মিনা

মিনা is a narrow valley located approximately 8 kilometers east of মসজিদুল হারাম, between মক্কা মুকাররমা and Arafah. It has been used as a হজ্জ campsite since the time of নবী করীম. The modern মিনা is the world's largest tent city, with over 100,000 fire-resistant, air-conditioned tents organized by country, operator, and group. The tents are permanent structures that remain erected year-round but are only occupied during the হজ্জ days. The valley stretches approximately 4 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width, with the জামারাত complex located at its western end. Major roads and tunnels connect মিনা to মক্কা মুকাররমা, Arafah, and মুযদালিফা.

Pilgrims spend several nights in মিনা during হজ্জ. The 8th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah) is spent settling in, praying the five daily সালাতs (shortened but not combined according to most scholars), and preparing for Arafah. After Arafah and মুযদালিফা, হাজীগণ return to মিনা on the 10th to perform the stoning and remain through the 11th and 12th (the Days of Tashriq). Each day, after Dhuhr, হাজীগণ go to the জামারাত complex to stone the three pillars. The 10th is the busiest day — stoning, sacrifice, shaving, and traveling to মক্কা মুকাররমা for তাওয়াফ. The 11th and 12th are relatively calm, spent in worship, rest, and daily stoning. Pilgrims may leave on the 12th before sunset or stay for the 13th.

The quality of tent accommodation varies by package level but has improved dramatically in recent decades. Modern tents are air-conditioned, carpeted, and equipped with basic facilities. Premium camps offer private partitions, better mattresses, and improved meal service. Economy camps provide shared open spaces with thin mattresses. Communal bathrooms serve each block of tents. Meals are typically provided by the হজ্জ operator. The atmosphere in the tent camps is unique — হাজীগণ from diverse backgrounds sharing close quarters, praying together, eating together, and supporting each other through the physical and spiritual intensity of হজ্জ. Many lifelong friendships are formed in the tents of মিনা.

মিনা holds historical significance as the location where Ibrahim encountered Shaytan three times while walking with Ismail toward the place of sacrifice. At each encounter, Ibrahim threw stones at Shaytan to drive him away — these three locations are now the sites of the three জামারাত pillars. The কুরআন refers to the Days of Tashriq spent in মিনা: 'And remember Allah during the appointed days' (2:203). নবী করীম emphasized the importance of the days in মিনা, saying about the Days of Tashriq that they are 'days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of Allah' (Muslim). The combination of worship, community, and the ritual of stoning makes মিনা central to the transformative হজ্জ experience.