Discover the meaning behind why Muslims throw stones during Hajj and the spiritual lessons of Rami al-Jamarat.
Introduction
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and a sacred duty for every Muslim. It is a spiritual journey that purifies the heart and strengthens faith. Among its rituals, Rami al-Jamarat, or the act of throwing stones, holds deep symbolic meaning.
During this ritual, pilgrims throw small pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina. It reminds Muslims of the struggle against evil and the importance of obedience to Allah. But many wonder why do Muslims throw stones during Hajj?
The answer reveals powerful lessons about patience, faith, and resistance against temptation. Understanding Rami al-Jamarat helps believers connect deeply with the purpose of Hajj and the message it carries.
Rami al-Jamarat Meaning: Why Muslims Throw Stones During Hajj
Rami al-Jamarat is one of the key rituals performed during Hajj. It takes place in Mina, a sacred valley near Makkah, where millions of pilgrims gather to complete this important act of worship. The word “Rami” means “throwing,” and “Jamarat” refers to the stone pillars that represent the places where Satan tried to tempt Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
During this ritual, pilgrims throw small pebbles at three stone pillars known as Jamarat al-Sughra (the small pillar), Jamarat al-Wusta (the middle pillar), and Jamarat al-Kubra (the large pillar). Each throw symbolizes rejecting evil and disobedience to Allah. Pilgrims perform this act with strong faith, repeating the words “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” with each stone they throw.
The ritual of Rami al-Jamarat usually begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the day of Eid al-Adha, and continues for the next two or three days. It is a moment filled with emotion and devotion, as pilgrims remember Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah and his resistance against Satan’s temptation.
Though the act may look simple, it carries deep spiritual meaning. It reminds every Muslim to stand firm against temptation, reject sin, and stay strong in faith just as Prophet Ibrahim did. The stones are not thrown at actual devils but at symbolic pillars, representing the believer’s inner struggle against wrong and evil desires.
By completing this ritual, Muslims renew their commitment to live a pure life and follow Allah’s commands with sincerity and courage.
The Historical Background of Stone Throwing
The ritual of stoning during Hajj has a deep and powerful history. It dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him. During his journey of faith, Allah tested him in many ways to show his obedience and trust.
According to Islamic tradition, when Prophet Ibrahim was on his way to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as commanded by Allah, Satan appeared to distract and stop him. However, Prophet Ibrahim remained strong. He refused to listen to Satan’s whispers.
At three different places in Mina, Satan tried again and again to convince Ibrahim to disobey Allah. Each time, Ibrahim picked up small stones and threw them at Satan to drive him away. These three spots later became the sites of the three Jamarat pillars where pilgrims throw stones today.
Through this act, Prophet Ibrahim showed complete faith, courage, and submission to Allah. His actions taught Muslims an important lesson: never give in to evil or temptation, no matter how difficult the test.
Today, when Muslims perform Rami al-Jamarat, they are not just throwing pebbles. إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا
“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy.”
(Surah Fatir, 35:6) They are following the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim. They symbolically reject Satan and everything that leads them away from Allah.
This historical event reminds every believer to stay firm in faith. It teaches that the struggle against evil begins within the heart. By performing this ritual, Muslims renew their strength and remind themselves to resist wrong in every part of life.
Step-by-Step Guide: Throwing Stones During Hajj (Rami al-Jamarat)
Muslims begin throwing stones during Hajj on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, which is also Eid al-Adha. On this day, pilgrims throw stones at one pillar only, called Jamarat al-Kubra, the largest one.
The ritual continues on the 11th, 12th, and sometimes 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. During these days, pilgrims throw stones at all three pillars the small, middle, and large Jamarat.
Each pilgrim collects 49 or 70 small pebbles from the ground around Mina. The stones are smooth, small, and easy to hold. On the first day, seven stones are thrown at the large pillar. On the next days, seven stones are thrown at each pillar, one by one.
Every time a stone is thrown, the pilgrim says, “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar,” which means “In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.” This phrase shows strength, faith, and trust in Allah alone.
Pilgrims perform the ritual in an orderly manner. They face the pillar, raise their right hand, and throw one stone at a time. After each throw, they step aside to make space for others.
Each stone thrown has deep spiritual meaning. It represents a believer’s struggle against sin and evil. With every throw, Muslims remind themselves to fight temptation and remain loyal to Allah’s path.
If someone accidentally misses a throw or cannot reach the Jamarat due to health or crowd issues, another person may throw on their behalf. Islam allows this flexibility to ensure safety and ease for everyone during Hajj.
The Spiritual and Symbolic Meaning of Throwing Stones During Hajj
The act of throwing stones during Hajj is not just a physical ritual. It holds deep spiritual meaning and symbolic value for every Muslim who performs it. This moment connects the pilgrim’s heart to the story of faith, patience, and victory over temptation.
The spiritual meaning of stoning in Hajj lies in the believer’s inner fight against evil. Each stone thrown reminds Muslims to reject Satan’s whispering and all forms of wrongdoing. It represents a person’s strong decision to stay close to Allah and avoid sin.
Through this act, Muslims learn that life is a constant test. By throwing stones, they symbolically declare that they will not let Satan control their thoughts, actions, or faith. It is a promise to remain firm and loyal to Allah’s path.
The symbolic meaning of Rami al-Jamarat goes beyond the act of throwing pebbles. The three pillars in Mina stand for the three times Satan tried to mislead Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). By throwing stones, Muslims recreate that powerful moment of victory over temptation.
Each stone symbolizes a believer’s rejection of pride, anger, jealousy, and other bad qualities. It is a spiritual cleansing of the soul. The ritual teaches that faith is stronger than any evil whisper.
Many people ask, “Why do Muslims throw stones in Hajj?” The answer is simple yet deep. Muslims throw stones to show obedience to Allah, just as Prophet Ibrahim did. It is a message of faith, discipline, and total surrender to Allah’s will.
During this ritual, pilgrims remind themselves that Satan’s power is weak compared to the strength of belief. The act of stoning builds confidence, courage, and peace within the heart.
Quranic Ayah About Resisting Satan During Hajj
The Qur’anic ayah about resisting Satan during Hajj beautifully explains the spiritual purpose of throwing stones at the Jamarat. This verse reminds every Muslim that Satan is a constant enemy who must be resisted, not just during Hajj but throughout life.
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا
“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy.”
(Surah Fatir, 35:6) This powerful ayah clearly shows the real reason behind stoning the devil during Hajj. It teaches Muslims to reject every form of temptation and to stay firm in faith.
Moreover, when pilgrims throw each stone, they act on this divine command openly declaring their refusal to follow Satan’s path. In this way, the Rami al-Jamarat ritual becomes a living reflection of this verse, turning belief into powerful action.
Hadith About Throwing Stones During Hajj (Rami al-Jamarat)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the proper way to perform the stoning ritual during Hajj. His instructions guide Muslims to follow the ritual with obedience, devotion, and moderation.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، قَالَ:
“قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: خُذُوا لِي مِنَ الحَجَرِ فَإِنَّهُ بِهِ تَرْمُونَ الجَمَرَاتِ وَاحْذَرُوا الْمُبَالَغَةَ فَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ هَلَكُوا بِسَبَبِ غَلَاوَتِهِمْ فِي الدِّينِ”
(سنن ابن ماجه، حديث رقم 3029)
Translation:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):
“Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sat at the large Jamarah and said: ‘Come and pick up [some pebbles] for me.’ So I picked up pebbles slightly larger than a chickpea. He said: ‘With pebbles like these, stone the Jamarāt… and beware of going to extremes, for those who came before you were destroyed because of their excessiveness in religion.’”
This hadith highlights several key lessons
- Use small pebbles to perform the stoning ritual properly.
- Moderation is essential in worship; avoid extremes.
- Follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when performing Hajj rituals.
Furthermore, this Hadith emphasizes the spiritual and symbolic meaning of Rami al-Jamarat, reminding pilgrims that every stone thrown represents resisting evil and following Allah’s commands.
Common Questions About Stone Throwing During Hajj
During Rami al-Jamarat, every pilgrim throws seven pebbles at each pillar. On the first day of Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah), pilgrims throw seven stones only at the large Jamarah.
On the following days (11th–12th or 13th Dhul-Hijjah), they throw seven stones at each of the three pillars small, middle, and large.
The main rules of stoning during Hajj include:
Throw stones only at the three Jamarāt pillars.
Use small pebbles, about the size of a chickpea.
Throw one stone at a time, saying “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar”.
Perform the ritual with patience and order, respecting other pilgrims.
Furthermore, Islam emphasizes safety and moderation. Avoid overcrowding and do not throw too many stones at once.
Yes, if a pilgrim cannot reach the Jamarat due to health, age, or crowd, another person can throw stones on their behalf.
Muslims throw stones to reject Satan and temptation. It is a symbolic act following Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, who threw stones at Satan to resist disobedience to Allah.
If a pilgrim misses a throw accidentally, they can still complete the ritual. Another person can throw on their behalf.
Conclusion: Spiritual Meaning of Stoning During Hajj
The ritual of throwing stones during Hajj, known as Rami al-Jamarat, is one of the most meaningful acts of worship in Islam. It is not merely a physical action; it represents a believer’s determination to resist evil, reject temptation, and follow Allah’s guidance.
Through this act, Muslims follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Each stone thrown symbolizes the spiritual struggle against sin and a commitment to live a life of obedience, patience, and faith.
Moreover, Rami al-Jamarat teaches valuable life lessons. It reminds believers that true strength comes from discipline, self-control, and reliance on Allah. It also emphasizes moderation in worship, as highlighted in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In addition, the ritual unites millions of Muslims from around the world in one purpose to declare their faith and resist the whispers of Satan. By performing the stoning ritual in Mina, pilgrims experience a profound spiritual renewal and connection with Allah.
Finally, the act of throwing stones during Hajj is a powerful reminder for every Muslim. It encourages believers to fight inner weaknesses daily and to remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.
In essence, Rami al-Jamarat is a symbolic, spiritual, and historical ritual that strengthens faith, purifies the soul, and connects Muslims to the divine guidance of Allah.
Also read Hajj Step by Step: A Complete Guide for First-Time Pilgrims