By: Imran Ayoob Lahori
It is recommended (Mustahabb) to stand close to Jabal al-Rahmah after praying Zuhr and Asr, and to make abundant supplications. However, anywhere within the plain of Arafah is valid for Wuquf.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
وعرفة كلها موقف
“All of Arafah is a place for standing.”
References: [Muslim: 1218; Abu Dawood: 1936–1937; Ibn Majah: 3048; Sharh al-Sunnah: 1926]
As narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه), after sunset the Prophet ﷺ departed from Arafah to Muzdalifah, where he:
فصلى بها المغرب والعشاء بأذان واحد وإقامتين ولم يسبح بينهما شيئا ثم اضطجع حتى طلع الفجر
“Prayed Maghrib and Isha with one Adhan and two Iqamahs, did not pray anything between them, then lay down until Fajr.”
Reference: [Muslim: 1218]
After Fajr, one should proceed to al-Mash’ar al-Haram, remembering Allah until just before sunrise.
Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ
“Remember Allah at al-Mash’ar al-Haram.”
Reference: [Al-Baqarah: 198]
‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) said that the Quraysh in Jahiliyyah would wait until sunrise, calling out to Mount Thabir. The Prophet ﷺ opposed this practice and departed before sunrise.
Reference: [Bukhari: 684; Abu Dawood: 1938; Tirmidhi: 896; Nasai: 5/265]
Note: Weak, elderly, sick, children, and women are allowed to leave Muzdalifah earlier at night.
This valley is between Mina and Muzdalifah and is neither part of Mina nor Muzdalifah. It is where Allah destroyed the army of Abraha’s elephants. The Prophet ﷺ passed through quickly.
Reference: [Sahih Tirmidhi: 703; Ibn Majah: 4023]
Upon reaching Mina, proceed to Jamarah al-‘Aqabah (near the tree), and throw seven small pebbles (about the size of chickpeas) one by one, saying Allahu Akbar with each throw.
The Prophet ﷺ commanded:
امرهم أن يرموا بمثل حصى الخذف
“He instructed them to throw small pebbles like those used in pebble-throwing.”
Reference: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1713]
Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
لا ترموا الجمرة حتى تطلع الشمس — “Do not stone the Jamarah until the sun rises.”
Reference: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1710]
Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) narrated that they would stone at night in the Prophet’s time.
References: [Bukhari: 1679; Muslim: 1297]
Preferred Opinion: Majority say stoning before Fajr is not allowed except for those with a valid excuse.
On 11th, 12th, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah, stoning is done from after Zawal until Maghrib. Jabir (رضي الله عنه) said:
“The Prophet ﷺ stoned Jamarah al-‘Aqabah on the Day of Nahr in the forenoon, and on the days after that, he stoned after the sun had passed its zenith.”
References: [Muslim: 1218; Nasai: 5/236]
Where to Stand at Arafah
It is recommended (Mustahabb) to stand close to Jabal al-Rahmah after praying Zuhr and Asr, and to make abundant supplications. However, anywhere within the plain of Arafah is valid for Wuquf.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
وعرفة كلها موقف
“All of Arafah is a place for standing.”
References: [Muslim: 1218; Abu Dawood: 1936–1937; Ibn Majah: 3048; Sharh al-Sunnah: 1926]
From Arafah to Muzdalifah
As narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه), after sunset the Prophet ﷺ departed from Arafah to Muzdalifah, where he:
فصلى بها المغرب والعشاء بأذان واحد وإقامتين ولم يسبح بينهما شيئا ثم اضطجع حتى طلع الفجر
“Prayed Maghrib and Isha with one Adhan and two Iqamahs, did not pray anything between them, then lay down until Fajr.”
Reference: [Muslim: 1218]
Staying at al-Mash’ar al-Haram
After Fajr, one should proceed to al-Mash’ar al-Haram, remembering Allah until just before sunrise.
Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ
“Remember Allah at al-Mash’ar al-Haram.”
Reference: [Al-Baqarah: 198]
Leaving Muzdalifah Before Sunrise
‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) said that the Quraysh in Jahiliyyah would wait until sunrise, calling out to Mount Thabir. The Prophet ﷺ opposed this practice and departed before sunrise.
Reference: [Bukhari: 684; Abu Dawood: 1938; Tirmidhi: 896; Nasai: 5/265]
Note: Weak, elderly, sick, children, and women are allowed to leave Muzdalifah earlier at night.
- Example: Sawdah (رضي الله عنها) sought the Prophet’s permission to leave early because of her slow walking, and he allowed it.
References: [Bukhari: 1680; Muslim: 1290] - Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) also said he was sent with the Prophet’s household early at night.
Reference: [Bukhari: 1678; Muslim: 1293]
Passing Wadi Muhassir Quickly
This valley is between Mina and Muzdalifah and is neither part of Mina nor Muzdalifah. It is where Allah destroyed the army of Abraha’s elephants. The Prophet ﷺ passed through quickly.
Reference: [Sahih Tirmidhi: 703; Ibn Majah: 4023]
Stoning Jamarah al-‘Aqabah
Upon reaching Mina, proceed to Jamarah al-‘Aqabah (near the tree), and throw seven small pebbles (about the size of chickpeas) one by one, saying Allahu Akbar with each throw.
The Prophet ﷺ commanded:
امرهم أن يرموا بمثل حصى الخذف
“He instructed them to throw small pebbles like those used in pebble-throwing.”
Reference: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1713]
Timing for Stoning
- Normal rule: Only after sunrise on the Day of Nahr.
- Exception: Women, children, and the weak may stone earlier at night.
Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
لا ترموا الجمرة حتى تطلع الشمس — “Do not stone the Jamarah until the sun rises.”
Reference: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1710]
Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) narrated that they would stone at night in the Prophet’s time.
References: [Bukhari: 1679; Muslim: 1297]
Preferred Opinion: Majority say stoning before Fajr is not allowed except for those with a valid excuse.
Ramy During Ayam al-Tashreeq
On 11th, 12th, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah, stoning is done from after Zawal until Maghrib. Jabir (رضي الله عنه) said:
“The Prophet ﷺ stoned Jamarah al-‘Aqabah on the Day of Nahr in the forenoon, and on the days after that, he stoned after the sun had passed its zenith.”
References: [Muslim: 1218; Nasai: 5/236]
