Hajj Day 3 & Eid-ul-Adha – 10th of Dhul Hijjah
Hajj Day 3, also called Yaum al-Nahr (Day of Sacrifice), is the day pilgrims sacrifice animals and celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. Although the celebrations are not like those back home, it is an extremely joyous and fulfilling day as most of the physically challenging rituals have been completed.
Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, starts on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and ends on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Each day has its own rites and rewards and brings the pilgrim spiritually closer to Allah. In this article we discuss everything that pilgrims need to know about the 3rd Day of Hajj al-Akbar.
Rituals in Mina on Hajj Day 3
Once pilgrims arrive back to Mina from Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, they partake in various rituals.
Although the timeframe for performing these rituals is flexible, the order in which they must be performed is fixed. If possible, all rituals should be performed on the 10th. Otherwise, they can be completed any time after dawn on the 10th and before sundown on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
A penalty is due if the rituals are performed outside the timeframe and in an incorrect order.
1. Rami of Jamarah al-Aqaba
Walking towards the Jamarat
Walking towards the Jamarat from your tent in Mina via tunnels is much easier than going on buses. The Jamarat is situated at the far end of Mina, which is nearest to Makkah. Before beginning your journey, ensure you have the pebbles you collected in a pebble bag or plastic container.
To facilitate your journey, ensure that you are hydrated and, despite the shade in the tunnels, use an umbrella to stay protected from the sun and heat. Moreover, many refreshments are available at regular intervals. Avoid sitting under bridges or on the walkways leading to the Jamarat since this could impede the smooth flow of pilgrims.
For women, fixing a meeting point with their Mahram is advised in case they get separated during the journey.
Pelting the Jamarah al-Aqaba
Of the three pillars at Mina, only the Jamarah al-Aqaba (the big pillar) is pelted on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The pillars are marked with big signposts in Arabic and English for identification. Jamarah al-Aqaba is the one nearest to Makkah.
The pelting ritual can be performed after the Fajr prayer on the 10th and before the Fajr prayer on the 11th. However, certain times during the day are considered Makruh (disliked) for pelting, and others are more virtuous than others:
- Not allowed before Fajr prayer
- Disliked for men but permissible for women, the elderly, and the sick between the Fajr prayer and sunrise
- Sunnah between sunrise to midday (10 minutes before the beginning of the Zuhr prayer
- Ideal (Mubah) between midday and sunset
- Disliked for men but permissible for women, the elderly, and the sick between sunset and the Fajr prayer on the 11th of Dhul Hijjah
To avoid large crowds, the best times to perform Rami are:
- Immediately before or after Asr prayers
- During the night
Pilgrims can get very emotionally charged during Rami, so protect your face and lower your head to avoid stray pebbles and the arms of pilgrims throwing pebbles around you.
Moreover, recite the Takbir with each throw, as narrated by Ibn Abbas(رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
“The Prophet (ﷺ)made Al-Fadl ride behind him, and Al-Fadl informed that he (the Prophet (ﷺ)) kept on reciting Talbiya till he did the Rami of the Jamra. (Jamrat-Al-`Aqaba.)”
The Jamarat Bridge
The Jamarat bridges make it easier for pilgrims to throw stones at the pillars from various levels. Before 2006, there was only the ground level and a single bridge. This bridge was demolished to construct a multi-level structure; from 2016, there are six levels on which thousands of pilgrims can move along smoothly and pelt the Jamarat easily.
2. Hadi (Obligatory Animal Sacrifice)
After completing the Rami al-Jamarat, pilgrims can either:
- Return to their camps in Mina and wait till Hadi is performed. Pilgrims will then shave (Halq: for men) or trim (Taqsir:for women) their hair, exit the state of Ihram, and go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah. This is also the Sunnah as narrated by Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
“And if we follow the tradition of the Prophet (ﷺ) who did not finish his Ihram till he sacrificed his Hadi.”(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1559)
Halq/Taqsirmay be performed in Mina, Makkah, or Muzdalifah, although it is Sunnah to perform it in Mina.
- Proceed directly to Makkah and perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah while Hadi is performed on their behalf. This is usually the case with pilgrims performing Hajj with tour operators. Once they receive information about the sacrifice, they can cut/shave their hair, exit the state of Ihram, and perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah. Alternatively, pilgrims can also perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah in the state of Ihram before Hadi; although this is not Sunnah, it is acceptable.
Traveling to Makkah
Pilgrims traveling directly to Makkah should take buses or taxis since they need to conserve their energy to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah. Moreover, government buses will not be available because this day is extremely busy, and they are transporting pilgrims between various sites.
However, if you opt to walk, the distance between the Jamarat and Masjid al-Haram is approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) which makes up to two hours. To reach the pedestrian tunnels, walk towards the direction of Makkah from the Jamarat until you reach them.
Performing Hadi
There are various modern slaughterhouses adjacent to the Europa Camps in Mina and Muzdalifah. Although it is Sunnah to perform Hadi in Mina, it is acceptable to do it in Muzdalifah and Makkah.
As mentioned above, it is most likely that the animal sacrifice has been pre-arranged by your travel agent and is included in your Hajj package. In this case, you don’t need to be present at the slaughterhouse to oversee the sacrifice.
Hadi can be performed until the sunset of the 12th of Dhul Hijjah; a penalty will be charged if it is performed before or after this time. Although Hadi is not mandatory for pilgrims performing Hajj al-Ifrad, it is definitely recommended.
3. Tawaf al-Ziyarah
Having reached Makkah after performing Halq/Taqseer and Hadi, pilgrims perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah. Like Wuquf al-Arafat, Tawaf al-Ziyarah is also a pillar of Hajj, which is necessary for Hajj to be deemed valid or complete. Its timeframe is after the Fajr prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijja hand before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah; however, performing it on the 10th is preferable.
It is Sunnah to perform Ghusl before performing Tawaf al-Ziyarah. If the state of Ihram has been lifted, scented products can be used while showering, and the Tawaf can be performed in regular clothing.
It is recommended to perform this Tawaf on the roof level of Masjid al-Haram since the lower levels will be very crowded after 10 AM. If you want to avoid large crowds, try to reach Makkah early and perform the Tawaf before this time or after the Isha prayer.
If Tawaf al-Ziyarah isn’t performed in the given timeframe, it is still compulsory to complete the ritual, although a penalty will be applicable. If pilgrims return without performing Tawaf al-Ziyarah, marital relations will be prohibited until they return to Makkah and complete the rite.
Women in a state of impurity must delay their Tawaf al-Ziyarahand perform the ritual as soon as they are clean. However, there will be no penalty for them.
Performing the Tawaf al-Ziyarah
Pilgrims don’t need to make a specific intention for Tawaf al-Ziyarah – any Tawaf performed within the mentioned timeframe will be regarded as Tawaf al-Ziyarah.
After completing the seven rounds around the Ka’bah, perform two Rakats of Nafl at the Maqam-e-Ibrahim and drink Zamzam water. Furthermore, men must remember that ‘Raml’ (uncovering the right shoulder IF in Ihram) or ‘Idtiba’ (walking briskly) is not done during Tawaf al-Ziyarah.
Performing Sa’i
The Sa’i of Tawaf al-Ziyarah is mandatory for pilgrims performing Hajj al-Tamattu; those performing Hajj al-Qiran or Hajj al-Ifrad have already performed Sa’i following Tawaf al-Qudum (the welcome Tawaf). However, if a pilgrim has not performed Sa’i after Tawaf al-Qudum, they must perform it at this time.
It is neither compulsory to perform the Sa’i of Tawaf al-Ziyarah immediately after Tawaf al-Ziyarahnor is it required to be completed before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah; however, it is ideal if it is performed during this timeframe. Moreover, returning without performing this Sa’i will incur a penalty.
As with Tawaf al-Ziyarah, no specific intention is required for this Sa’i; pilgrims will complete the seven circuits between Safa and Marwah, and the Sa’i will be complete.
Lastly, marital relations will be lawful (since Tawaf has been completed), and no hair cutting will be required again.
Going Back to Mina and Spending the Night
After completing Tawaf al-Ziyarah and Sa’i, it is Sunnah to travel back to Mina and spend the nights of the 10th and 11th of Dhul Hijjah there.Since government buses won’t be available, private taxis or buses should be used to travel from Makkah to Mina. Moreover, taxis will drop you at the Jamarat since security will not allow you to travel directly to your camp.
If you decide to walk from Makkah to Mina, stay with your Mahram/group.
Staying in Makkah after Tawaf al-Ziyarah
According to the Hanafi school of thought, remaining in Makkah during these nights without a genuine reason is disliked (Makruh), but there is no penalty for doing so, although the other schools of thought state that there will be a penalty.
However, the elderly, ill, young, and those caring for any one of these categories of pilgrims can spend either one or both nights in Makkah without it being disliked.Moreover, if the need arises, women’s Mahramscan also stay with them.As for the Rami al-Jamarat, which is performed on the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, these pilgrims can ask someone to perform it on their behalf.
Furthermore, if the Tawaf al-Ziyarah and Sa’i are performed during one of these nights, i.e., the 10th and 11th of Dhul Hijjah, the rest of each respective night must be spent in Mina.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens on Day 3 of Hajj?
On day three of Hajj, pilgrims return from Muzdalifah to Mina to perform Rami (stoning the Jamarat)to commemorate Hazrat Ibrahim’s rejection of Shai’taan’s temptations. They also offer Hadi (animal sacrifice) and celebrate Eid-ul-Adha.
What day of Hajj is Eid-ul-Adha?
Pilgrims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
Is Arafat Day and Eid al-Adhaon the same day?
No. Yaum al-Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, and Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
What are the 3 white days of Dhul Hijjah?
The three white days of Dhul Hijjah are the13th, 14th, and 15thwhen the moon is full. It is Sunnah to fast on these days.
What is the link between Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha?
Eid-ul-Adha(Day of Sacrifice) marks the conclusion of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.
What do Hajjis do on Eid?
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, after Jamratal-Aqabah, pilgrims perform the ritual of Hadi (sacrifice), which involves the slaughter of a camel, cow, or sheep to thank Allah for the Hajj.
Day of sacrifice during Hajj is called?
The day of sacrifice during Hajj is called Yaum al-Nahr.
Conclusion for Yaum al-Hajj al-Akbar: Hajj Day 3 & Eid-ul-Adha – 10th of Dhul Hijjah
The main rituals on the third day of Hajj are Rami of the Jamarah al-Aqaba (the big pillar), Hadi (animal sacrifice), and Tawaf al-Ziyarah. With this, pilgrims can exit the state of Ihram. It is a day to offer immense thanks to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for granting the strength and perseverance to complete the most strenuous rituals of Hajj with ease. Moreover, it is a day to ask Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to forgive our misdeeds and accept our Hajj.
