Ramy al-Jamarat

Ramy (stoning, الرمي) is done twice in hajj. As the fourth obligation of hajj and the first rite performed in Mina, On the 10th of Dhu l-Hijja, ramy (stoning) at Jamara al-Aqaba (the last jamara) should be performed. As the thirteenth obligation of hajj and the fifth practice at Minā all the three jamaras are stoned.

Conditions

In ramy (stoning), some conditions to be followed are mentioned below:

1. Intention;
2. Ramy (stoning) should be performed with pebbles and not with something smaller (like sand) nor bigger (like stone);
3. The time of ramy (stoning), for those who are capable, is from sunrise to sunset on the day of Eid al-Adha;
4. The pebble must hit the jamara. If these stones do not hit it or a person doubts about the stones' hitting jamara, he/she should throw another pebble instead. It is insufficient to throw pebbles just at the area around the jamara without hitting it;
5. Seven pebbles should be thrown at it;
6. Pebbles should be thrown consecutively .i.e. if a person throws all these pebbles at once it will be considered only once, even if all the pebbles strike the jamara.

It is permissible to perform ramy (stoning) from the upper floor (the bridge of Jamarat). However, on the basis of caution, it is better to perform it from the ground floor.

Jamaras

Jamaras were three pillars but now they are lengthened and are in the form of three walls (apparently the old jamaras are located in the middle of the new ones). If it is possible to identify the place of old jamaras, one should strike pebbles at it. However, if it is hard to find the place of old jamaras, one should throw pebbles at any part of the new ones.

Conditions of Pebbles

The chosen pebbles for stoning should have the following characteristics:

1. It should be from the boundary of the Holy Haram. Therefore, if it is brought from outside of the Holy Haram, it is not sufficient.
2. They should be untouched meaning nobody may have used them for ramy (stoning) previously.
3. Pebbles should not be usurped. So, stoning with pebbles that were collected by another person without his permission, is not valid. However, purity of pebbles is not required.

On the Day of Eid al-Adha

Ramy (stoning) of al-Jamara al-'Aqaba (the last jamara) on the 10th of Dhu l-Hijja (Eid al-Adha) is the fourth obligation of hajj and the first rite performed in the land of Minā.

The women and the weak —who are allowed to go from al-Mashʿar al-Haram to Mina during the night before the Eid al-Adha (see wuquf at al-Mashʿar al-Haram)— may perform ramy (stoning) at al-Jamara al-'Aqaba at night in case they are unable to perform it on the day of Eid al-Adha. Rather, all women can perform ramy at night, provided that the ramy is for the hajj they are doing, whether they are performing their own hajj or [the whole hajj] on behalf of another person. But, on the basis of obligatory caution, if a woman is doing [only] ramy on behalf of another person, her act of performing ramy is incorrect at night even if she is unable to do it during the day. Those who accompany the women or the weak may perform ramy (stoning) at al-Jamara al-'Aqaba during the night only if they are themselves excused. Otherwise, it is obligatory that ramy (stoning) should occur during the day.

Besides women —who can perform ramy during the night before Eid even in normal cases— those who are excused from performing ramy (stoning) on the day of Eid al-Adha may perform this deed at the night before/after Eid al-Adha. Likewise, those who are excused from performing ramy (stoning) on the day of 11th or the 12th Dhu l-Hijja, may perform it at the next/previous night.

On the Tashriq Days

One should throw stones at the three jamarahs (the first, the middle and the last) during the day after the night in which mabīt (staying in Mināduring the night) is obligatory. Issue 442: The time duration for ramy (stoning) is from sunrise till sunset. Thus, it is impermissible, in normal conditions, to perform this deed during the night. The shepherd and those who have a reasonable excuse for performing ramy (stoning) during the day such as fear for their money, life or honor are exempted. Likewise, weak individuals such as women, old men and children, who are afraid of big crowd, are also excluded from this ruling and allowed to perform ramy (stoning) at night. Issue 443: The people, who are excused from ramy (stoning) during the day, but able to do it at night, are not allowed to appoint a representative for ramy (stoning). They must perform this act themselves at the night before or after the ramy day. However, those who are unable to perform ramy (stoning) even at night, like sick persons, are allowed to appoint a representative for that task. However, if at the time of hiring another person, he/she is hopeful to become free from excuse, on the basis of obligatory caution, he /she should repeat the act of ramy (stoning) at night if he/she becomes free from that excuse during the night. Issue 444: For a person who is unable to perform ramy (stoning) and appoints a representative and he/she performs the ramy but then before the time for performing ramy is over the person becomes free from the excuse, there are two case: a) at the time of appointing a representative, he does not hope that the excuse may be removed so the representative does the ramy. In this case, this ramy is enough and it is not necessary to do it himself/herself again; and b) he/she is hopeful that the excuse may be removed. In this case, although hiring a representative is allowed, on the basis of obligatory caution, after the removal of his excuse, he should repeat the act of ramy (stoning). Issue 445: The ramy (stoning) at the three jamarahs is obligatory but it is not considered the fundamental element (rukn) of hajj. Issue 446: The specific order to perform ramy is as follows: Firstly, ramy Jamarah Oulā followed by wusṭā and finally the ‘Aqabah should be performed. One should throw seven pebbles at each jamarah according to the prescribed method and conditions. Issue 447: For a person who forgets ramy of all the three jamarahs and goes out of the land of Minā if he/she remembers during the days of tashrīq, it is obligatory to return back to Minā if possible, and perform ramy; otherwise he/she must appoint a representative for doing it on his behalf. If he/she remembers it after the days of tashrīq or deliberately delays it, on the basis of obligatory caution, he/she or his/her representative should return to Minā to do it and perform ramy again next year with intention of qaḍā’ or appoint a representative for this purpose. If a person forgets ramy at jamarahs and goes out of the holy city of Mecca, on the basis of obligatory caution, should perform it with intention of qaḍā’ next year or appoint a representative for the act. Issue 448: It is permissible to throw pebbles at every side of jamarahs. It is not necessary to face qiblah during stoning of Jamarah Oulā and wusṭā. Similarly, it is not necessary that one's back face qiblah while throwing pebbles at the Jamarah ‘Aqabah.