Mina: : A Pilgrimage Destination and Ritual Site in Mecca
Location of Mina:
Mina is famous for being a tent city, which is about forty-five minutes away from Makkah towards Arafat and is about 5 km in distance. It stands approximately 3954 feet, or 1202 meters, or approximately one thousand, three hundred feet, or four hundred meters above sea level. To the west of Madinah Makkah Al-Aziziyah district, to the North of it there is the Fourth Ring Road, to the east of it there is Mujdalifa and to the south of it there is Al-Jamiah district. The three Jamarat in which pilgrims throw pebbles at the Jamarat ritual are an architectural system of buildings located at the western part of Mina.
Mina’s Capacity:
Three million pilgrims can remain in the roughly 100,000 air-conditioned tents that have been constructed in the area for pilgrims. It is prescribed that pilgrims stay at Mina on the eighth, eleventh, and twelfth days of Dhul Hijjah. This, the first part of the Hajj pilgrimage, is significant both religiously and historically.
Mina’s History
When Isma’il was a little boy, Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim left his wife Hajar and their kid in the Mecca region. Later, on his way back to Mecca to reunite with his family, he had a dream in which Allah told him to sacrifice his son in obedience. Satan stopped him from offering his kid as per the instruction of Allah and instructed him to stone the devil. This belief is performed at the Jamarat through the rites involving stoning.
However, a significant aspect in Mina is attached to Islam since it is the place that was chosen by the Allah to approve the pledge of allegiance with the Ansar, or supporters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the al-Aqabah event.
Mina, what do you need to do?
The Hajj pilgrimage begins in Mina. It is prescribed that pilgrims stay at Mina on the eighth, eleventh, and twelfth days of Dhul Hijjah. Residents of Makka who intend to undertake the Hajj as well as pilgrims (called Tamatto) will put on the ihram and go to Mina on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah. The people who arrived for Ifrad or Qiran Hajj (other kinds of Hajj) from outside the Miqat (the area where the ihram is allowed to be worn) will also enter Mina while wearing the ihram.
You will be required to perform the Dhuhr-Asr, Maghrib-Isha, and Fajr prayers the following day while in Mina. The Sunnah suggests that you offer these five prayers at Mina. It is important to give each prayer at the appointed hour.
On this day, it is advised (Mustahabb) to rest and get ready for the Hajj. It’s also advised to recite the Talbiyah often and to do Istighfar, which is the act of remembering Allah, as well as Dhikr, the act of remembering Allah. At this point if possible one should also study Hajj (Hajj Masail-Masa’il) rules and regulations, so as to be equipped with information.
It is recommended to pass the night in Mina exactly on the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah (Sunnah). However, its authenticity was somewhat weak and should be considered alongside the other alternatives Laylatul Jagr is a general term for any night that Muslims spend in Mina following this Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
So, Mina is a significant and traditional station in performing the Hajj journey, and it is situated close to Makkah with enormous millions of people’s tents. Religion plays an exceptional role on it because of occurrences of Prophet Ibrahim.The functions of Mina are present today as well and provide the visitors with a chance to worship, think, and commemorate the historical events of Islam.
