MAKKAH: The culmination of Hajj 1444 was marked by the completion of three days of Rami Al-Jamarat, the Stoning of the Devil, at the Jamarat complex in Mina. Pilgrims bid farewell to Makkah by returning to the Grand Mosque and performing the farewell Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’aba, as the annual pilgrimage came to a close.
Following the farewell Tawaf, the majority of pilgrims will now depart from Makkah. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques had made necessary preparations to receive pilgrims for the final circumambulation, and an influx of worshippers from Mina entered the Grand Mosque.
After their stay in Makkah, a significant number of pilgrims will proceed to Madinah to offer prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque and visit Islamic landmarks.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory for every physically and financially capable Muslim to perform once in their lifetime. This year, approximately 2 million Muslims from around the world traveled to the holy city of Makkah for the sacred pilgrimage.
Hajj Pilgrimage Spans Five Days
The Hajj pilgrimage spans five days, officially commencing on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah with the Fajr prayers performed in Makkah. Pilgrims then proceed to the tent city of Mina, located about 8 km away.
In Mina, pilgrims spend the day and night engaged in prayers, reciting verses from the Qur’an, and praising the Almighty. They subsequently proceed to Arafat and then to Muzdalifah.
At Arafat, pilgrims stay in the desert plains, devoting themselves to prayers and repentance until after sunset. They then move to Muzdalifah, a valley situated between Mina and Mount Arafat, where they spend the night under the open sky.
During their time in Muzdalifah, pilgrims collect small pebbles for the special ritual known as Rami Al-Jamarat or Stoning the Devil, which takes place the following day at Jamarat.
The completion of the farewell Tawaf signifies the conclusion of Hajj 1444, an immensely significant and spiritually enriching journey for millions of Muslims from across the globe.
