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المزدلفة
মুযদালিফা is an open plain between আরাফাত and মিনা where হজ্জ হাজীগণ spend the night of the 9th Dhul Hijjah after departing আরাফাত at sunset. Pilgrims combine Maghrib and Isha সালাতs, rest under the open sky, and collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at জামারাত. Staying at মুযদালিফা (mabit) is wajib in হজ্জ.
মুযদালিফা, 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 আরাফাত and the valley of মিনা. The name 'মুযদালিফা' 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 হাজীগণ on this plain. The কুরআন directly references মুযদালিফা in Surah al-Baqarah (2:198): 'But when you depart from আরাফাত, 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 মুযদালিফা as an integral part of the হজ্জ rites. নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম), during his Farewell হজ্জ, departed from আরাফাত after sunset, arrived at মুযদালিফা, and combined and delayed his Maghrib and Isha সালাতs there. He then slept until Fajr, prayed the dawn সালাত, and stood making দোয়া at al-Mash'ar al-Haram until just before sunrise, before departing for মিনা. In pre-Islamic times, the Quraysh held a practice where they would not proceed to আরাফাত with the rest of the হাজীগণ, considering themselves superior as the custodians of the Haram. Instead, they would stop at মুযদালিফা and wait for the other হাজীগণ to return. Allah corrected this practice in আল-কুরআন (2:199): 'Then depart from where the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah.' During the হজ্জ, নবী করীম followed the command to stand at আরাফাত with all the হাজীগণ, abolishing the Qurayshi privilege. Masjid al-Mash'ar al-Haram is a মসজিদ located within মুযদালিফা, marking the approximate area where নবী করীম stood for দোয়া. While the মসজিদ serves as a landmark, the obligation of mabit (overnight stay) can be fulfilled anywhere within মুযদালিফা's boundaries. The Saudi government has demarcated the boundaries of মুযদালিফা with clear signage, as spending the night outside the boundaries does not fulfill the হজ্জ 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 হাজীগণ sleep on the ground under the stars — one of the most memorable experiences of হজ্জ.
মুযদালিফা represents a crucial transition in the হজ্জ journey — the passage from the intense দোয়া of আরাফাত to the physical rites of stoning at মিনা. The overnight stay (mabit) at মুযদালিফা is wajib জমহুর উলামাদের মতে, with the Hanafi and Maliki schools holding that staying for any period between the two সালাতs 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 মুযদালিফা strips away all worldly distinctions — হাজীগণ 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 হাজী shares the same earth. This radical equality embodies the essence of হজ্জ 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 দোয়া in the predawn darkness surrounded by millions of fellow believers, is considered one of the most spiritually powerful moments in the entire হজ্জ.
Pilgrims arrive at মুযদালিফা after sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, walking from আরাফাত in a massive procession. The journey is approximately 9 kilometers and can take several hours due to the sheer number of হাজীগণ (over 2 million in recent years). Upon arrival, হাজীগণ combine and delay Maghrib and Isha সালাতs (praying them together at Isha time), which is a sunnah specific to this night. The entire plain becomes an open-air campsite as হাজীগণ lay out mats and blankets to rest. During the stay, হাজীগণ collect 49-70 small pebbles (approximately the size of chickpeas or date pits) for the stoning of the জামারাত in মিনা over the coming days. While pebbles can be collected anywhere, including in মিনা itself, many হাজীগণ prefer to gather them at মুযদালিফা. The pebbles do not need to be washed, contrary to popular belief, though doing so is permissible. The majority of scholars hold that staying at মুযদালিফা until after midnight is wajib, while the elderly, women, and those with genuine difficulty are permitted to leave after midnight. Most হাজীগণ depart shortly after praying Fajr and making দোয়া, heading to মিনা for the stoning of জামারাত al-Aqabah. The area has minimal facilities — হাজীগণ should bring their own mats, blankets, water, and snacks. Toilet facilities are available but can be very crowded. The night at মুযদালিফা, sleeping under the open sky in the company of millions of fellow believers, is often described by হাজীগণ as one of the most humbling and spiritually impactful moments of their entire হজ্জ experience.