19/06/2025
jamrah "Jamrah" (plural: Jamarat) refers to the stone pillars located in Mina, near Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. They are central to one of the most important rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage in Islam, known as Rami al-Jamarat, or the "Stoning of the Devil."
Here's a breakdown of its meaning and significance:
* The Pillars: There are three Jamarat:
* Jamrah al-Ula (or al-Sughra): The smallest/first pillar.
* Jamrah al-Wusta: The middle pillar.
* Jamrah al-Aqabah (or al-Kubra): The largest/last pillar.
* The Ritual (Rami al-Jamarat): During Hajj, pilgrims throw small pebbles at these three pillars. This act is a symbolic reenactment of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) defiance of Satan, who repeatedly tried to tempt him away from God's command to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Each pillar represents a specific encounter where Satan tried to mislead Ibrahim.
* Significance:
* Rejection of Evil: Stoning the Jamarat symbolizes the pilgrim's rejection of Satan and all worldly temptations (greed, pride, ego, etc.). It's a declaration of commitment to Allah's commands.
* Obedience and Submission: It commemorates the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim, Ismail, and Hajrah (Ishmael's mother) to Allah's will.
* Spiritual Cleansing: Each stone thrown is seen as a symbolic act of removing sins or evil influences from one's life.
* Unity of the Ummah: The collective performance of this ritual by millions of pilgrims from diverse backgrounds highlights the unity and shared struggle of the Muslim community against evil.
* Location and Infrastructure: The Jamarat are located in Mina, and the Saudi government has developed the multi-level Jamarat Bridge complex to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of millions of pilgrims performing this rite.
