Jamarat: The Stoning Pillars of Mina, Explained

The Jamarat are three stone structures in Mina, east of Makkah, which pilgrims stone with small pebbles during Hajj. Stoning the Jamarat is one of the rites of Hajj, carried out on the Day of Eid and the days of Tashriq that follow, in remembrance of Allah and in following the way of the Prophet ﷺ.

Today the three pillars stand inside a vast multi-level complex built to move millions of people safely. This page explains their history, what the Sunnah says about stoning, what you can and cannot do outside the Hajj season, and how to see the area from Makkah.

The history and significance of the Jamarat

There are three Jamarat, in a line along the valley. Nearest Masjid al-Khayf is al-Jamrah al-Ula (the first, or small, Jamrah), then al-Jamrah al-Wusta (the middle one), and at the Makkah end Jamrat al-‘Aqabah (the large one), at the old hill pass where the Pledges of al-‘Aqabah took place.

A report from Ibn ‘Abbas links the Jamarat with Ibrahim: when Shaytan appeared to him at these places, he stoned him with seven pebbles each time (al-Hakim and al-Bayhaqi, as a saying of Ibn ‘Abbas). Many scholars mention this as the background of the rite, while noting that it is not a hadith of the Prophet ﷺ. What is certain is the Prophet’s ﷺ own teaching: “The tawaf around the House, the sa‘i between Safa and Marwah and the stoning of the Jamarat were established only for the remembrance of Allah” (Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi, from ‘A’ishah).

In other words, pilgrims are not throwing at the devil as a person. They follow the Sunnah with each pebble, saying “Allahu akbar”, and humble themselves before Allah.

From pillars to a modern complex

For centuries the Jamarat were stone pillars at ground level, surrounded by small basins. As the number of pilgrims grew, crowding at the pillars became dangerous. In the 2000s the Saudi authorities replaced the pillars with long, oval walls, making it easier to hit them from a distance, and built a multi-storey Jamarat complex with several stoning levels, wide ramps, escalators, one-way routes and emergency exits.

The complex was designed to separate people coming and going, and it has greatly improved safety. Pilgrims are now usually given time slots by their Hajj company to spread the crowds through the day.

Jamarat: what is from the Sunnah (and what is not)

Stoning is a rite of Hajj only. It has no place outside the days of Hajj, and there is no virtue in throwing stones at the Jamarat at any other time of year.

The stoning on the days of Hajj

• 10 Dhul Hijjah (Day of Eid): only Jamrat al-‘Aqabah is stoned, with seven pebbles. The Prophet ﷺ stoned it in the forenoon (Muslim, hadith of Jabir). The Talbiyah stops with the first pebble (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
• 11, 12 and, for those who stay, 13 Dhul Hijjah: all three are stoned, seven pebbles each, starting with the small Jamrah and ending with al-‘Aqabah, after the sun passes its zenith (Muslim, hadith of Jabir). Those who leave early must leave Mina before sunset on the 12th (Qur’an 2:203).
• Size of the pebbles: small, like those used for flicking, roughly the size of a chickpea (Muslim). Large stones are against the Sunnah.
• Dua after the first two: after the small and middle Jamrah, the Prophet ﷺ stepped aside, faced the qiblah, raised his hands and made a long dua; after Jamrat al-‘Aqabah he did not stop (al-Bukhari, from Ibn ‘Umar).

What is not from the Sunnah

Do not throw shoes, umbrellas, large rocks or bottles, and do not shout insults. Do not wash the pebbles for a special reason, as this is not reported from the Prophet ﷺ. Taking stones, soil or pieces of the Jamarat home as souvenirs or for blessing has no basis, and the same applies to wiping the walls or tying cloth near them. Above all, pushing and harming people in the crowd contradicts the purpose of the rite, which is remembrance of Allah.

What to do and what to read at the Jamarat

During Hajj, say “Allahu akbar” with each of the seven pebbles, throwing them one at a time so that each lands in the basin around the wall.

After the first and second Jamrah, move out of the flow, face the qiblah and make a long dua in your own words. The takbir of the days of Eid and Tashriq is also widely recited during these days.

Outside Hajj, there is nothing to recite and nothing to throw. A visit simply helps you understand the rite. Our Hajj step-by-step guide sets the stoning in the order of the Hajj days.

How to get to the Jamarat from Masjid al-Haram

The Jamarat complex lies in Mina, about 5 km east of Masjid al-Haram.

During Hajj: pilgrims walk from their tents in Mina along signed pedestrian routes, or arrive from Makkah through the pedestrian tunnels. Your Hajj company will tell you your route, level and time slot. The walk from many camps takes 20 to 60 minutes each way. Vehicles are not allowed close to the Jamarat during these days.

Outside Hajj: a taxi or private car takes about 15 to 30 minutes from the Haram area, depending on traffic. Most visitors see the complex on a half-day holy-sites tour that also covers Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. Access to the stoning levels themselves is usually closed outside the Hajj season, so expect to see the building from the roads and car parks around it.

Rules for Hajj permits, camps and stoning schedules are set by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and published on haj.gov.sa and through Nusuk. They change from year to year, so always check the current instructions.

Practical tips for the Jamarat

Jamarat quick facts

See the neighbouring sites on our pages for Mina, Masjid al-Bay‘ah, Masjid al-Khayf and Muzdalifah. Our Makkah city guide covers transport and hotels, the ziyarat route planner helps you plan a holy-sites morning, and the ziyarat hub lists every site. Planning your Hajj? Request a tailored quote and we will explain the options from your country.

Jamarat: frequently asked questions