Hajj Yatra: Why people throw stones to beat demon?

New Delhi : Hajj Yatra is one thing that every Muslim wants to do at least once in his life. It happens in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Since the season of Hajj is on, here is all you need to know about it.

Hajj Yatra is mandatory for every Muslim as it is among the five pillars of Islam – Reading Kalma, read namaz, keeping roza, zakat and Hajj yatra. Kalma, Namaz and Roja are mandatory for all those who follow Muslim religion, while zakat and Hajj yatra is meant for those who are healthy and wealthy enough to take it.

Where is it done?

Hajj Yatra leads to Kaaba situated in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Muslims from across the world go there and read namaz while facing towards the Kaaba, which is believed to be a home of Allah. 

When is it done?

According to Islamic calender, Hajj Yatra is done in the 12th month on zil hijjah’s 8th to 12th. On the last day, Bakrid is celebrated. Apart from Haz there is another yatra that is known as Umrah. The only difference is that Hajj is done on Bakrid, while Umrah can be done during any day of the year.

What do Muslims do in Hajj Yatra?

Mina: Having arrived in Mecca, on day one pilgrims leave the city and head to an area called Mina where they spend the day in prayer. Here over 100,000 tents have been set up as temporary shelter and accommodation for the pilgrims in what looks like a huge tent city.

Arafat: On the Day of Arafat, pilgrims spend the entire day on, or near, a hill known as Mount Arafat - the Mount of Mercy. This is considered to be a great day of forgiveness and the day is spent repenting for past sins.

Muslims believe that if you spend this day in a state of true repentance, all past sins will be forgiven.

Muslims around the world who cannot physically take part in the Hajj also spend this day engaged in prayer, fasting and supplication.

Muzdalifa: Pilgrims spend a night in an area called Muzdalifa, which is part way between Arafat and Mina.

Pilgrims spend their time here in prayer and also gather pebbles to be used in a ritual the next day called the Jamarat.

Jamarat or Stoning of devil: The Jamarat is a ritual and symbolic stoning of the devil. Three pillars - small, medium and large - are stoned by pilgrims with the pebbles they collected on their route from Muzdalifa the night before.

The story associated with the stoning of the devil relates to the devil's attempt to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) from obeying Allah's commands.