Makkah
Mina · Arafat · Muzdalifah
The Mashair - the three sacred stations of Hajj.
What are Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah in Hajj?
The three Mashair are the sacred stations of Hajj. Mina houses pilgrims in tents on 8, 11-13 Dhul-Hijjah and is where the Jamarat are stoned. Arafat is the day of Hajj (9 Dhul-Hijjah) where standing (Wuquf) is the greatest rite. Muzdalifah is where pilgrims spend the night of the 9th-10th and gather pebbles for Rami.
Significance & history
Mina is the plain about 8 km east of Makkah where the Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ attempted the sacrifice of Isma'il ﷺ. Arafat is the plain 20 km east where the Prophet ﷺ gave his Farewell Sermon. Muzdalifah lies between them and is where the Qur'an commands pilgrims to remember Allah 'at al-Mash'ar al-Ḥarām' (2:198).
【BOOK】 The author's day-by-day account of 8-13 Dhul-Hijjah in the Mashair appears here.
Role in the ritual
Day 8 (Tarwiyah): stay in Mina. Day 9 (Arafah): morning to sunset at Arafat, then travel to Muzdalifah for maghrib+isha and the night. Day 10 (Nahr): Muzdalifah to Mina - Rami of Jamrat al-Aqabah, Qurbani, Halq, then Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i. Days 11-13 (Tashriq): Rami of all three Jamarat each afternoon in Mina.
Etiquette
- Follow your operator's designated Mashair transport - do not wander off.
- Conserve water and shade at Arafat; heatstroke is the biggest risk.
- Sleep is optional at Muzdalifah; the ma'moor act is the night stay and gathering pebbles.
- During Rami do not push, insult, or throw large stones - small pea-sized pebbles only.
Key Facts
Wuquf at Arafat is Hajj - without it the Hajj is invalid.
Mina's tent city and Nusuk-managed camps are your operator's package tier.
Muzdalifah is the only Mashair where an outdoor open-air stay is prescribed.
The Nusuk Hajj permit QR is scanned at every Mashair entry gate.
Visitor information
- Location
- East of Makkah: Mina (~8 km), Muzdalifah (~13 km), Arafat (~20 km)
- Timings
- Occupied only during Hajj days (8-13 Dhul-Hijjah).
- - Memorise your Mina camp number and street - it is easy to get lost.
- - Keep your Nusuk QR, hotel key card, and a small water bottle on your person.
- - Rest during the day of Arafah before the long night at Muzdalifah.