This page explains the origin of stoning the pillars as well as the procedures and provisions for slaughtering a sacrificial animal as part of the Hajj ritual on the Day of Sacrifice.
Stoning the Pillars and Slaughtering the Sacrificial Animal in Hajj
Stoning the pillars which is performed by all Muslims as part of the Hajj ritual, has a history. There is a story behind this act of stoning.
According to the book The Primary Reference for Hajj & Umrah for Women by Dr 'Ablah Muhammad al-Kahlawi, the history of stoning the pillars begins with the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail.
"Father Ibrahim dreamt that he was commanded to sacrifice him as an offering. Before this dream (revelation) came, Prophet Ibrahim had endured many trials and tribulations, from being burned to having to leave his wife and son in a barren land without water or vegetation," writes 'Ablah.
And now, she continues, Prophet Ibrahim must face an extremely difficult test: to sacrifice his only son who was growing into adulthood.
"When Ibrahim asked his son about the dream (revelation), Ismail did not hesitate and immediately responded 'O my father, do as you are commanded. By Allah's will, I will bear it patiently.'" says 'Ablah.
Prophet Ismail understood that his father's dream was a revelation from Allah, not a whisper of Satan. When Prophet Ibrahim was ready to carry out Allah's command, Satan tempted him to question his intention.
"How could a father bring himself to sacrifice his own son?"
But Prophet Ibrahim remained firm in his resolve and ignored all the whispers.
Seeing that his efforts could not shake Prophet Ibrahim's resolve, Satan tried to seduce Hajar, the wife of Ibrahim and mother of Ismail.
"Satan began to criticize her husband's resolve to sacrifice his beloved son. But Hajar paid no heed to this seduction because she had repeatedly experienced the bitterness of trials and the sweetness of rewards when facing them with patience," says 'Ablah.
1. Stoning the al-Aqabah pillar, 2. Slaughtering the sacrificial animal, 3. Shaving or cutting the hair, and 4. Going to Mecca to perform the farewell circumambulation (tawaf al-ifada).
All of these should ideally be done in order. If not in order, according to the Shafi'i school, it is not wrong.
Slaughtering the sacrificial animal (al-hady) in the Sacred Territory is an act of worship to draw near to Allah, as mentioned in His Words in Qur'an 22, al-Hajj: 36:
WAL BUDNA JA'ALNAAHAA LAKUM MIN SHA'AIRILLAAHI LAKUMFAAIDZA WA JABAT JUNUUBUHAA FAKULUU MINHAA WAAIHM IMUUL QAANI'A WAL MU'TAR …
Meaning: "And the camels and cattle—We have appointed them for you as among the symbols of Allah in which there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah upon them when they are standing [for slaughter]; and when they have fallen on their sides, eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you might be grateful..."
The slaughter is performed by the person performing the Hajj ritual, after completing the stoning on 10 Dhul-Hijjah.
The slaughter can be done anywhere in Mina, but the most preferable place is where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to slaughter the sacrifice, which is to the left of the Imam's place.
a. Sunnah, which is the sacrifice slaughtered during the performance of Hajj or Umrah.
b. Obligatory, which is the vowed sacrifice performed by those who, while performing Hajj or Umrah, have also vowed to slaughter a sacrifice.
Allah says as seen in Qur'an 22, al-Hajj: 29:
WAL YUUFU NUDZUURAHUM WAL YATH-THAWWA FUU BIL BAITIL 'ATHIIQ.
Meaning: "And let them fulfill their vows and perform circumambulation around the Ancient House."
The provisions for sacrificial animals are determined as follows:
1. A goat aged 2 years and a sheep aged 1 year can be designated for 1 person.
2. A buffalo or cow aged 2 years and a camel aged 5 years can be designated for 7 persons, whether the 7 are from one family or from different families.
Valid animals for sacrifice are those without defects as explained in a hadith of the Prophet. From Bara' ibn Azib: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Four types of animals are not valid for sacrifice: 1) Blind in the eye, 2) Sick, 3) Lame, and 4) Emaciated and without fat." (Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by al-Tirmidhi).
1. Vow (Nazar). If someone has vowed to sacrifice, they must fulfill it when the time arrives. Those who have vowed cannot eat its meat, except for those sacrificing as an act of Sunnah.
2. Capability. Those who are able should offer a sacrifice for their family members. It is also permissible for someone to offer a sacrifice with the intention for another person.
3. The Slaughterer. It is Sunnah for the person offering the sacrifice to slaughter the animal themselves, beginning with reciting Bismillah, sending blessings upon the Prophet, takbir, and the supplication for sacrifice:
"Allahumma taqabbal hadha min..." "O Allah, accept this sacrifice from... (mention the name of the one offering the sacrifice)".
4. The sacrificial animals are marked, decorated with garlands, and led to the Sacred House.
5. The time for slaughtering, whether a voluntary or vowed sacrifice, begins after the completion of the 'Eid prayer, after sunset on the Day of Sacrifice, and extends until sunset on the last day of Tashriq. However, the most preferable time for slaughter is after completing the stoning of the al-Aqabah pillar on the Day of Sacrifice and before shaving or cutting the hair.
6. A vowed sacrifice must still be slaughtered even if the stipulated time has passed.
7. For a voluntary sacrifice, if the time has passed, it need not be slaughtered.
8. The place of slaughter is most preferable in Mina, as this is where the state of ihram is exited (tahallul).
9. For those performing Umrah, the place of slaughter is in Mecca, especially at al-Marwah, as this is where the state of ihram is exited.
10. At the time of slaughter, the sacrificial animal is directed towards the Ka'bah.
Source: The Book of Hajj and Umrah, by Drs. Ir. Nogarsyah Moede Gayo
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