Why do we throw stones at Jamarat during Hajj?

One of the important virtues of Hajj is to throw stones at Jamarat. Have you ever wondered why do we throw stones at Jamarat? Jamarat is the three stone pillars namely

• Jamarat-al-Ula’
• ‘Jamarat-al-Wusta’
• ‘Jamarat-al-Aqaba’

People throw stones at Jamarat to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s عليه السلام obedience towards Allah Almighty. Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام was given a task by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail عليه السلام. 

The sacrifice of the son of Prophet Ibrahim

When Prophet Ismail عليه السلام was born, Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام had to leave him and his wife alone in the desert in order to fulfill Allah’s command.

When he reunited with his family after eight years he dreamt thrice that Allah is demanding the sacrifice of his son, Prophet Ismail عليه السلام. One day he took Prophet Ismail عليه السلام with him who happily accompanied his father.

Upon reaching Mina, Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام asked his son’s opinion on the order of slaughter given to him by Allah Almighty. Prophet Ismail عليه السلام asked his father to carry Allah’s order.

Shaitan appeared 3 times

Shaitan then went to Ibrahim عليه السلام to convince him not to commit the sacrifice.

• He appeared at first Jamarat but Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام threw seven stones at him.
• On Ibrahim’s way, shaitan reappeared at second jamarat, again Ibrahim threw seven stones at him.
• The same reappearance of shaitan and his stoning by Ibrahim took place at third Jamarat.

Allah wanted to test the faith of Ibrahim عليه السلام, when he was about to slaughter his son, a sheep was sent to be replaced with Ismail عليه السلام. The stoning of the devil and sacrifice at Eid ul Adha both are done to follow Ibrahim عليه السلام Sunnah.