By Hajj is a journey filled with moments that stay in the heart long after the pilgrimage is over. Among the most powerful experiences of Hajj 2026 was my visit to Jamarat, where I performed the symbolic stoning ritual alongside thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the world.
Standing at Jamarat and preparing to throw the pebbles was not just another physical part of the pilgrimage. It was a moment of reflection—a reminder of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and the determination to stay on the path chosen for the sake of Allah.
Completing the Three Jamarat
During this part of Hajj, I completed the stoning of all three Jamarat: the Small Jamarah, the Middle Jamarah, and the Large Jamarah, also known as Jamarat al-Aqabah.
For each Jamarah, seven pebbles were thrown, making a total of 21 stones.
Although the numbers may seem simple, carrying out this ritual in the middle of such a huge gathering of pilgrims makes the experience difficult to describe. People were moving in every direction, each focused on completing their worship while remaining patient and careful among the enormous crowds.
The familiar sound of pilgrims saying “Allahu Akbar” as they threw their pebbles created an atmosphere unlike anything I had experienced before.
Faith in the Midst of Heat and Crowds
Hajj is not only a spiritual journey; it also requires physical strength and patience.
The conditions at Jamarat were challenging. The heat was intense, the crowds were immense, and after days of pilgrimage, exhaustion was naturally beginning to set in. Sweat, tiredness, long walks, and the sheer number of people all added to the physical challenge.
Yet there was something deeply motivating about seeing millions of fellow pilgrims continuing their journey with patience.
Everyone had come with the same ultimate purpose: to worship Allah and complete the rites of Hajj.
For me, successfully completing the three Jamarat despite the difficult conditions became another unforgettable milestone of my first Hajj.
More Than Throwing Pebbles
The stoning of the Jamarat carries a meaning much deeper than the physical act itself.
The ritual recalls the story associated with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his complete submission to Allah. The pebbles serve as a powerful symbol of rejecting temptation and refusing to allow anything to pull us away from obedience to our Creator.
With every stone, there is an opportunity to reflect:
What distractions are taking me away from Allah?
What temptations do I need to resist?
What habits or weaknesses do I need to leave behind?
And most importantly, am I truly willing to choose obedience when it becomes difficult?
These reflections make the experience at Jamarat deeply personal. The stones may be small, but the lesson behind them is enormous.
A Moment I Will Always Remember
Walking through Jamarat surrounded by pilgrims from across the globe was one of those experiences that is difficult to capture completely through words or photographs.
People had traveled enormous distances to reach Makkah. They came from different countries, spoke different languages, and had different backgrounds, but at Jamarat everyone was united by the same act of worship.
There was tiredness, but there was also determination.
There was heat, but there was patience.
There were enormous crowds, but there was a shared sense of purpose.
Being part of that gathering during my first Hajj made me appreciate the scale and beauty of this extraordinary pilgrimage.
A Personal Milestone in My First Hajj
Completing the 21 stones at Jamarat became another significant chapter in my first Hajj journey.
It reminded me that Hajj is not simply about reaching the end of a list of rituals. Each stage carries lessons that can continue long after the pilgrim returns home.
The experience at Jamarat encouraged me to think about the things I need to reject in my own life—the temptations, distractions, and weaknesses that can distance a person from Allah.
Perhaps that is one of the most beautiful lessons of this ritual: faith requires us to make choices repeatedly.
We must recognize what takes us away from Allah and have the courage to turn away from it.
Alhamdulillah for This Journey
Looking back at this moment, I feel grateful for the opportunity to have experienced Hajj and to complete this important part of the pilgrimage.
The physical challenges were real, but they became small compared with the spiritual significance of the journey.
My 21 stones at Jamarat were not merely 21 pebbles thrown into a designated place. They represented a moment of obedience, reflection, and renewed determination to remain firm upon faith.
Alhamdulillah for every step, every difficulty, every prayer, and every moment of this unforgettable Hajj journey.
May Allah accept the Hajj of every Haji and Hajjah, accept our worship and sacrifices, forgive our shortcomings and sins, and grant the opportunity of visiting Makkah and Madinah to everyone who longs to make this sacred journey.
Ameen. 🤲🕋