By Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Day 7 of my Hajj 2026 journey began after one of the longest and most meaningful nights of the pilgrimage. After spending the night at Muzdalifah beneath the open sky, surrounded by thousands of fellow pilgrims, the morning arrived with a mixture of tiredness, excitement, and deep gratitude.
It was Eid morning, but there was little opportunity to slow down.
The next major stage of my Hajj journey was waiting in Mina: Ramy al-Jamarat, the symbolic stoning ritual.
From Muzdalifah Back to Mina
After collecting the pebbles needed for Ramy and getting some much-needed rest at Muzdalifah, I made my way back to Mina.
The previous night had been physically demanding. Many pilgrims had slept very little, and the journey had already taken a toll on our bodies. Still, there was a unique sense of energy everywhere. It was Eid, and pilgrims from every corner of the world were moving toward the next stage of their Hajj.
Back at the tent in Mina, two of my companions were preparing to leave for Jamarat. I decided to join them.
This would be my first experience of performing Ramy al-Jamarat during Hajj.
Walking Toward Jamarat
The journey from Mina toward the Jamarat complex was much more than simply a walk.
The roads were filled with pilgrims moving in different directions. People from different countries, languages, cultures, and backgrounds were all sharing the same path and working toward the same purpose.
And the heat was intense.
Temperatures were around 115°F (about 46°C), making every step more difficult. Combined with the lack of sleep and the long night at Muzdalifah, the physical challenge was considerable.
Yet there was something incredibly moving about watching everyone continue.
Some pilgrims walked slowly. Others stopped to rest. Some carried bags and belongings while trying to protect themselves from the sun. Along the way, people looked after complete strangers.
Water was shared.
Dates were offered.
Elderly pilgrims were assisted.
Those struggling in the heat received support from people they had never met before.
In those moments, the true spirit of Hajj became especially visible to me. The pilgrimage is not only about completing a series of rituals; it is also about patience, sacrifice, compassion, and standing together as one Ummah.
My First Ramy al-Jamarat
Eventually, after a long and exhausting journey, we reached the Jamarat complex.
The scale of the place was difficult to comprehend. Thousands upon thousands of pilgrims were gathered there, each following the rituals of Hajj.
On this first day of Ramy, the ritual involves Jamrat al-Aqabah.
I took my seven pebbles and prepared myself for this important moment.
One by one, I threw the pebbles, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw.
Seven pebbles.
Seven moments.
And an experience that I know I will remember for the rest of my life.
When the final pebble was thrown, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Alhamdulillah, my first Ramy was complete.
But there was still much more ahead.
The Hajj Journey Continues
Completing Jamarat did not mean the day was over.
There were still several important responsibilities and rituals ahead, including arranging my Hady, having my hair cut, and completing Tawaf al-Ifadah.
My companions began making their way back toward Mina, while I continued toward Makkah.
The journey, however, was proving to be another test of patience.
Transportation was extremely difficult to find. The roads and bus stations were crowded with pilgrims, and the sheer number of people made movement slow.
After walking several additional miles, I eventually reached a bus station where large numbers of pilgrims were waiting.
Then came another test of patience.
I waited for roughly two hours before finally managing to board a bus heading toward Makkah.
By that point, the combination of extreme heat, walking, crowds, and very little sleep had left me completely exhausted.
But there was also a feeling that made all of that hardship easier to bear: gratitude.
I kept reminding myself that being tired while traveling toward the House of Allah is a blessing beyond measure.
Continuing Toward the Kaaba
As the bus finally moved toward Makkah, I knew that another important part of my Hajj journey was approaching.
The destination was Masjid al-Haram.
The exhaustion was real, but so was the excitement.
After everything that had already happened—from Muzdalifah to Mina, from the long walk to Jamarat and the first Ramy, to the struggle of finding transportation—there was still another chapter waiting to unfold in front of the Kaaba.
Day 7 had already become one of the most physically challenging days of my Hajj.
But it was also becoming one of the most spiritually meaningful.
More Than a Ritual
Looking back at this part of the journey, what stays with me most is not only the heat, the distance, or the crowds.
It is the people.
Millions of pilgrims come to Hajj with different stories, different languages, and different backgrounds. Yet during these difficult moments, the differences seem to disappear.
A person who had never met me could offer water.
Someone could help an elderly pilgrim walk.
A stranger could share food.
Another pilgrim could simply offer a reassuring smile.
These small acts of kindness can become some of the most powerful memories of Hajj.
The pilgrimage teaches patience in ways that cannot always be learned from books or lectures. Sometimes the lesson comes through a long walk under the scorching sun. Sometimes it comes while waiting for transportation. And sometimes it comes from a stranger who helps you when you are struggling.
A Day of Sacrifice, Patience and Gratitude
Day 7 of my 16 Blessed Days was a reminder that Hajj is a journey of sacrifice.
The tiredness, the heat, the crowds, the waiting, and the physical effort were all part of the experience.
But every challenge carried its own lesson.
Returning from Muzdalifah.
Reaching Mina.
Walking toward Jamarat.
Performing the first Ramy.
Searching for transportation.
Waiting for hours.
Continuing toward Makkah.
Each step brought me closer to completing another part of this blessed journey.
And through it all, one thought remained in my heart:
Alhamdulillah for being here.
Not every moment of Hajj is easy, but every moment can carry meaning.
The Journey Is Not Over
Even after completing the first Ramy, Day 7 still had more to offer.
My journey toward Makkah and Masjid al-Haram was only the beginning of the next chapter. There were still important rituals ahead, and the road to completing this blessed day continued.
This is what made the Hajj journey so unforgettable for me: there was always another step, another prayer, another challenge, and another opportunity to turn toward Allah.
May Allah accept the Hajj and sacrifices of every pilgrim.
May He grant strength and patience to everyone performing Hajj.
And may Allah open the doors of Hajj for every Muslim who dreams of standing before the Kaaba and answering the call of Ibrahim (AS).
Ameen Ya Rabbal Alameen. 🤲