The correct answer is 11th Zulhajj. The 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah marks a pivotal transition in the Hajj pilgrimage. It is the first of the three days known as Ayyam-e-Tashreeq. While the initial stoning of the largest pillar (Jamrah al-Aqaba)... Read More
The correct answer is 11th Zulhajj. The 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah marks a pivotal transition in the Hajj pilgrimage. It is the first of the three days known as Ayyam-e-Tashreeq. While the initial stoning of the largest pillar (Jamrah al-Aqaba) occurs on the 10th, the 11th is the day when the ritual expands to include all three pillars—the Small (Sughra), Middle (Wusta), and Large (Aqaba)—for the first time. This day signifies the deep spiritual commitment of the pilgrims as they reside in the tent city of Mina, dedicating their time to the remembrance of Allah and the symbolic rejection of evil.
The ritual of stoning, or Rami, is a direct re-enactment of the trials faced by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). According to historical Islamic accounts, when Ibrahim (A.S) was traveling to fulfill the sacrifice of his son, Ismail (A.S), the devil (Iblees) appeared at three different locations to tempt him into disobedience. At each spot, Ibrahim (A.S) demonstrated his unwavering faith by throwing seven pebbles at the apparition to drive it away.
By performing this act on the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of pilgrims honor the resilience of Ibrahim (A.S). It is not merely a physical act of throwing stones at a concrete pillar; it is a psychological and spiritual exercise. It represents the believer’s inner struggle against the "Nafs" (the ego) and the external temptations that divert a person from the path of righteousness.
On the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the timing for stoning typically begins after the sun passes its meridian (Zawal). Pilgrims carry pebbles they collected during their stay at Muzdalifah or from the grounds of Mina. The order of the ritual is strictly observed following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).
The process begins at the Jamrah al-Sughra (the small pillar), which is the furthest from Makkah. The pilgrim throws seven pebbles, one by one, while reciting "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest) with each throw. After the first pillar, it is a Sunnah to stand for a moment, face the Qibla, and make a lengthy personal supplication. This process is then repeated at the Jamrah al-Wusta (middle pillar). Finally, the pilgrim moves to the Jamrah al-Aqaba (large pillar) to throw the final seven stones. Unlike the first two, it is customary not to stand for supplication after the final pillar, but rather to move on, following the historical example set during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
The 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah is also a day of community. After the morning prayers, the valley of Mina becomes a sea of white as pilgrims from every corner of the globe interact, share meals, and engage in collective worship. Historically, these days were used to dry the meat from the sacrifices made on the 10th (hence the name Tashreeq), ensuring that nothing was wasted.
Today, while modern technology and refrigeration have changed the physical landscape, the spiritual atmosphere of the 11th remains one of intense reflection. The act of staying in Mina for these three nights is a "Wajib" (obligatory) act for those physically able, reinforcing the idea that the Hajj is a journey of endurance and patience. By the time the sun sets on the 11th, the pilgrim has collectively cast 21 stones, each one acting as a symbolic barrier between the believer and the whispers of the devil.
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