মুযদালিফা

After sunset on the Day of আরাফাত, হাজীগণ depart for মুযদালিফা, an open plain between আরাফাত and মিনা. The journey, normally 15 minutes by car, can take several hours during হজ্জ due to the massive volume of traffic. Upon arrival, হাজীগণ combine and delay Maghrib and Isha সালাতs (praying Maghrib as three rakaat and Isha as two rakaat together at the time of Isha). The night is spent under the open sky — মুযদালিফা has minimal tent structures compared to মিনা, and most হাজীগণ 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 হজ্জ's most humbling moments. Women should bring a সালাত mat, warm covering (nights can be cool), and a small pillow for comfort.

নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) granted a specific concession for women and weak individuals to leave মুযদালিফা after the middle of the night, before the Fajr সালাত and the major departure rush. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Sawdah asked নবী করীম for permission to leave মুযদালিফা before him because she was a heavy woman, and he permitted her (Bukhari and Muslim). This concession exists because the dawn departure from মুযদালিফা creates an extremely dense crowd movement that can be dangerous, particularly for women, the elderly, and those with mobility limitations. Most হজ্জ groups exercise this concession, departing মুযদালিফা around midnight or shortly after and proceeding to মিনা to begin the stoning ritual at the জামারাত before the main crowds arrive. This is not merely permitted but মুস্তাহাব for women's safety.

At মুযদালিফা, হাজীগণ collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at the জামারাত in মিনা. You will need at least 49 pebbles (7 per day for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah), 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 মুযদালিফা, but most হাজীগণ 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 মুযদালিফা include a সালাত mat, warm layer, water bottle, snacks, medication, phone charger, and a small flashlight for navigating the dark open ground.