Resolution No. 3 of the Saudi Authority of Senior Scholars, dated 13 Sha‘baan, 1392 A.H.

Ruling on throwing Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah before sunrise on the ‘Eed Day

All perfect praise be to Allah Alone, and may Allah Send blessing and peace upon him after whom there is no Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions. In reference to letter No. 22310, of His Elevated Rank, dated 04 Thul-Qa‘dah, 1391 A.H., about the approval of the proposal made by his Eminence, the President of Administrations of Scientific Researches, Iftaa’, Da‘wah and Irshaad, that the Authority of Senior Scholars should discuss the ruling on throwing Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah before sunrise on the ‘Eed Day, and throwing it on the night of the first Day of Tashreeq; the ruling on hastening to throw the pebbles before the sun leaves the middle of the sky on the Days of Tashreeq; and the ruling on throwing the pebbles on the nights of the Days of Tashreeq.

What has been prepared by the Permanent Committee of Scientific Researches and Iftaa’, about throwing the pebbles, has been presented to the Council of the Authority of Senior Scholars in its second cycle held in Sha‘baan 1392 A.H., and it includes the following issues:

a) Ruling on throwing Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah before sunrise on the ‘Eed Day;

b) Ruling on throwing Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah on the night prior to the Day of Qarr (11th of Thul-Hijjah);

c) Ruling on throwing the pebbles before the sun leaves the middle of the sky on the Days of Tashreeq;

d) Ruling on throwing the pebbles on the nights of the second and third Days of Tashreeq.

After studying the issues mentioned above, and coming through the opinions of scholars, and consultation, the Council decides:

1)  It is permissible to throw Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah after midnight on the Day of Nahr, for the weak, from among women, elderly men, and those who are disabled as well as those who accompany them to look after their affairs, due to the Prophetic Ahadeeth and traditions which make it permissible to do so.

2)  It is impermissible to throw the pebbles before the sun leaves the middle of the sky on the Days of Tashreeq, as supported by his deed and statement: "Take (and learn) your rituals (of Hajj) from me", and the statement of Ibn ‘Umar concerning the Days of Tashreeq: "We would wait for the time of throwing pebbles until whenever the sun left the middle of the sky, then we would throw."

It is well-known that the Messenger of Allah is the most knowledgeable, the truest in his advice and the most merciful of all people. Had it been permissible to throw pebbles before the sun leaves the middle of the sky, he would have clarified it.

3)  Apart from that, the dispute between the scholars over all debatable issues, as regards the rituals referred to above, is known and recorded in the books of rituals and others; and people still act upon that. It is due on the pilgrim to imitate the Messenger of Allah in his deeds and sayings, as much as is possible, in view of his statement: "Take (and learn) your rituals (of Hajj) from me."

Concerning those debatable issues, the Council thinks that it is due on common people to seek the religious opinion of the one whose faith, honesty and knowledge are reliable, and follow the one of whom he seeks his religious opinion.

Success lies with Allah; and may Allah Send blessing and peace upon Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.