*By Abubakarr Bah
Sierra Leonean pilgrims participating in the 1444/2024 Hajj in Makkah on Tuesday, 18th June,2024 returned to Makkah after successfully completing a 3-day ritual of the symbolic stoning of the “Jamarats”, which symbolises defiance against evil or Satan.
The pilgrims stayed in Mina, also known as “the City of the Tents”, for three days after their journey from Muzdalifa in the early hours of Sunday to participate in the symbolic stoning of the Jamarats.
On Sunday, 16th June, 2024, each pilgrim threw 7 pebbles at the “Jamaratul Aqabah.” Also on Monday and Tuesday, each pilgrim threw 7 peebles at each of the three “Jamarats;” the small one (“Al-Jamaratul Al-Sughra”), the medium one (“Al-Jamaratul Al-Wusta) and the big one (“Jamaratul Aqabah”).
The ritual stoning of the Jamarats commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) rejection of Satan’s temptations by stoning him.
During their stay in Makkah, the Sierra Leonean pilgrims are expected to join other faithfuls from around the world to perform the “Tawaf al-Ifadha, which involves circumambulation of the Kaaba seven times and then offering of 2 rakat of prayers behind Maqam Ibrahim and subsequently performing Sa’i (which is to walk or run) between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Sa’i is performed by pilgrims to commemorate the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajer, who ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah in search of water to quench the thirst of her infant child, Prophet Ismail (AS).
The act of Sa’i also teaches muslims the values of patience, hope and having faith in Allah.
By finishing the Sa’i, the Sierra Leonean pilgrims would have completed the four main pillars of the Hajj.
A total of Six Hundred and Thirty-eight pilgrims from Sierra Leone are performing the 1445/2024 Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
