Dhul-Hijjah 12, 1447 (May 29, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
Lessons from Minna, Muzdalifah, and the Pebble Pelting at Jamarāt
All praise belongs to Allah. We praise Him, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves Android from the consequences of our bad deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever He leaves astray, none can guide. Peace and blessings be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
Hajj is not merely a journey of movement from one location to another. It is a journey of the soul from arrogance to humility, from sin to repentance, from distraction to remembrance of Allah. Every station in Hajj carries a deep lesson. Every ritual is a classroom of faith.
Today, we reflect on three significant stations of Hajj: Minna, Muzdalifah, and the stoning of Jamarāt.
Minna: The City of Tents and the School of Equality
Minna is often called the Tent City. Millions of pilgrims gather there in simple white garments. Rich and poor sleep side by side. Presidents and farmers stand shoulder to shoulder. No luxury distinguishes one person from another.
When a pilgrim enters Minna, worldly titles disappear.
The businessman who owns companies sleeps on a simple mattress beside someone who may not even own a bicycle. The professor and the laborer queue together for food and water. The wealthy king and the poor villager raise their hands together in du‘ā’.
What an instructive lesson for humanity.
Allah is teaching us that our real value is not in our clothes, wealth, tribe, or status. Our true value lies in taqwā — consciousness of Allah.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you.” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)
Minna reminds us that this dunya is temporary. Our expensive houses, luxurious offices, and social positions will one day mean nothing.
Eventually, every human being will sleep beneath the earth with only his deeds accompanying him.
Many people today are competing for worldly recognition but neglecting their relationship with Allah. Some destroy family ties because of inheritance. Some cheat others because of money. Some look down upon people because of tribe, ethnicity, or social class.
But Minna demolishes pride.
In Minna, pilgrims also spend their days remembering Allah abundantly. They pray together, eat together, help one another, and endure hardship together. It teaches patience, cooperation, and brotherhood.
How beautiful would our homes become if we carried the spirit of Minna into our daily lives? Imagine husbands and wives treating one another with mercy. Imagine neighbors helping one another sincerely. Imagine leaders serving people with humility instead of arrogance.
Minna is not just a location in Saudi Arabia. It is a message about how Muslims should live.
Muzdalifah: The Night of Simplicity and Reflection
After the emotional experience of ‘Arafah, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah. They sleep under the open sky. No magnificent buildings. No luxury hotels. No comfort of home. Just the earth beneath them and the heavens above them.
Muzdalifah is one of the most spiritually moving moments of Hajj.
A pilgrim looks upward and sees the sky stretching endlessly above him. At that moment, he realizes how small he is before Allah.
In our modern world, many people are imprisoned by materialism. We have become addicted to comfort. Some people panic if electricity goes off for one hour. Some become angry if their internet connection slows down. Others cannot survive a day without luxury.
Yet in Muzdalifah, millions sleep peacefully on bare ground.
Why?
Because when the heart is connected to Allah, simplicity becomes beautiful.
Muzdalifah teaches us contentment. It teaches us gratitude. It teaches us that human beings do not need excessive luxury to survive.
It is also a night of reflection.
Under the dark sky, many pilgrims think about their sins, their mistakes, and their neglected duties. Some remember parents they hurt. Some remember prayers they abandoned. Some remember dishonest wealth they accumulated. Tears flow silently in Muzdalifah.
And perhaps that is one of the greatest blessings of Hajj — the opportunity to return to Allah before death arrives.
My dear brothers and sisters,
Life itself resembles Muzdalifah. We are all travelers. We stop briefly in this world before continuing toward our final destination. Nobody remains here forever.
The wealthy will leave their wealth behind. The powerful will leave their authority behind. The famous will leave their followers behind.
Only deeds will remain.
Therefore, let us ask ourselves: What are we preparing for our meeting with Allah? What legacy are we leaving behind? How many hearts have we healed instead of hurting? How many people have benefited from our kindness?
The Pebble Pelting at Jamarāt: Fighting Shayṭān and the Evil Within
One of the most symbolic rituals of Hajj is the throwing of pebbles at the Jamarāt.
This act commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when Shayṭān attempted to discourage him from obeying Allah. Ibrahim rejected Shayṭān completely and remained firm in obedience.
When pilgrims throw pebbles, they are not attacking pillars of stone. They are declaring war against temptation, sin, and disobedience.
Every pebble carries a message.
A pilgrim is saying: “I reject arrogance.” “I reject greed.” “I reject immorality.” “I reject hatred.” “I reject injustice.” “I reject Shayṭān.”
But dear brothers and sisters, the real Jamarāt is not only in Makkah. The real battle against Shayṭān happens every day in our lives.
Shayṭān whispers to the businessman to cheat customers.
He whispers to the politician to oppress people.
He whispers to the youth toward immorality and drugs.
He whispers to husbands and wives to destroy their marriages with anger and insults.
He whispers to people to spread rumors, lies, and hatred on social media.
The question is: Are we throwing pebbles at Shayṭān daily through our obedience to Allah?
Some people throw pebbles during Hajj but continue stoning their own souls with sin after returning home.
The true meaning of Jamarāt is self-discipline.
When anger appears, stone it with patience. When greed appears, stone it with generosity. When pride appears, stone it with humility. When temptation appears, stone it with taqwā.
That is the real victory.
Lessons for Our Society
Today, our societies desperately need the lessons of Minna, Muzdalifah, and Jamarāt.
We need the humility of Minna in a world drowning in arrogance.
We need the simplicity of Muzdalifah in a world consumed by materialism.
We need the resistance of Jamarāt in a world overwhelmed by temptation.
Families are breaking because people refuse to sacrifice their ego. Communities are divided because people worship tribe and status. Corruption spreads because people obey Shayṭān more than they obey Allah.
If Muslims truly understood the lessons of Hajj, many of our social problems would reduce significantly.
Conclusion
Dear servants of Allah,
Whether we have performed Hajj or not, the lessons of Hajj belong to all Muslims.
Let us carry the humility of Minna into our homes. Let us carry the sincerity of Muzdalifah into our hearts.
Let us carry the courage of Jamarāt into our daily struggles against sin.
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May Allah purify our hearts. May He forgive our sins. May He make us among those who listen to the truth and follow it. May He grant safe and accepted Hajj to all pilgrims. May He unite the Muslim Ummah upon righteousness and peace.
Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and kindness to relatives, and He forbids immorality, evil, and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
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Endeavour to recite Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18: Verses 1-110).
Eid Mubarak wa Juma’ah Mabrouq
