مزدلفة

After sunset on the Day of عرفة, الحجاج depart for مزدلفة, an open plain between عرفة and منى. The journey, normally 15 minutes by car, can take several hours during الحج due to the massive volume of traffic. Upon arrival, الحجاج combine and delay Maghrib and Isha الصلوات (praying Maghrib as three rakaat and Isha as two rakaat together at the time of Isha). The night is spent under the open sky — مزدلفة has minimal tent structures compared to منى, and most الحجاج sleep on the ground or on mats. This experience of sleeping under the stars in the open desert, equal in simplicity regardless of worldly status, is one of الحج's most humbling moments. Women should bring a الصلاة mat, warm covering (nights can be cool), and a small pillow for comfort.

النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) granted a specific concession for women and weak individuals to leave مزدلفة after the middle of the night, before the Fajr الصلاة and the major departure rush. Aisha (رضي الله عن her) narrated that Sawdah asked النبي for permission to leave مزدلفة before him because she was a heavy woman, and he permitted her (Bukhari and Muslim). This concession exists because the dawn departure from مزدلفة creates an extremely dense crowd movement that can be dangerous, particularly for women, the elderly, and those with mobility limitations. Most الحج groups exercise this concession, departing مزدلفة around midnight or shortly after and proceeding to منى to begin the stoning ritual at the الجمرات before the main crowds arrive. This is not merely permitted but مستحب for women's safety.

At مزدلفة, الحجاج collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at the الجمرات in منى. You will need at least 49 pebbles (7 per day for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of ذو الحجة), or 70 if staying for the 13th. Collect slightly more than needed as some may be lost during throwing. Pebbles should be roughly the size of a chickpea or date seed. They can actually be collected anywhere in the Haram area, not exclusively at مزدلفة, but most الحجاج collect them here by tradition. For women departing early, collect your pebbles before sleeping or immediately upon arrival while there is still light. Store them in a small bag. Practical essentials for مزدلفة include a الصلاة mat, warm layer, water bottle, snacks, الأدوية, phone charger, and a small flashlight for navigating the dark open ground.