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