Mohsin Aziz

After dinner, we left for Mina. Today, isha was prayed at Mina Camp. Most of the fellow pilgrims were making plans for the next day. Their topic of discussion was Tawaf al-Ifadah. I was tired but relaxed. Thankfully, I had already done it. Everybody was so happy at the camp. Arafat, Muzdalifa, and even Jamarat al Aqaba were done. Only two more days at the Mina Camp and Hajj would be complete.

The next day, early morning, after Fajr, we went to the hotel. It felt so good to be back at the hotel as I could take a shower peacefully and adjust the room temperature. After breakfast, we had ample time at our disposal. We were told that the group would go to the Jamarat after Zuhr prayer. We were asked to pray in the hotel prayer room itself. Our hotel was in Hudood e Haram. After Zuhr, we had a quick lunch. Immediately after Zuhr, we all assembled in the hotel lobby. The bus was ready. Our bus as usual was bus number 2.

Today was 11th Dhul Hijjah (7 June), the first day of Ayyam Tashreeq. 11th, 12th, and 13th are called Ayyam Tashreeq. These three days, the stoning is done from the time when the sun reaches its zenith (Zuhr) till sunset (Maghrib). The term Ayyam Tashreeq means the days of Tashreeq. The word “Tashreeq” has its roots in the pre electricity era when refrigerators were not available to store the meat of sacrificial animals. Tashreeq was the old practice of drying meat in sunlight for three days so that it could be preserved and used for a longer period of time. Ayyam Tashreeq thus means days of drying the meat. These appointed days have been mentioned by Allah in the Quran:

And remember Allah during the appointed days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him (Al Quran, Surah Al Baqarah:203).

These days are marked for celebrations, festivity, and prayers.

And the budn (cow, oxens, or camels driven to offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary at Makkah). We have made for you as Among the symbols of Allah, Therein you have much good. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men).  Thus, have we made them subject to you that you may be grateful (Al Quran, Surah Al Hajj:36).

This Quranic verse makes it clear that every pilgrim has to individually sacrifice an animal. For those pilgrims who don’t have the monetary means to sacrifice animals, there is expiation. Thus expiation is not in money. It’s fasting. Pilgrims have to fast three days in Makkah and further seven days when they go back to their homes. A total of ten days of fasting replaces the sacrifice of animals.

It was a common practice amongst Arab during Jahiliyya to smear the blood and meat of the sacrificed animal on Kaba. It was believed that they are offering the sacrifice in thus wat. This practice was stopped by Allah. The Quran declared that:

‘It  neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus, have we made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His guidance to you. And glad tidings (O Mohammad  SAW to the Muhsinun (doers of good)’ (Al Quran, Surah Al Hajj:37).

It is true that Allah does not need the meat. It is the purity of our intention that is important. It has today sadly become a topic of boasting as to how many animals one person has sacrificed. In fact, even the price of animals has become a status symbol in many societies. Animals are bought at a very high price just to show off. This practice has nothing to do with Islam. We as a society need to introspect and change course.

By the time we reached Jamarat, it was a bit late. No carts were available. We had to climb up the slope. It was hot, but thankfully, it was not humid. We brought our spare bottle full of zamzam water. Pilgrims were spraying water on each other to cool them down. There were quite a few tapson the way up where cold drinking water was available. Most of us not only quenched our thirst but also filled our empty spray bottles.

Today, we had to stone all the three Jamarat. The procedure is to take 7 pebbles and throw them one by one first on Jamarat Al Sughra. Before throw one has to recite Takbeer (Allahu Akbar i.e. Allah is Great). After completing the set of seven pebbles is the time for dua. Pilgrims stand on one side facing Kaba and make supplications. Once it’s done, Pilgrims move to the second Jamarat (Janaratt al Wusta) and repeat the procedure. Lastly, the procedure is repeated at the last and the biggest Jamarat (Jamarat al-Aqaba). 

By the time we finished the three Jamarat, it was close to maghrib time. We all assembled near the Asif bhais flag. As a group, we moved to the bus. Just after Maghrib time, we were back to the hotel, relive that one more days rituals are done. 

Back to the hotel, the first task was to pray maghrib, which we prayed in the hotel prayer room. After maghrib we took our dinner. Today the dinner was very good with a lot of choice. Jamal bhai had arranged a huge cake and qahwa for the whole group. It was a nice gesture from him to the pilgrims. We truly felt cared for, though I did not eat the cake. By the time dinner was done, it was Isha time. Isha was also prayed in the hotel.

By the time we left the hotel for the Mina Camp, it was 10.15 p.m. We reached the camp at around 11 p.m. as today we found some traffic on the way. Back at the camp, people got engaged in supplications and supplementary prayers. I was too tired for anything. I made up my sofa bed and went to sleep.

(To becontinued in Part 14)

References:

Al Quran. Interpretations of the meaning of THE NOBLE QURAN in the English language. Muhsin Khan. Darussalam Publications, 2011.