MUZDALIFA, Saudi Arabia — Having stood on Mount `Arafat in the climax of hajj, nearly three million pilgrims moved Thursday, November 26, to the arid valley of Mina to prepare for the symbolic stoning of the devil. Chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (Here I am answering Your call, O God)," the faithful descended from Mount `Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago.
They moved on foot and in buses and vehicles to the valley of Muzdalifah, a few kilometers away, where they performed shortened Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers.
They will collect pebbles for the symbolic devil stoning.
Early Friday, November 27, pilgrims will move back to Mina and sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on God's order.
This ceremony marks the start of the four-day `Eid Al-Adha, which marks the end of hajj.
Pilgrims will spend another two days in Mina for the stoning of Satan.
Pilgrims hurl seven pebbles from behind a fence or from an overhead bridge every day for three days at each of the three 18-meter (58-foot) high concrete pillars symbolizing the devil.
Satan appeared on the same site to Prophet Abraham, son Isma`il and wife Hagar, who each threw seven stones at the devil.
Saudi Arabia has completed a five-storey hi-tech Jamarat Bridge to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims during the ritual.
The hi-tech bridge has 10 entrances and 12 exits over its four levels to allow the flow of 300,000 pilgrims per hour.
It is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology to help authorities intervene in case of any deadly stampedes.
Climax
The pilgrims spent Thursday on `Arafat supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins and praying for Muslim unity and world peace.
"We are now going to pray to beg for God's forgiveness and mercy, for the good of our children and of all Muslims," said Nasser Abu Ahmed, an Egyptian pilgrim, told Reuters.
Nigerian businessman Mustafa Abu Bakr agrees.
"We will pray for world peace."
Standing on Mount `Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mountain of Mercy), is the climax of hajj.
Pilgrims who fail to make it on time must repeat their hajj in future.
Their ascending comes after spending a day of meditation and introspection in the tent city of Mina, marking the start of hajj, world's largest regular religious gathering.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation for all able-bodied, financially capable Muslims at least once in a lifetime.
Muslims who perform hajj properly return to their homes having all their sins washed way as promised by Prophet Muhammad.
Source: IslamOnline
They moved on foot and in buses and vehicles to the valley of Muzdalifah, a few kilometers away, where they performed shortened Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers.
They will collect pebbles for the symbolic devil stoning.
Early Friday, November 27, pilgrims will move back to Mina and sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on God's order.
This ceremony marks the start of the four-day `Eid Al-Adha, which marks the end of hajj.
Pilgrims will spend another two days in Mina for the stoning of Satan.
Pilgrims hurl seven pebbles from behind a fence or from an overhead bridge every day for three days at each of the three 18-meter (58-foot) high concrete pillars symbolizing the devil.
Satan appeared on the same site to Prophet Abraham, son Isma`il and wife Hagar, who each threw seven stones at the devil.
Saudi Arabia has completed a five-storey hi-tech Jamarat Bridge to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims during the ritual.
The hi-tech bridge has 10 entrances and 12 exits over its four levels to allow the flow of 300,000 pilgrims per hour.
It is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology to help authorities intervene in case of any deadly stampedes.
Climax
The pilgrims spent Thursday on `Arafat supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins and praying for Muslim unity and world peace.
"We are now going to pray to beg for God's forgiveness and mercy, for the good of our children and of all Muslims," said Nasser Abu Ahmed, an Egyptian pilgrim, told Reuters.
Nigerian businessman Mustafa Abu Bakr agrees.
"We will pray for world peace."
Standing on Mount `Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mountain of Mercy), is the climax of hajj.
Pilgrims who fail to make it on time must repeat their hajj in future.
Their ascending comes after spending a day of meditation and introspection in the tent city of Mina, marking the start of hajj, world's largest regular religious gathering.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation for all able-bodied, financially capable Muslims at least once in a lifetime.
Muslims who perform hajj properly return to their homes having all their sins washed way as promised by Prophet Muhammad.
Source: IslamOnline
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