jamrah
Quick Summary
The term "jamrah" refers to one of three stone walls in the valley of Mina, Saudi Arabia, where pilgrims participating in the Hajj (the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) perform the ritual of rajm. This ritual involves throwing stones at these walls, symbolizing the stoning of Satan.1
The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a mandatory pilgrimage for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage begins on the 7th day of DhÅ« al-įø¤ijjah, the last month of the Islamic year, and concludes on the 12th day.2
Before commencing the Hajj, pilgrims enter a state of sacred purity called ihram, donning specific garments and abstaining from cutting hair or nails until the pilgrimage is complete. The rites include circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca, running between the hills of Safa and Marwah, and visiting holy sites outside the city. The rajm ritual, where stones are cast at the jamrahs, is a significant part of these rites, symbolizing the rejection of evil.231
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