day and ends on the 12th or 13th day of the month.

But if the pilgrim wishes to prolong his stay (which is advised in hadith), he/she can spend the night of the 13th in Mina and stones that afternoon as well in the same manner as on the twelfth day.

9- Although some have the comfort of a car or bus, the majority travel the trips from Muzdalifah to Mina for stoning, back to Mecca for circumvolution of the Kaabah, then back to Mina for the stoning on the 11th, 12th and 13th days on foot.

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These are the steps of the stoning rituals according to Sunna. These can be verified with any site that details the Hajj rituals. I felt you must see them because I know that many of you thought that the stoning is a mere throw of seven pebbles.

From this detailed step by step of the stoning, I hope you will note two prime matters:

FIRST: The stoning ritual is NOT a minor detail. It consumes 2-3 or even 4 days of the Hajj, it envolves numerous travel and is the longest time consuming ritual of Hajj

If you note that the only command and purpose of the whole Hajj is to commemorate God alone (2:198, 2:203, 2:200, 22:27-28), it becomes apparent how Satan has tricked the millions into consuming a large chunk of their hajj time (3-4 days) in collecting and throwing pebbles at imaginary posts, while being pre-occupied with Satan!!!

SECOND: I hope you realise how the whole act is taken from the Sunna, I can only hope this will alarm you and make you realise what source you are following and how all this is Un-Quranic.

The only authorisation for the stoning ritual can only be found in the books of hadith and NOWHERE else !

For the full Quranic details of the Hajj please visit:

http://www.quran-islam.org/168.html

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