Nearly 1.7 million Muslims from around the world are currently completing the final stages of Hajj in Saudi Arabia, one of the most significant journeys in a Muslim’s life. The final part of the pilgrimage includes the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, known in Arabic as Ramy al-Jamarat, followed by the farewell Tawaf around the Ka’bah in the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The stoning ritual takes place over several days following Eid al-Adha and represents the rejection of Shaytan (Satan) and his whispers. It recalls the moment when Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was commanded by Allah to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be upon him). On his way, Satan tried to stop him three times—once to Ibrahim (peace be upon him), once to his wife Hajar (peace be upon her), and then to his son.

Each time, Ibrahim (as) threw stones at Satan to drive him away, acting on guidance from the angel Jibril. Pilgrims today follow this tradition by throwing pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina, known as the Jamarat, which represent the locations where Satan appeared.

The Hajj officially started on Wednesday and will end on Monday. According to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics, 1.673 million people are performing Hajj this year, with over 1.5 million arriving from abroad. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised this year’s smooth Hajj operation, which involved over 213,000 security and military personnel. Saudi authorities stressed the success of the "No Hajj Without a Permit" policy in managing crowds and ensuring pilgrims’ safety. As the blessed days of Hajj come to an end, Muslims reflect on the sacrifices and obedience shown by Prophet Ibrahim and his family, asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance and reward.