23/05/2024
Mina
Contents
How Mina was named
When and why at Mina
Story behind Jamarat
About Mina in Quran
Final Verdict
With mountains in all sides there appears in the middle a valley, called Mina Valley. Mina is situated in this valley presumably at a height of 400 meters (1,300 ft). In its west about 5 miles (8 km) away there stands Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah. Bordering on the al Azizyah distric of Makkah, Mina expands out 16.8 kilometers from Makkah’s city center to Muzdalifah.
How Mina was named
Once Allah ordered the Prophet Ibrahim (As.) to sacrifice the Prophet Ismail (As.), his little son, instead of a lamb. The Prophet Ibrahim (As.) without any hesitance took his son to the valley of Mina in order to follow Allaha’s instruction, despite being dissuaded by Shaitan. His eyes were and hands were bound from behind. The father sacrificed his son in the name of Allah. Then a miracle happened. A lamb was found slaughtered instead of the prophet Ismail (As.). Infact, this was a test of belief of the Prophet Ibrahim (As.) towards Allah, which he passed successfully. This historically significant event is intimately connected with the name Mina. As the Prophet Ibrahim (As.) was put to the test and it was this place where the test was taken, it was named after Mina, meaning ‘to undergo test.’
Mina also has another meaning ‘to follow.’ During Hajj-ul-wada (the farewell pilgrimage), the pilgrims with the Prophet Muhammad (Sm.) sacrificed one hundred camles here. Even today the pilgrims follow this sunnah and sacrifice animals at Mina on the religious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
When and why at Mina
Muslims are required to stay the nights of the 8th, 11th and 12th Dhul Hajj at Mina. During their stay at Mina they say prayers, perform zikir, listen to religious lectures and read the Holy Quran at night. On the 9th day upon the completion of tawaf after evening the pilgrims once again turn up at Mina. Then for a whole day and night they spend time in the tents. On the following day before sun break the pilgrims proceed towards the Mina. There they perform the act of ritual, that they have gathered for - to throw stones at Shaitan, represented by three stone pillars known by the name of Jamarat.
Story behind Jamarat
Jamarat of three different shapes have been made in relation to the gravity of the events occurring with Shaitan actively involved in all of them to manipulate Allah’s decision to sacrifice the Prophet Ismail (As.). The smallest of the Jamarats is Jamarat al- Sughra, while the largest is Jamarat al-Aqaba. The one that comes in between is Jamarat al-Wusta.
Jamarat al-Wusta symbolizes the event when Shaitan inticed the Prophet Ibrahim (As.) not to sacrifice his son.
Jamarat al-Wusta, the second of the Jamarats, symbolizes the event, as Shaitan tried to stop Hajrah (As.) from letting her son to go with his father.
Jamarat al-Aqaba symbolizes the occasion when Shaitan unsuccessfully tried very hard to convince the Prophet Ismail (As.) that it was to save his life.
However, every time Shaitan was defied and embarrassed. The Prophet Ibrahim (As.) hailed 7 stones at him. Yet, Shaitan could not be refrained; he appeared on two more occasions. These times also he was attacked with stones by the requests of Angel Gibrail (As.). Here lies the real beauty of Islam. Even in the toughest situation the Prophet Ibrahim (As.) and his family kept faith in Allah and did not cringe away in apprehension. This incident has evidently glorified Islam and its followers, who can make any sacrifice to attain the nearness and blessings of Allah.
About Mina in the Holy Quran
In Surah Baqarah [2:230] in the Holy Quran what is said about Mina is: “And remember Allah during (specific) numbered days. Then whoever departs early in two days - there is no sin upon him and whoever stays one more day - there is no sin upon him either - for him who fears Allah. And fear Allah and know that unto him you will be gathered.”
More about Mina
Mina today
Today Mina is a city of tents. People estimated 3 millions across the world come here every year during Hajj. It’s a big challenge to accommodate them all in at a time. However, the Saudi Government has installed more then 100,000 permanent tents to solve their residential problem. Each room is air conditioned and measures 8 by 8 meters (26ft x 26ft). Earlier there used to be cotton tents vulnerable to fire. Once in the year 1997 a dangerously large fire broke out, claiming lives of 340 pilgrims. This has led the authority to build the largest tent city at Mina.
Cave of Mursallat
Very few people know that mina houses a cave, called “Cave of Mursallat.” Surah “Mursallat” was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Sm.) here.
The event of the first Pledge
Mina was the first place where from Madina a group of 12 people received Islam under the conditions:
they will not force their wives to accept Islam
will not adopt adultery
will not kill anybody, esp. children and women
will not get associated with vandalizing or stealing
will remain obedient when commanded
will do good deeds
Final Verdict
In Islam Mina is a tremendously important place. Many important incidents that have taken place here serve as the source of Islamic rituals Muslims perform during the Hajj and Umrah. These rituals, through practice, help the pilgrims achieve the sanctity of their souls, the main goal of Hajj.
