The Prescribed Rites of The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (2/2)

The Days of ‘Eid

The only thing that remains for you in the Hajj is to stay at Minaa three days, or three nights. What are the activities to be performed while staying at Minaa?

The days at Minaa are for eating, drinking, and for making remembrance of Allah. Remember Allah the best way that you are able to – there are no prescribed statements to be recited. Eat from your sacrificial animal, if you slaughtered it yourself. If you did it by way of proxy or voucher, then of course, that meat you will not see, and it will be donated in the way of Allah (to the needy). These are the days of Joy and Happiness – the days of 'Eid. These days are intended for eating, drinking and remembering Allah.

During each of these three days, after the sun passes its zenith (noontime), that is, once the time of Dhuhr has entered, you go to the 3 pillars in order to stone each of them.

Each day you are to stone each of the three pillars, using seven pebbles for each pillar, as you did previously with the Jamrat-ul-‘Aqabah. You must first start with the stoning of the “small pillar”, then the “middle pillar” and lastly, the “big pillar.”

For each pillar you are to throw seven pebbles, reciting “Allahu Akbar” with each throw. After completing the throwing of seven pebbles at the:

1. First Pillar: stop and make du'aa for what you wish before leaving for the next pillar.

2. Second Pillar: stop, and make more supplication before leaving.

3. Third Pillar: leave without making any supplication.

You perform these stonings on all three days at Minaa; the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. These days are known as Ayaam at-Tashreeq (The Days of Drying).

The Days of Tashreeq are named so because the meat that was slaughtered on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and later used to be laid out in the sun after butchering. This was done in order to dry out the meat for preservation for the return journey home, since there was no refrigeration in those times.

According to the Prophet, these are days of eating, drinking, and for remembering Allah.

When these days are over, the rites of Hajj are now completed, and you may return home to your family. Some people wish to leave early and travel home from the Hajj (a day early). In this regard, Allah has said:

“Remember Allah during the appointed days (i.e. Ayaam at-Tashreeq) and whoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him. And whoever remains (until the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), there is no sin on him, providing that his intention was to be dutiful to Allah (and to do good).” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 203]

So it is permissible to leave on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, after the second day at Minaa, by combining the stoning of the pillars of the second and third days into one day (i.e. the stoning of the 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah are to be both performed on the same day, the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, the second day at Minaa).

This is accomplished by going out on the second day of stoning (the 12th of Dhul Hijjah) and throwing seven pebbles at the small pillar for the second day then throwing seven additional pebbles at the same (small) pillar for the third day. You repeat this same process for the following two pillars – the middle and the last Jamraat. Throw seven pebbles first for the second day, then seven more pebbles for the third and final day (in one day).

This allowance is for those who wish to travel early and do not want to remain in Minaa on the 3rd day, as Allah says:

“Remember Allah during the appointed days (i.e. Ayyam at-Tashreeq) and whoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him. And whoever remains (until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah), there is no sin on him, providing that his intention was to be dutiful to Allah (and to do good).” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 203]

Hence, it is permissible for the people to remain at Minaa for three days, or for those who wish to hurry, two days. Those leaving on the second day, however, must combine the second and third days of the Stoning of Jamrat on one day, which is the second day. Then, they can travel back to their homelands.

It is recommended (mustahabb) that you perform a final Tawaaf when leaving Makkah for the last time. This is known as the Tawaaf al-Widaa’ (The Farewell Tawaaf). The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered:

 “One should not leave Makkah for the last time except after performing a final Tawaaf of the Sacred House.” This is the last rite to be performed at the Sacred House – the Tawaaf al-Widaa’.

Special Cases: Women And Menstruation During Hajj

If a woman begins her menses cycle before, during, or after the rites of Hajj, she can complete all the ordered sequence of rites of the Hajj except the Tawaaf (circumambulation) around the House in seven circuits, until she becomes clean after the end of the menses.

If a woman commences her menstrual bleeding after completing the first Tawaaf (Tawaaf al-Qudoom), then she must complete all the remaining rites of Hajj (like the other women of Hajj), except that she must wait to become clean at the end of her menses in order to perform the Tawaaf al-Ifaadah (The Tawaaf of Return).

Her Hajj or ‘Umrah are not ruined, as some ignorant people presume; rather her Hajj is valid and her ‘Umrah is valid. Allah has indeed written this for all of the daughters of Aadam; therefore, women will experience menses.

So there is no problem for women experiencing menses to complete all of the rites of Hajj, except the Tawaaf around the House. They must wait until becoming clean and purified after the completion of the menses, before performing the Tawaaf again.

Another case is when a woman commences her menstrual bleeding before performing the Farewell Tawaaf (Tawaaf al-Widaa’). Is it necessary for her to wait until the end of her menses, become purified, and then perform the Tawaaf al-Widaa?

No, in this case, the Tawaaf Al-Ifaadah ("the Tawaaf of return (from Minaa) that was performed earlier will suffice for both the Tawaaf al-Ifaadah as well as the Tawaaf al-Widaa'. These is no need for a woman to wait until becoming purified; she can complete the remaining rites of Hajj during the final days without having to perform the Tawaaf al-Widaa', and depart home with her family.