Short answer
Stoning (rami) is wajib in Hajj: seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqabah on 10 Dhul Hijjah, then seven at each of the three pillars on the 11th and 12th after midday, and on the 13th if you stay. Someone else may stone for you only if you are truly unable, such as through illness or disability. Missing it requires a dam.
Rami is wajib. On the 11th and 12th it is valid only after zawal (midday) and may continue through the night until dawn. A sick or disabled person who cannot reach the jamarat may appoint a deputy, who stones for himself first. Leaving all of it, or a whole day's stoning, requires one dam; leaving a few pebbles requires sadaqah for each.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i and Hanbali
- A missed day's stoning may be made up on a later day of tashreeq without a dam, and night stoning is allowed.
Explanation
The Quran says "remember Allah during numbered days", and stoning the jamarat at Mina is one of the main acts of that remembrance. Jabir said the Prophet ﷺ stoned on the day of sacrifice in the morning and on the following days after the sun had passed its height.
- 10th: only Jamrat al-Aqabah (the large pillar). Best from sunrise to midday; valid until dawn on the 11th, and at night without dislike for women, the elderly and the weak. Stop the talbiyah with the first pebble.
- 11th and 12th: all three, in order: the small, the middle, then al-Aqabah. After the first two, stand aside, face the qiblah and make dua. Not before midday.
- 13th: wajib if you are still in Mina at dawn. You may leave on the 12th, ideally before sunset.
- Pebbles: the size of a chickpea, thrown one at a time. Seven thrown together count as one. Do not use stones from the basin.
- Hitting: the pebble must land in or near the basin. Hitting the pillar and falling in counts.
- Missed a day: stone it later, before sunset on the 13th, in the right order. In Abu Hanifa's view, which is followed, a dam is still due for the delay.
Stoning on someone's behalf: allowed for someone too ill or disabled to stand or reach the jamarat, even at night. Crowds alone are not an excuse for a healthy woman or man, since the night is open to them. The deputy throws his own seven at each pillar, then seven for the other person. For penalties, see dam, and for the day-by-day plan, our Hajj guide.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:203
۞ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ فَمَن تَعَجَّلَ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَن تَأَخَّرَ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ لِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٢٠٣﴾
And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days. Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days - there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] - there is no sin upon him - for him who fears Allah. And fear Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered.
The days of Mina and the choice to leave after two days.
Sahih Muslim 1299
Sahih... رمى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الجمرة يوم النحر ضحى وأما بعد فإذا زالت الشمس ...
"The Messenger of Allah stoned the jamrah on the day of sacrifice in the forenoon, and after that, once the sun had passed its height."
The times of stoning.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1746
Sahih... كنا نتحين فإذا زالت الشمس رمينا ...
"We used to wait for the time, and when the sun passed its height we stoned."
Stoning on the days of tashreeq is after midday.
Sunan Ibn Majah 3029
Grading to be checked... أمثال هؤلاء فارموا ثم قال يا أيها الناس إياكم والغلو في الدين ...
"Throw ones like these. Then he said: O people, beware of going to extremes in religion."
Small pebbles, and no excess, such as throwing shoes or large rocks.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, on stoning at Mina. The times of stoning and its order; stoning before zawal on the 11th and 12th is not valid.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, on deputising in stoning. Only one unable to stone may appoint a deputy.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj, on stoning in the days of tashreeq. Making up a missed day within tashreeq.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.