The stoning of the Jamarat (Ramy al-Jamarat) is one of the most physically demanding and logistically complex rituals of Hajj. Over three to four days, pilgrims throw pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's (peace be upon him) rejection of Shaytan's temptation. Here is exactly what you need to know.

The Schedule: Which Pillars, Which Days

For Hajj 2026, with Eid al-Adha expected on May 27:

  • 10th Dhul Hijjah (May 27 - Eid day): Stone only the large pillar (Jamrat al-Aqaba). Throw 7 pebbles, saying "Allahu Akbar" with each throw. Do this after sunrise, ideally before midday to avoid the worst crowds.
  • 11th Dhul Hijjah (May 28): Stone all three pillars in order - small, then medium, then large. Throw 7 pebbles at each (21 total).
  • 12th Dhul Hijjah (May 29): Stone all three pillars again in the same order (21 pebbles). After this, you may leave Mina before Maghrib if you choose not to stay for the optional third day.
  • 13th Dhul Hijjah (May 30 - optional): If you stayed in Mina, stone all three pillars one final time (21 pebbles).

Total pebbles needed: 49 minimum (if leaving on the 12th) or 70 (if staying for the 13th). Collect them at Muzdalifah and carry extras in case any miss.

How to Stone Correctly

For each pillar:

  1. Stand facing the pillar. On the 10th, the large pillar should be on your right as you approach from Muzdalifah. On subsequent days, start from the small pillar nearest to Masjid al-Khaif in Mina.
  2. Hold a pebble between your thumb and forefinger.
  3. Throw it with a flicking motion so it lands in the basin around the pillar. The pebble must fall inside the basin area - hitting the pillar itself is not required.
  4. Say "Allahu Akbar" with each throw.
  5. Throw all 7 pebbles one at a time, not all at once.

After the small and middle pillars (on the 11th-13th), move to the side, face the Qiblah, and make dua. This pause for supplication is a Sunnah that many pilgrims skip in the rush. Do not make dua after the large pillar - simply leave.

Timing and Crowds

The permissible stoning time on the 10th is from after Fajr (sunrise onwards). On the 11th-13th, the time begins at Dhuhr (midday) according to the Hanbali view, though the Shafi'i and Hanafi schools permit stoning from sunrise.

The Saudi authorities assign time slots to different groups to manage the flow of 2 million pilgrims through the Jamarat Bridge. Your Hajj operator will tell you your assigned window. Respect it - it exists to prevent the deadly crushes that occurred in past years.

Least crowded times: Late afternoon (3-5pm) and after Maghrib (if your group's slot permits it). Early morning on the 10th tends to be extremely crowded as everyone rushes after Muzdalifah.

The Jamarat Bridge

The modern Jamarat Bridge is a massive multi-level structure costing over 4.2 billion SAR. It is 950 metres long and 80 metres wide, designed to support up to 12 floors and handle 300,000 pilgrims per hour. You will approach on one level and exit on another - the flow is one-directional to prevent counter-flow crushes.

Each floor has its own entrance ramps and the three pillars are accessible from every level. Follow the signage and the flow of people. Do not try to go against the crowd or cross barriers.

Safety Rules

  • Do not push. The most dangerous moments at Hajj historically occur at the Jamarat. Move with the crowd, not against it.
  • Carry only essentials - phone, water, pebbles in a small bag. Leave everything else at camp.
  • If someone falls near you, stop immediately and help them up. Stampedes begin when fallen people are walked over.
  • If you feel faint, move to the edge of the walkway and sit. Medical stations are present on every level of the bridge.
  • Use the right pebble size - slightly larger than a chickpea, smaller than a walnut. Do not throw shoes, large rocks, or umbrellas (all of which have been thrown in previous years).

Delegation for Those Who Cannot Attend

If you are unable to stone due to illness, extreme old age, or physical inability, you may delegate (tawkeel) another pilgrim to stone on your behalf. This is permitted by scholarly consensus. The delegate stones their own Jamarat first, then returns to stone yours in the same order.