مزدلفہ

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

نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) granted a specific concession for women and weak individuals to leave مزدلفہ after the middle of the night, before the Fajr نماز and the major departure rush. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Sawdah asked نبی کریم for permission to leave مزدلفہ before him because she was a heavy woman, and he permitted her (Bukhari and Muslim). This concession exists because the dawn departure from مزدلفہ creates an extremely dense crowd movement that can be dangerous, particularly for women, the elderly, and those with mobility limitations. Most حج groups exercise this concession, departing مزدلفہ around midnight or shortly after and proceeding to منیٰ to begin the stoning ritual at the جمرات before the main crowds arrive. This is not merely permitted but مستحب for women's safety.

At مزدلفہ, حجاج collect pebbles for the stoning ritual at the جمرات in منیٰ. 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 مزدلفہ, but most حجاج 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 مزدلفہ include a نماز mat, warm layer, water bottle, snacks, medication, phone charger, and a small flashlight for navigating the dark open ground.