Stoning the Jamarat: Complete Guide to Rami — Rules, Timing & Safety

What Is Rami al-Jamarat?

Rami al-Jamarat (رمي الجمرات) literally means "throwing at the Jamarat" and refers to the Hajj ritual of casting small pebbles at three stone pillars located in the valley of Mina. It is one of the wajib (obligatory) acts of Hajj — omitting it without a valid excuse requires a penalty sacrifice (dam), though the Hajj itself remains valid.

The ritual commemorates the experience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him. According to Islamic tradition, when Ibrahim was taking his son Ismail to fulfill Allah's command of sacrifice, Shaytan (Satan) appeared three times to tempt him into disobeying Allah. At each appearance, Ibrahim rejected Shaytan by throwing stones at him. The three Jamarat pillars mark these three locations of confrontation.

For the full context of where this ritual falls within the Hajj sequence, see our complete Hajj step-by-step guide.

The Three Jamarat Pillars Explained

The three pillars are arranged in a line within the valley of Mina, spaced approximately 150 meters apart. From east to west (from Masjid al-Khayf toward Makkah), they are:

Pillar	Arabic Name	Also Known As	Position
Small Pillar	الجمرة الصغرى (Jamarah al-Sughra)	Jamarah al-Ula (the First)	Closest to Masjid al-Khayf (eastern end)
Middle Pillar	الجمرة الوسطى (Jamarah al-Wusta)	—	Center
Large Pillar	الجمرة الكبرى (Jamarah al-Kubra)	Jamarah al-Aqabah	Closest to Makkah (western end)

In the modern Jamarat complex, each pillar has been replaced by a long elliptical wall (approximately 26 meters long) surrounded by a large circular basin that catches the pebbles. The wall design allows far more pilgrims to throw simultaneously than the old columns, which were a major cause of crowd congestion.

Day-by-Day Stoning Schedule

The stoning ritual extends over 3 to 4 days of Hajj. Here is the complete schedule:

10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr / Eid al-Adha)

• Stone only Jamarah al-Aqabah (the large pillar)
• 7 pebbles, thrown consecutively
• Say "Allahu Akbar" with each throw
• Stop the Talbiyah when you begin stoning
• Sunnah time: after sunrise until Dhuhr
• Valid time: after Fajr on the 10th until Fajr of the 11th (according to the majority)
• After stoning, proceed to: Qurbani (sacrifice) → Hair shaving/trimming → Tawaf al-Ifadah

11th of Dhul Hijjah (1st Day of Tashreeq)

• Stone all three pillars in order: Small → Middle → Large
• 7 pebbles at each pillar = 21 pebbles total
• After the small and middle pillars, step aside, face the Qiblah, and make dua (this is Sunnah)
• After the large pillar, leave without stopping for dua (this is the Sunnah practice)
• Stoning window: after Dhuhr until Fajr of the next day (majority opinion)

12th of Dhul Hijjah (2nd Day of Tashreeq)

• Same as the 11th: all three pillars, 7 each, in sequence
• After completing this stoning, pilgrims have two options:
  1. Nafr al-Awwal (Early Departure): Leave Mina before Maghrib. Your Hajj stoning is complete.
  2. Stay for the 13th: If Maghrib catches you still in Mina, you must stay and complete the stoning on the 13th.

13th of Dhul Hijjah (3rd Day of Tashreeq — Optional)

• Same as the 11th and 12th: all three pillars, 7 each, in sequence
• This is the final day of Hajj rituals
• Most scholars consider staying for the 13th as better (afdal) but not obligatory

"And remember Allah during the appointed days. But whoever hastens [his departure] in two days — there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays — there is no sin upon him — for he who fears Allah."
— Quran 2:203

Correct Stoning Technique

The correct technique for stoning the Jamarat is important to ensure your ritual is valid and that you do not endanger others:

Step-by-Step Technique

1. Hold the pebble between your thumb and index finger of your right hand (using the right hand is Sunnah, not obligatory).
2. Raise your arm so that your armpit is visible (for men). This ensures a controlled throw rather than a violent hurl.
3. Say "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) with each pebble. Some scholars say only "Allahu Akbar" is sufficient.
4. Throw with a flicking motion — a controlled arc, not a baseball pitch or overhand slam. The pebble should follow a gentle upward trajectory and land in or near the basin.
5. Throw each pebble individually — throwing all 7 at once counts as only 1 throw.
6. Verify the pebble lands in the basin or hits the wall. Pebbles that clearly miss and land far outside do not count and must be replaced.
7. Repeat for all 7 pebbles.

What Counts as a Valid Throw?

• The pebble must land within the basin surrounding the pillar/wall. It does not need to hit the wall itself.
• If the pebble hits the wall and bounces out, the majority of scholars still count it as valid.
• If the pebble lands on the ground clearly outside the basin, it does not count. Throw a replacement.
• The pebble must be thrown, not placed. Dropping it into the basin from the edge does not count.

Timing Rules & Scholarly Opinions

The timing of Rami is one of the most debated topics among scholars. Here is a summary of the key positions:

Timing on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah

School	Earliest Time	Preferred (Sunnah) Time	Latest Time
Hanafi	After Fajr	After sunrise – Dhuhr	Sunset of the 12th
Maliki	After sunrise	After sunrise – Dhuhr	Fajr of the 11th
Shafi'i	After midnight (9th/10th)	After sunrise – Dhuhr	End of Ayyam al-Tashreeq
Hanbali	After Fajr	After sunrise – Dhuhr	Fajr of the 11th

Timing on the 11th, 12th, and 13th

The majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) say the stoning window on these days opens after Dhuhr (noon). The Hanafi school and some contemporary scholars permit stoning after Fajr on these days, particularly when crowd pressure makes afternoon stoning dangerous. The Saudi authorities have often followed the more lenient opinion to reduce overcrowding.

Nighttime stoning: All four schools agree that stoning at night is valid, extending from Maghrib until Fajr of the following day. Many experienced Hajj operators recommend nighttime stoning for smaller crowds and greater safety.

Pebble Requirements & Collection

Proper pebble collection ensures your stoning is valid and smooth. Here are the essential requirements:

Total Pebbles Needed

• 10th Dhul Hijjah: 7 pebbles (Jamarah al-Aqabah only)
• 11th Dhul Hijjah: 21 pebbles (all three pillars × 7)
• 12th Dhul Hijjah: 21 pebbles (all three pillars × 7)
• 13th Dhul Hijjah (optional): 21 pebbles (all three pillars × 7)
• Total minimum: 49 pebbles (or 70 including the 13th)
• Recommended: 60–80 pebbles to account for drops and misses

Pebble Size and Type

• Size: slightly larger than a chickpea, approximately the size of a date pit or small marble (roughly 1–2 cm diameter)
• Not too large: The Prophet ﷺ warned against extremism in the religion, even in the size of stoning pebbles. Using large rocks is explicitly prohibited.
• Any clean stone: natural pebbles from any location. Avoid impure materials, though virtually any small stone found on the ground is valid.

Where to Collect

Pebbles may be collected from Muzdalifah (the traditional location), Mina, or anywhere along the route. Many pilgrims collect the pebbles for the 10th at Muzdalifah during the overnight stay, and collect additional pebbles in Mina for subsequent days. For detailed guidance on the Muzdalifah overnight experience, see our Mina and Muzdalifah guide.

Proxy Stoning (Delegation)

Proxy stoning allows another person to perform Rami on behalf of a pilgrim who cannot do it themselves. This is permitted in the following circumstances:

• The elderly who cannot withstand the crowds and physical demands
• The sick with a condition that prevents safe movement in crowds
• Pregnant women for whom the crowds pose a risk
• Young children who are too small to safely participate
• People with physical disabilities that prevent walking to the Jamarat or throwing pebbles

Rules for Proxy Stoning

1. The proxy must complete their own stoning first, then perform the stoning for the person they represent.
2. The person being represented must make the intention (niyyah) for their stoning to be performed by proxy.
3. One person can serve as proxy for multiple people — completing their own stoning, then making a separate pass for each person they represent.
4. The proxy should follow the same sequence and rules as regular stoning — same order of pillars, same number of pebbles, same takbeer.

For women-specific considerations about proxy stoning and crowd safety, see our women's Hajj guide.

The Modern Jamarat Bridge Complex

The Jamarat Bridge (جسر الجمرات) is a massive multi-level structure built specifically for the stoning ritual. The current complex, completed in 2010, replaced the old ground-level stoning area that was the site of multiple deadly crowd crushes, including the 2006 incident that killed 346 pilgrims.

Key Features of the Modern Complex

• 5 levels: Ground floor plus 4 upper levels, each providing full access to all three Jamarat walls
• Capacity: designed to handle up to 300,000 pilgrims per hour
• 12 entry/exit points dispersed around the structure to prevent bottlenecks
• One-directional flow: east-to-west on each level, preventing head-on collisions between incoming and outgoing crowds
• Emergency exits and evacuation routes on every level
• Advanced ventilation and cooling systems given the extreme summer heat
• CCTV monitoring and crowd density sensors connected to a central command center
• Elliptical walls (26 meters long) instead of round pillars, allowing more pilgrims to throw simultaneously

Navigating the Bridge

Your Hajj group will typically be assigned a specific level and entry time. Follow these guidelines:

• Follow the direction of flow. Never walk against the crowd.
• Enter from the east (Mina side) and exit to the west (Makkah side).
• Take the ramps or escalators to your designated level.
• Complete the stoning at all required pillars on your level before descending.
• Do not linger at the pillars after completing your stoning — move away immediately to make room.

Safety Tips for the Stoning

The stoning of the Jamarat is the most physically intense and crowd-heavy ritual of Hajj. These safety tips can protect you and those around you:

1. Go during off-peak hours. The least crowded times are generally late evening (after Isha) and early afternoon (right after Dhuhr on the 11th–13th). Avoid the morning rush on the 10th.
2. Stay hydrated. Carry water and drink before entering the Jamarat complex. See our health and fitness guide for more.
3. Wear sturdy sandals with ankle support. The ground is covered in pebbles and foot injuries are common.
4. Keep your belongings minimal. A small waist pouch for pebbles, phone, and ID only. Bulky bags create hazards in crowds.
5. Do not push or rush. Crowd anxiety causes more injuries than any structural issue. Move steadily with the flow.
6. Protect vulnerable companions. Keep women, the elderly, and children toward the outer edges away from the densest crowd points.
7. Do not stop in the flow path. If you need to rest, move to the side. Stopping in the middle of the crowd creates dangerous pressure buildups.
8. Know the emergency exits. Note their locations on your level when you first enter.
9. If you fall or someone near you falls: shout for the crowd to stop, form a protective circle, and help the person up immediately. Do not step over fallen individuals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Throwing all 7 pebbles at once. Each pebble must be thrown individually. Throwing a handful counts as only one throw.
• Using shoes, sandals, or large rocks. The Prophet ﷺ specified small pebbles. Using other objects is invalid and dangerous.
• Stoning the pillars in the wrong order. On the 11th–13th, the order must be Small → Middle → Large. Reversing this order may invalidate the stoning for that day (according to some scholars).
• Stoning before the valid time. Ensure you are stoning within the correct window for each day, according to the scholarly opinion you follow.
• Excessive anger during stoning. Some pilgrims scream and throw violently, imagining they are literally hitting Satan. The ritual is symbolic and spiritual — it should be performed calmly with dhikr, not rage.
• Collecting pebbles from the Jamarat basin. These have already been used and scholars generally recommend against reuse.
• Skipping the dua after the first and second pillars. Pausing to make dua after the small and middle pillar is a Sunnah that many pilgrims miss in their rush.
• Not verifying your pebble landed correctly. If you see your pebble clearly miss the basin, throw a replacement.

Scholarly Opinions on Key Questions

Can I Stone All Days on the Last Day?

If a pilgrim missed stoning on the 11th, can they make it up on the 12th? The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools allow making up missed stoning during the Ayyam al-Tashreeq. For example, if you missed the 11th, you can stone for both the 11th and 12th on the 12th — completing the 11th's stoning first, then the 12th's. The Hanafi school also allows this but considers the delay as requiring a penalty. It is always best to stone on the designated day.

What If a Pebble Hits Another Pilgrim?

If your pebble accidentally strikes another pilgrim before landing in the basin, the throw is still valid as long as the pebble ultimately reaches the target area. However, exercise care and aim properly to avoid injuring others.

Can I Pay the Penalty Instead of Stoning?

Missing the stoning without valid excuse requires a dam (penalty sacrifice of a sheep), but this does not mean you can choose to pay instead of performing the ritual. The penalty is for those who are unable or who make a genuine error, not for those who voluntarily skip it. If you are physically able, you must perform the stoning or appoint a proxy.

For more details on the overall Hajj ritual sequence and how stoning fits within it, see our how to perform Hajj complete guide and our best Hajj duas for each day for the recommended supplications during stoning.

Frequently Asked Questions