Curious about what happens to the pebbles thrown during the Jamarat ritual? Read this article to learn interesting facts and the rules that apply!
The Jamarat ritual is one of the pillars of Hajj performed by pilgrims in Mina, Saudi Arabia. In this ritual, pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of the pillars called Jamarat, representing the devil. Jamarat symbolizes the rejection of Satan's temptations and the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
But have you ever wondered what happens to the pebbles thrown by millions of Hajj pilgrims every year? Are they discarded, collected, or reused? Here's the complete explanation!
Jamarat Pebbles are Not Ordinary Stones
The pebbles used for Jamarat are not ordinary stones that can be found anywhere. These pebbles must meet specific criteria, such as being white, clean, unbroken, hole-free, rust-free, and never used before for Jamarat.
These pebbles must also come from Muzdalifah, a place between Arafah and Mina, where Hajj pilgrims collect them before heading to Mina. The number of pebbles to be collected is either 49 or 70, depending on the number of days spent in Mina.
Jamarat Pebbles are Cleaned and Recycled
After being thrown by the pilgrims, Jamarat pebbles are not simply discarded. They are collected by sanitation workers under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Public Works. These pebbles are then taken to a special facility to be cleaned and recycled.
Jamarat pebbles are cleaned using special washing machines capable of cleaning around 100 tons of pebbles per hour. They are also sorted based on size and quality. Pebbles that are still suitable for use are stored in warehouses to be reused in the following year.
Pebbles that are not suitable for use are crushed into sand or fine aggregates used for infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia, such as roads, buildings, or parks. Thus, Jamarat pebbles serve a purpose and benefit society.
Jamarat Pebbles Should Not be Taken as Souvenirs
Although Jamarat pebbles hold spiritual significance for Hajj pilgrims, they should not be taken as souvenirs or brought back to their home countries. This is because Jamarat pebbles belong to Allah SWT and should not be possessed by humans.
Moreover, taking Jamarat pebbles violates the regulations of the Saudi Arabian government, which prohibit the collection or sale of these pebbles. If caught, Hajj pilgrims can face administrative penalties or fines.
Therefore, it is advisable for Hajj pilgrims to respect the Jamarat pebbles and not take them as souvenirs. Jamarat pebbles are a means to draw closer to Allah SWT and should not be displayed or boasted about.
That concludes the short article I have written about the explanation of the Jamarat ritual and what happens to the pebbles thrown by Hajj pilgrims. I hope this article has been informative and has expanded your knowledge.
0 Comments