Is the Replacement of the Pillars at the Mount of Mercy With a Wall Problematic?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum

1. Why a symbol of satan (which is a white pillar) is on the Mount of Mercy?

2. Why was it changed to wall?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

The pillars are markers indicating (a) the Mount of Mercy (jabal al-rahma) and (b) the place where the pelting is to take place. The replacement with a wall at the place of stoning was seemingly in light of safety considerations. Note that the pillar is not intended in and of itself, rather, it is a means to fulfil the obligation by demarcating the place at which the pelting is to occur.

Please also see: A Hajj Reader

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.

Photo: Omar Chatriwala of Al Jazeera English