38)    The sequence of these rituals is the Sunnah of the Prophet . Nevertheless, a pilgrim is not blameworthy if he does not follow this exact order, as when one performs Tawaaf before shaving, shaves before throwing pebbles or does Sa’y before Tawaaf, etc. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr : “I saw the Prophet near the Jamrah [at Mina]; people started asking him questions. A man said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I got my head shaved before slaughtering.' The Prophet responded: 'Slaughter [now] and there is no harm.' Another man said, 'I have slain the sacrificial animal before throwing the pebbles.' The Prophet said, 'Throw the pebbles [now] and there is no harm [in what you have previously done].' So, on that day, when the Prophet was asked about anything [from the rituals] done before or after [its stated time], his reply was, 'Do it [now] and there is no problem.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another narration states: “Another man came to him [i.e., the Prophet ] and said, 'I circumambulated the Ka’bah before throwing the pebbles.' The Prophet said, '[Now] do the stoning and there will be no harm.’” [Muslim]

Similarly, Usaamah ibn Shareek recounts: “I went with the Prophet to perform Hajj; the people were coming [and asking questions]. To those who said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I performed Sa’y before Tawaaf', or, 'I did such-and-such before or after its stated time', he responded, 'There is no harm.’” [Abu Daawood, Saheeh]

39)    Throwing the pebbles at the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah is perfected when a pilgrim throws seven pebbles consecutively, while raising his hand and uttering Takbeer each time. The Sunnah is that he should be facing the Jamrah, keeping [the city of] Makkah to his left and Mina on his right.

40)    The time of throwing pebbles at the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah for those who are strong enough, starts after daybreak. Ibn ‘Abbaas relates: “The Messenger of Allah sent some boys from Banu ‘Abdul-Muttalib on donkeys, ahead [of the rest], on the night of [staying in] Muzdalifah. He [lovingly] patted our thighs and said, 'O young boys, do not throw pebbles at the Jamrah till the sun rises.'” [Abu Daawood]

As for women and weak people, they are permitted to do the stoning as soon as they arrive in Mina at the end of the night. This is supported by the following report of ‘Abdullah, (the slave of Asmaa’ ), who said, “During the night of Jam’ (meaning, of staying in Muzdalifah), Asmaa’ dismounted [her ride] at Muzdalifah and stood for [offering] the prayer; she prayed for a while and then asked, 'O my son! Has the moon set?' I replied in the negative, so she resumed praying for another period and inquired again if the moon had become hidden. I replied, 'Yes.' So, she instructed that we set out [for Mina]; we departed and proceeded till she [came to where she eventually] threw the pebbles at the Jamrah; subsequently, she returned to her dwelling place and offered the Fajr prayer. I asked her, 'You, [listen please]! I think we have thrown the pebbles too early in the night.' She replied, 'O my son! The Messenger of Allah gave permission to the women to do so.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

41)    The time of throwing pebbles at the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah lasts until the sun declines from the middle of the sky. However, if the pilgrim is unable to do the stoning before that, he may do it after that time, even at night. Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated: “The Prophet was asked [about the sequence of the rituals of Hajj] on the Day of An-Nahr at Mina; his answer would be: ‘There is no harm.’ A man inquiringly stated, 'I shaved before slaughtering.' He [i.e., the Prophet ] responded, 'Slaughter [now], and there is no harm.' Another said, ‘I threw pebbles at night.' He replied, 'No problem.’” [Al-Bukhari]

42)    The bowl of the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah in the basement is semicircular in shape. The pilgrim should make sure that the pebble [he has thrown] reached the bowl. If it rolls out thereafter, there is no harm at all.

43)    The Sunnah is that the pilgrim hastens to slaughter the sacrificial animal, shave his hair and perform the Tawaaf and Sa’y. Nevertheless, there is no harm if he delays these acts after the Day of An-Nahr.

44)    Slaughtering a sacrificial animal is obligatory for pilgrims who perform both the Tamattu’ and Qiraan Hajj. As for those doing Ifraad, it is not compulsory for them. One who cannot offer a sacrificial animal is required to observe fasting for three days during Hajj and then seven days after he or she goes back home. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {…And when you are secure, then whoever performs ‘Umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Severe in penalty.} [Quran 2:196]

It is not necessary that slaughtering takes place in Mina; rather, it is permissible to be done at any place in Makkah, as well as the rest of the sacred precincts. It is allowed for seven pilgrims to participate in offering a single camel or cow as Hady (sacrificial animal in Hajj).

The Sunnah is that the pilgrim should slaughter by his own hand. Nevertheless, it is permissible to authorize others to do it on his behalf.

According to the Sunnah, the sacrificial animal [i.e., a cow or a sheep] is laid down on its left side, facing the direction of the Ka’bah; then, one should put his foot on its neck and slaughter. As for the camel, its jugular vein should be severed while it is standing, with its front left leg tied and its face towards the Qiblah.

Mentioning the Name of Allah The Almighty at the time of slaying [the animal] is a must. It is also recommended to add: “Bismillaah, Allahu Akbar; Allahumma inna haatha minka wa laka; Allahumma taqabbal minni (In the Name of Allah, Allah Is The Greatest; O Allah this is from You and for You. O Allah, accept it from me).”

The time of sacrifice lasts until the sunset of the last of the Days of At-Tashreeq (the 13th day of Thul-Hijjah).

45)    Tawaaf for Hajj is completed by making seven rounds around the Ka’bah, as is done in Tawaaf for ‘Umrah, but with neither Idhtibaa’ (uncovering the right shoulder) nor Ramal (jogging or walking fast). It is an act of Sunnah to perform two Rak’ahs behind the Maqaam of Ibraaheem if possible. I have already drawn your attention to the mistake committed by some pilgrims who perform the prayer in that place, even when it is already overcrowded, thereby harming those who are circumambulating. The correct behavior is to back away from those who are performing Tawaaf and then keep the Maqaam between oneself and the Ka’bah. However, it will be sufficient for one to perform these two Rak’ahs at any place in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam.

46)    Sa’y between As-Safa and Al-Marwah for Hajj is [to walk from one mount to the other] seven times, in the same manner as it is done in ‘Umrah. For pilgrims who are performing Qiraan and Ifraad Hajj, the first Sa’y will be enough for them if they performed it along with Tawaaf Al-Qudoom.

47)    Trimming should be done of hair from the entire head. The woman gathers her hair and cuts a lock equivalent to a fingertip. If all her hair is not of the same length, she should cut that much from every layer individually, until she has trimmed her hair from all sides or most of it.

48)    The first Tahallul from Ihraam happens once one has thrown pebbles at the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah and shaved or shortened the hair. This entails that all actions forbidden during Ihraam are now permitted for the pilgrim, except for sexual intercourse. It is even recommended to bathe and apply perfume before heading for Tawaaf.

49)    The second Tahallul from Ihraam is completed after stoning, trimming or shaving the hair and performing Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah. This means that all acts prohibited in a state of Ihraam will now be permitted for the pilgrim, including sexual intercourse.

50)    It is obligatory to spend the nights of the days of Tashreeq [i.e., the eve of the 11th and 12th of Thul-Hijjah for one who will depart early, and the eve of the 13th as well, for whoever remains] in Mina. The pebbles must be thrown during this period in the following manner: the pilgrim stones the three Jamraat for each of the days of Tashreeq, after the sun declines from the middle of the sky, with seven consecutive pebbles at each, saying “Allahu Akbar” every time he throws. As such, the pebbles, whose size is somewhat bigger than a chickpea, which must be thrown every day, total twenty-one in number.

[On the 11th of Thul-Hijjah], the pilgrim starts with stoning the first Jamrah, which is next to Masjid Al-Khayf. Then, he goes forward a little towards the right hand, stands facing the Ka’bah for a long time, raising his hands as he prays to Allah The Almighty. He then throws pebbles at the middle Jamrah, after which he moves to his left, where he, once again, faces the Ka’bah and stays in that position for a while, raising his hands in supplication. Subsequently, he stones the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah, keeping it in front of him, with Makkah on his left and Mina on his right; however, once he is done, he should not stand there. He follows the same routine on the 12th and 13th of Thul-Hijjah.

51)    It is wrong to wash the pebbles, because neither the Prophet nor the Companions did that.

52)    In stoning, what counts is that the pebbles fall in the basin. Hitting the pillar, which stands at the middle of the bowl, is not important.

53)    The period of throwing pebbles starts from the time the sun declines from the middle of the sky until it sets. It is allowed to do the stoning at night, if need be. The Prophet said: “The shepherd throws the pebbles at night and grazes during the daytime.” [As-Silsilah As-Saheehah]

54)    It is impermissible to ask someone else to throw the pebbles on one's behalf, unless a person is unable to or expects to be harmed in the process, due to old or infantile age, or sickness, etc. In such a case, one begins by stoning the Jamrah as part of his or her own pilgrimage, and then, on behalf of the one who deputed him or her. Then, the individual does the same at the middle Jamrah as well as at the Jamrah of Al-’Aqabah.

Points of Caution for Pilgrims - IV