منى — مزدلفة

مزدلفة is an open plain located between Arafah and منى, approximately 8-9 kilometers from each. After the sun sets on the Day of Arafah, الحجاج depart for مزدلفة. Due to the massive number of people moving simultaneously, the journey — which should take 20-30 minutes — often takes 2-6 hours. Upon arrival, the immediate obligation is to pray Maghrib and Isha combined and shortened (Maghrib three ركعةs, Isha two ركعةs), with one adhan and two iqamahs. Delaying this الصلاة until reaching مزدلفة is the سنة, even if it means praying Maghrib well after its normal time has passed.

At مزدلفة, الحجاج collect the small pebbles (approximately chickpea-sized) they will use for the stoning of the الجمرات over the following days. The minimum needed is 49 pebbles (7 for the 10th, 21 each for the 11th and 12th), though many scholars recommend collecting 70 to have extras. The overnight stay at مزدلفة is considered واجب (واجب) by most scholars, though the exemption for elderly, ill, and weak الحجاج (and their companions) to depart after midnight is well-أُسس. For others, the سنة is to spend the night, pray Fajr at its earliest time, then stand at al-Mash'ar al-Haram making دعاء until the sky brightens, before departing for منى.

مزدلفة is specifically mentioned in القرآن: 'But when you depart from عرفة, remember Allah at al-Mash'ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray' (2:198). Al-Mash'ar al-Haram (the Sacred Monument) is identified with a specific area within مزدلفة, though النبي clarified that all of مزدلفة is a valid stopping place. The القرآنic instruction to 'remember Allah' at مزدلفة underscores that this is a site of worship, not merely a transit point between Arafah and منى.

مزدلفة offers a unique spiritual experience within the الحج journey. After the emotional intensity of Arafah, the الحاج arrives at a barren plain with no facilities, no comfort, and no shelter. Sleeping on the bare ground under the stars alongside millions of others creates a profound sense of radical simplicity and equality. There are no walls, no rooms, no beds — just the earth and the sky. Many الحجاج describe this night as one of the most memorable of their entire الحج, not despite the discomfort but because of it. The simplicity strips away the last remnants of worldly attachment and prepares the heart for the intense ritual activity of the 10th of ذو الحجة.