Rajm Stoning of the Devil

The Rajm, also known as stoning of the devil or Jamarat, is a ritual performed by Muslims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The ritual involves throwing pebbles at three pillars, which represent the locations where Satan is believed to have tempted Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).

According to Islamic tradition, Satan appeared to Prophet Ibrahim three times during his journey to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah. Each time, Prophet Ibrahim threw stones at Satan to ward him off. The Rajm ritual is a reenactment of this event and serves as a symbolic representation of resisting temptation and submitting to the will of Allah.

The ritual takes place on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, after Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims gather at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, where the three pillars are located. They throw seven pebbles at each pillar, while reciting the Takbir, which is a declaration of the greatness of Allah.

The Rajm ritual is considered to be one of the most important and significant rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is believed to cleanse the soul of sins and bring about spiritual renewal. The practice has been criticized by some who view it as a form of animal cruelty, as the pebbles used in the ritual are traditionally gathered from the Muzdalifah valley by pilgrims, where animals such as goats and camels may ingest them, causing injury or death. As a result, some authorities have recommended the use of sanitized pebbles to reduce the risk of animal harm.