Muzdalifah Valley, Sacred valley in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Muzdalifah Valley is a sacred plain between Mina and Arafat in Mecca that extends over twelve square kilometers and is surrounded by rocky hills. The open landscape provides space for millions of believers who spend a night here during the Hajj journey.
Before Islam, certain tribes such as the Quraysh, Banu Kinanah, and Banu Khuza'a established their settlements here. These groups stayed at this location instead of gathering with others at Mount Arafat.
Pilgrims collect small stones from the ground to use the next day in the Jamarat ceremony. This act connects millions of people in a shared ritual that has been part of religious tradition for centuries.
The plain fills during the night between the ninth and tenth day of Dhul Hijjah, when pilgrims arrive from Arafat and stay until the morning prayer. Visitors should be prepared for large crowds and limited infrastructure during this period.
Al-Mashar Al-Haram, a mosque structure without a closed roof, stands in the middle of the plain and marks the place where believers perform the evening and night prayers together. This open structure allows thousands to pray simultaneously under the open sky.
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