"Stone Throwing' During Haj: Symbol Of Self-Renewal, Affirmation Of Faith

By Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan

MINA, 6 Jun (Bernama) -- The “melontar” (stone throwing) ritual or known as the Stoning of the Devil performed by pilgrims in Mina is not merely an act to fulfil the requirements of Sharia, but carries a deeper meaning as a symbol of self-renewal and rejection of the mazmumah (negative) traits in the life of a Muslim.

Tabung Haji (TH) Guidance Operations Director Shahrin Awaludin said the act of stoning, which involves throwing pebbles at three jamrahs, namely Jamrah Ula, Wusta and Kubra, carried out from the 10th to 13th Zulhijjah, also emulates the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW and commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim A.S.

"This stoning ritual symbolises the casting away of the mazmumah traits such as arrogance, defiance and all reprehensible qualities in oneself. It serves as a spiritual commitment for pilgrims to become better individuals after completing the haj pilgrimage,” he told reporters here.

He said the stoning ritual not only demands physical effort, but is also a profound spiritual practice, closely aligned with the true essence of Haj, to return home with a purified soul and a heart fully submissive to Allah SWT.

"Throwing the stones isn’t merely a physical act, it’s a declaration of the heart, a sincere pledge to change, to abandon sin, and to return to a pure, natural state," he said.

Meanwhile, Shahrin said TH also  organised a  tazkirah (talk) session about Mina to help Malaysian pilgrims better understand the significance behind each ritual and obligation of the Haj, including the stoning of the Jamrah

"TH conducted continuous guidance and tazkirah sessions for pilgrims after the Fajr and Zuhr prayers throughout their stay in Mina to remind them of the proper guidelines for worship, including the stone throwing of the Jamrah, the early tahalul, and the difference between nafar awal and nafar thani," he said.

The pilgrims were also encouraged to make full use of their long stay in Mina by increasing their personal worship, such as performing sunnah prayers, reading the Quran, engaging in dhikr, and participating in other spiritually beneficial activities.

The Malaysian pilgrims began moving from Arafah to Muzdalifah immediately after the Maghrib prayer, about 7 pm and “mabit” in Muzdalifah before continuing their journey to Mina.

The Masyair operation is the culmination of the haj operation, which involves the movement of Malaysian pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, over five days from 8th to 13th Zulhijjah to complete the pillar and obligatory haj rituals.

-- BERNAMA