Women at Muzdelife: Night Stay and Pebble Collection

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

Hz. Peygamber Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) granted a specific concession for women and weak individuals to leave Muzdelife after the middle of the night, before the Fajr namaz and the major departure rush. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Sawdah asked Hz. Peygamber for permission to leave Muzdelife before him because she was a heavy woman, and he permitted her (Bukhari and Muslim). This concession exists because the dawn departure from Muzdelife creates an extremely dense crowd movement that can be dangerous, particularly for women, the elderly, and those with mobility limitations. Most Hac groups exercise this concession, departing Muzdelife around midnight or shortly after and proceeding to Mina to begin the stoning ritual at the Cemerat before the main crowds arrive. This is not merely permitted but sunnet for women's safety.

At Muzdelife, hacilar collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at the Cemerat in Mina. 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 Muzdelife, but most hacilar 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 Muzdelife include a namaz mat, warm layer, water bottle, snacks, medication, phone charger, and a small flashlight for navigating the dark open ground.