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المزدلفة
مزدلفة is an open plain between عرفة and منى where الحج الحجاج spend the night of the 9th ذو الحجة after departing عرفة at sunset. Pilgrims combine Maghrib and Isha الصلوات, rest under the open sky, and collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at الجمرات. Staying at مزدلفة (mabit) is واجب in الحج.
مزدلفة, also known as al-Mash'ar al-Haram (the Sacred Monument), is a flat, open plain stretching approximately 12.25 square kilometers between the Plain of عرفة and the valley of منى. The name 'مزدلفة' is derived from the Arabic root 'zalafa' meaning 'to draw near,' reflecting the spiritual drawing near to Allah that occurs at this sacred site. Another interpretation connects it to 'izdilaf' (gathering together), referring to the gathering of الحجاج on this plain. The القرآن directly references مزدلفة in Surah al-Baqarah (2:198): '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.' This verse establishes the remembrance of Allah at مزدلفة as an integral part of the الحج rites. النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), during his Farewell الحج, departed from عرفة after sunset, arrived at مزدلفة, and combined and delayed his Maghrib and Isha الصلوات there. He then slept until Fajr, prayed the dawn الصلاة, and stood making الدعاء at al-Mash'ar al-Haram until just before sunrise, before departing for منى. In pre-Islamic times, the Quraysh held a practice where they would not proceed to عرفة with the rest of the الحجاج, considering themselves superior as the custodians of the Haram. Instead, they would stop at مزدلفة and wait for the other الحجاج to return. Allah corrected this practice in القرآن (2:199): 'Then depart from where the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah.' During the الحج, النبي followed the command to stand at عرفة with all the الحجاج, abolishing the Qurayshi privilege. Masjid al-Mash'ar al-Haram is a مسجد located within مزدلفة, marking the approximate area where النبي stood for الدعاء. While the مسجد serves as a landmark, the obligation of mabit (overnight stay) can be fulfilled anywhere within مزدلفة's boundaries. The Saudi government has demarcated the boundaries of مزدلفة with clear signage, as spending the night outside the boundaries does not fulfill the الحج requirement. The area has been developed with basic facilities including lighting, water stations, and toilet blocks, though it remains largely an open-air space where الحجاج sleep on the ground under the stars — one of the most memorable experiences of الحج.
مزدلفة represents a crucial transition in the الحج journey — the passage from the intense الدعاء of عرفة to the physical rites of stoning at منى. The overnight stay (mabit) at مزدلفة is واجب عند جمهور العلماء, with the Hanafi and Maliki schools holding that staying for any period between the two الصلوات and Fajr fulfills the obligation, while the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools emphasize staying until after midnight or until Fajr. Omitting it requires a compensatory sacrifice (dam). The experience at مزدلفة strips away all worldly distinctions — الحجاج of every nationality, wealth level, and social status sleep side by side on the bare ground under the same sky. There are no luxury tents or VIP areas; every الحاج shares the same earth. This radical equality embodies the essence of الحج as a great equalizer, where the only distinction is taqwa (God-consciousness). The standing at al-Mash'ar al-Haram before Fajr, making dhikr and الدعاء in the predawn darkness surrounded by millions of fellow believers, is considered one of the most spiritually powerful moments in the entire الحج.
Pilgrims arrive at مزدلفة after sunset on the 9th of ذو الحجة, walking from عرفة in a massive procession. The journey is approximately 9 kilometers and can take several hours due to the sheer number of الحجاج (over 2 million in recent years). Upon arrival, الحجاج combine and delay Maghrib and Isha الصلوات (praying them together at Isha time), which is a سنة specific to this night. The entire plain becomes an open-air campsite as الحجاج lay out mats and blankets to rest. During the stay, الحجاج collect 49-70 small pebbles (approximately the size of chickpeas or date pits) for the stoning of the الجمرات in منى over the coming days. While pebbles can be collected anywhere, including in منى itself, many الحجاج prefer to gather them at مزدلفة. The pebbles do not need to be washed, contrary to popular belief, though doing so is جائز. The majority of scholars hold that staying at مزدلفة until after midnight is واجب, while the elderly, women, and those with genuine difficulty are permitted to leave after midnight. Most الحجاج depart shortly after praying Fajr and making الدعاء, heading to منى for the stoning of الجمرات al-Aqabah. The area has minimal facilities — الحجاج should bring their own mats, blankets, water, and snacks. Toilet facilities are available but can be very crowded. The night at مزدلفة, sleeping under the open sky in the company of millions of fellow believers, is often described by الحجاج as one of the most humbling and spiritually impactful moments of their entire الحج experience.