Muzdalifah is an open area located between Arafat and near Makkah, where Hajj pilgrims spend the night after the day of Arafah. It is a muzdalifah holy site, a scared station where worshippers perform Maghrib and Ishah prayers together, rest under the night under the open sky, and collect pebbles for the ritual stoning at the Jamarat. The name Muzdalifah is derived from the Arabic root “zalafa,” meaning to come closer to the approach, symbolizing the pilgrims’ nearness to Allah after Arafat. It is also known as al-Mash’ar al-Haram, a site central in the hajj rituals and remembered since pre-Islamic times.
Muzdalifah: Night of Prayer and Preparation for Mina
Every year, millions of Muslims from across the world gather for Hajj and Umrah, retracing the sacred footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Among the most profound on this journey is Muzdalifah, an open area located southeast of Mina close to Makkah in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia. This valley, mentioned in the Quran as Muzdalifah called Al-Mash’ar Al-Haram, becomes a gathering point where Muslims spend the night in Muzdalifah in devotion, simplicity, and remembrance. Historically, the Quraysh in pre-Islamic times also recognized this sacred place.
From Arafat to Muzdalifah
On the 9th Dhul Hijjah, after completing wuquf at Arafat, pilgrims depart from Arafat at sunset and make their way toward Muzdalifah. The journey itself is symbolic: moving from forgiveness at Arafat to preparation for Min’a. This route, known as the way to Muzdalifah, reflects continuity in worship. Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, the first act is to perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers, combined and shortened, as the Isha prayer is offered in congregation.
This is a moment of unity, millions together under the desert sky, clothed in ihram, lifting their hands to remember Allah. The Islamic spirit of brotherhood is evident as people from every culture, speaking countless languages including Arabic, stand shoulder to shoulder.
The Rituals for the Night at Muzdalifah Site
Stay at Muzdalifah is considered Wajib (obligatory), though allowances exist for the elderly, women, and those who face difficulty. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself stayed the night here, teaching the importance of trust and patience, a practice of the Prophet. Pilgrims often describe this place at Muzdalifah as both physically demanding and spiritually uplifting.
The central ritual at Muzdalifah is to gather pebbles. These small stones, around 49 to 70 in total, are later used for the ramy al-jamarat, the stoning of the devil during the three days of Hajj. Each stone at Muzdalifah carries a deep symbolism, a rejection of temptation, arrogance, and disobedience. The act of collecting stones at Muzdalifah in the silence of the night under the open sky transforms a simple stone into a tool of devotion. This sacred place at Muzdalifah also has a mosque in Muzdalifah, and the boundaries of Muzdalifah are indicated by large markers.
Departure for Min’a
After offering Fajr prayer on the morning of the tenth, pilgrims leave Muzdalifah and prepare to depart one more time. This time, they head towards Min’a to carry out the stoning ritual. The movements of the crowds are carefully organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure safety. For many, the walk itself is a chance to continue reflecting and to strengthen the resolve to complete the rites of Hajj.
From Mina, pilgrims proceed with sacrifices, hair trimming or shaving, and eventually return to Masjid al-Haram in Makkah for tawaf al-wadaa, the farewell circumambulation. The journey from Arafah to Muzdalifah, then Mina, demonstrates the flow of Hajj: forgiveness, preparation, and submission. It also recalls the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, linking modern Hajj pilgrims to traditions that began in times before Islam but were purified by Islam.
Lesson from Muzdalifah
The experience at Muzdalifah offers lessons that stay with a pilgrim long after Hajj ends.
- Equality: Everyone sleeps on bare ground in an open area located under the stars, equal before Allah.
- Patience: Collecting pebbles and waiting through the night develops resilience.
- Faith: Resting in the muzdalifah holy site, whispering du‘a, reinforces reliance on Allah and facing the qibla in worship.
Conclusion
Muzdalifah may be just a single stop on the Hajj journey, but it carries timeless meaning. It is where pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah to pray, rest, and prepare for Mina. It is where they gather pebbles that will be cast at the Jamarat, rejecting the devil’s whispers. And it is where millions, under the same stars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, join in unity to remember Allah, fulfilling the sunnah of the Prophet on this sacred path of Hajj.
