Date : 20-04-2010

Question :

What is the ruling of Sharia when a pilgrim throws the pebbles at the Jamarat while riding a means of transportation?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.



It is permissible for a pilgrim to throw the pebbles at the Jamarat while riding a means of transportation. In fact, it is better that he/she stones Jamrat Al-Aqaba on the day of Nahr (Day of sacrifice) while riding a means of transportation if he/she had entered Mena that way. However, he/she should throw the pebbles during the days of Tashreeq (Eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth of Dhul-Hijja) while on foot, except on the day of Nafr (I.e. departure from Mina on the twelfth or thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah). This is based on the narration of Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) who said: "I saw Allah's Apostle (PBUH) flinging pebbles while riding his camel on the Day of Nahr, and he was saying: Learn your rituals (by seeing me performing them), for I do not know whether I would be performing Hajj after this Hajj of mine." {Related by Muslim}.



It is worth noting that riding cars or any other means of transportation during the Hajj season is difficult nowadays, and the Saudi authorities don`t allow such a thing due to the massive numbers of pilgrims.



However, if there is another method that would enable pilgrims to throw the pebbles at the Jamarat while riding certain means of transportation, and without causing harm to others, then there is no harm in that. And Allah Knows Best.