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