Al-Hajj Al-Mabroor

Chapter Four
Stoning the Devil
By arriving to Minâ [An area close to Mecca on the road to ‘Arafah
where pilgrims spend the Tashreeq days. It is the place of throwing
pebbles at Jamarat and ritual slaughter of the sacrificial animal] the
hajjis have fulfilled half the Hajj duty. The Hajj has two
cornerstones without them it would never be complete and no
expiations or whatever compensations are sanctioned to atone for
them.
The first cornerstone is standing at ‘Arafât and the second is the
Ifadah Tawâf [Pilgrims’ circumambulation of the Ka‘bah upon their
return from Muzdalifah]. These are the two cornerstones of Hajj, in
other than them it is permissible to make expiations and offer a
sacrifice.
When proceeding onward from Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haram (the Sacred
Monument) to Minâ for stoning the devil we must keep in mind an
important issue: the story of Ibrâhîm (Abraham, peace be upon
him) and his son Ismâ‘îl (Ishmael, peace be upon him). The story
of manifest trial to which Allah subjected Ibrâhîm, who saw in a
dream that Allah is commanding him to slaughter his son, Ismâ‘îl.
A severe affliction fated by Allah, all praise and glory be to Him,
but why? Because Ibrâhîm was an old man, while his son Ismâ‘îl
was in the prime of youth. At an age when the father usually feels
that his son is the continuation of his life and becomes proud of
him, a son that lends a hand in the hardships of life. But over and
above, his wife, Sarah (may Allah be pleased with her), was
barren.
Which means the absence of causes to give Ibrâhîm another son,
but surely the Originator of causes (The Causer Almighty Allah) is
mightily able to give.
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