Muzdalifah

What Does Muzdalifah Mean in Detail?

After sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafat), pilgrims depart Arafat and travel approximately 9 kilometers to the open plain of Muzdalifah, also known as al-Mash'ar al-Haram (the Sacred Monument), as mentioned in the Quran: 'When you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mash'ar al-Haram' (2:198). Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, pilgrims combine and shorten Maghrib (3 rak'ahs) and Isha (shortened to 2 rak'ahs) prayers, following the Sunnah of the Prophet. They then spend the night under the open sky — there are no tents or structures, making it one of the most egalitarian experiences of Hajj. During the night, pilgrims collect 49 or 70 pebbles (depending on whether they plan Nafr Awwal or Nafr Thani) for stoning the Jamarat in the coming days, though pebbles may be collected from anywhere in the Haram. The Wajib component is the overnight stay (Mabit), with the minimum requirement being presence at Muzdalifah during the second half of the night or at Fajr time. Concessions allow the elderly, sick, and women with small children to depart after midnight. After praying Fajr, pilgrims make dua facing the Qiblah until shortly before sunrise, then proceed to Mina.