Al-Mash'ar: Difference between revisions

Mash’ar or Mash’ar al-Haram which is also known as Muzdalifi is a region between ‘Arafat and Mina which has a length of about 4 km and staying there on the morning of Eid al-Adha is one of the essentails of hajj. Most hajj pilgrims collect stones for ramy jamarat from this place.

This land which is located inside the sanctuary is a small valley between ‘Arafat and Mina with the size of about 4 km. There is a large mosque in this area called Muzdalifi mosque. The primary size of this mosque has been 1700 square meters which reached 4000 square meters at the time of Abbasids. That time, the mosque did not have a roof and there was only a fence around it. After many times of reconstruction and expansion, now its rectangular size is about 6000 square meters.

Mash’ar al-Haram is after the land or the valley of Ma’zimayn. Hajj pilgrims need to move toward this place after the sunset of the day of ‘Arafa, after the end of voluntary staying in ‘Arafat and stay there until the sunrise of the next day (Dhu al-Hijja 10th, Eid al-Adha). The area of Muzdalifi has been marked by big signs written on which “Bidayat-u Muzdalifi” or “Nihayat-u Muzdalifi”. Its length is about 4000 meters and its area is 5.12 square km. some believe that Mash’ar is actually the name of the land and a mountain located at the end of Muzdalifi and extends to the land or the valley of Muhassir and this whole area is called Muzdalifi. In this place, during camping and worshipping at night, pilgrims can collect stones which can only be found in this place with specific size and form to use them for ramy Jamarat in Mina.

On their return from ‘Arafat to Mecca, pilgrims pass Ma’zimayn which is located between two mountains. Ma’zim refers to a narrow pass and also to a gorge. It refers to the two narrow passages of going and coming through this area, passing which pilgrims arrive at Muzdalifi or the land of Mash’ar al-Haram.

* Mash’ar. The root of this name is Shu’ur [awareness]; because in this place, after understanding in ‘Arafat, the pilgrim needs to reach awareness.

* Muzdalifi which is another name for this place and is derived from Izdilaf, meaning proximity, because there, people come close to God or that pilgrims gather and get closer to each other. Also, Muzdalifi refers to the place of crowd due to the gathering of all pilgrims there at the night of Dhu al-Hijja 10th. Another cause for its naming is a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (a) saying, “after the end of staying in ‘Arafat, Angel Gabriel told the Prophet Abraham (a), ‘O Abraham (a)! Izdalif (go close) toward Ma’shar al-Haram.’”. In another narration, Mu’awiya b. ‘Ammar narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that, “Muzdalifi was called so, because pilgrim move toward it after ‘Arafat.”

* Jam’. Imam al-Sadiq (a) said, “Mash’ar is also called Jam’ because prophet Adam (a) performed his Maghrib and ‘Isha’ prayers together.”

After the sunset on the day of ‘Arafa, pilgrims go out of ‘Arafat and move toward Mash’ar al-Haram. The time of staying in Mash’ar al-Haram is from Fajr of Eid al-Adha until the sunrise. In Mash’ar, there is nothing obligatory other than just staying there, while performing many actions are recommended including remembrance of God and collecting stones for ramy Jamarat.