ALMISKEENAH

 

Jamarat, Mina.

And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father! do what you are commanded; if Allah please, you will find me of the patient ones.
So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead,  And We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim!    
You have indeed shown the truth of the vision; surely thus do We reward the doers of good:     
Most surely this is a manifest trial.         
And We ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice.    
And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations.    Peace be on Ibrahim.   
Thus do We reward the doers of good.            
Surely he was one of Our believing servants.
(37:102-111)

Ibrahim Alaihis Salam and his son Ismail Alaihis Salam would have been dwarfed by the massive imposing mountain ranges clasping the valley of Mina when confronted by this amazing test by Allah Ta’ala. This scene so noble in its symbolism, that it forms part of the religious duties for millions every year for the past thousands of years.

Ibrahim Alaihis Salam was confronted by Shaytan tempting him to disobey the order to sacrifice Ismail Alaihis Salam, when Jibreel Alaihis Salam appeared instructing him to pelt Shaytan, whereupon Ibrahim Alaihis Salam pelted the Shaytan with seven stones making him disappear. The second stoning representing the temptations from Shaytan to Ibrahim’s wife Hagar Alaihas Salam tempting to induce her to stop him from sacrificing their son, and the third stoning represents his temptation of Ismail Alaihis Salam to avoid being sacrificed. Each time Jibreel Alaihis Salam ordering Ibrahim Alaihis Salam to pelt the Shaytan. He was rebuked each time, and the throwing of the stones symbolizes those rebukes.

The stoning of the Jamarat also represents the repudiation of man’s self (literally the "internal despot", al-Nafs al-Amarah­) and the act of casting aside one’s low desires and wishes.
If one is able to crush the nafs during the stoning of the Jamrah of Aqaba, then one has taken the next step in attaining closeness to Allah Ta’ala, and since between the servant and Allah Ta’ala there is no more than the distance of one step, if one has been able to take this step and make it past one’s own low desires and wishes, then that which follows is the level of closeness to Allah Ta’ala.
During those two or three days after the Eidul Adha when one is in Mina, one must stone the three Jamarat, meaning that one must trample upon his internal despot, the Nafs, the external despot of the Shaytan from the Jinn, and the Shaytan from among the Humans, the enemies of religion and of humanity.
The stoning of the three Jamarat is in essence, the stamping upon the despots and waging war against all of them. When one focuses on them and the hatred for them, then one automatically focuses with complete attention upon one’s self – and rightfully so – while stoning the Jamarat, one must focus entirely upon one’s self.

 

This is an artist’s impression of where one will vent this hatred.
The new high tech Jamarat bridge, looking so futuristic, is one of the largest projects in the world, with 10.000 employees working daily using more than 2000 pieces of equipment.
This sci-fi design being the result of incredible research and years of studies, as seen in these two fascinating pages.  

 

The elliptical-wall "pillar" of approximately 36 meters long was ready for last year’s ritual, considerably eased congestion while stoning.

 

While the construction of multi-story buildings is under way. Upon completion providing accommodation for 20,000 pilgrims. Maybe this could be the beginning of the end of the tent city, with the Mina valley eventually being mountains of buildings being clasped by the very same mountains (somewhat hacked away), that witnessed Ibrahim Alaihis Salam stoning Shaytan. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.