Dhu Al Hijja 11 - Fourth Day of Haj, 2012

Pilgrims pray after casting seven stones at a pillar that symbolises Satan, during the annual Haj pilgrimage on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

Muslims pray after casting seven stones at a pillar that symbolises Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

Muslim pilgrims arrive in the Saudi Arabian town of Mina to cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan, as part of a Haj pilgrimage rite, on the second day of Eid al-Adha. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

A child throws a pebble at pillars during the stoning of Sata, the 'Jamarat' ritual, near the holy city of Mecca. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

A man chooses his pebbles to throw at pillars during the 'Jamarat' ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

A woman wearing a full-faced veil cries as she prays after casting seven stones at a pillar that symbolises Satan on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

Muslim pilgrims pray after casting seven stones at a pillar that symbolises Satan, as part of a pilgrimage rite, on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

People sit in the shade before heading to pray in the Grand Mosque during the annual Haj in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hassan Ammar / AP Photo

Muslim women pray during Haj in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mecca. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

After offering dawn prayers in Mina, pilgrims spend the day in contemplation and prayers and after midday they head out to perform the rock-throwing ritual a the three stone pillars in consecutive order.

This occurs the next day and with an extra third day as option. Each stone-throwing consists of seven pebbles, with each pilgrim calmly uttering "Allah Akbar" (God is Great) and offering a personal prayer. Each pillar has its own story. The biggest pillar represents Abraham's resisting the Devil, prompting to disobey God and save his son from being sacrificed as God initially commanded. The second pillar signifies Abraham's wife, Hagar, resisting Satan whisperings to stop her husband from carrying out the sacrifice. The third and smallest pillar represents Ismaeil rebuking the devil's suggestions to ask his father to spare him. Ultimately all three pillars represents man's victory over temptation. With each throw, pilgrims cast aside their base desires and reorient ourselves to God's commands.

*Saeed Saeed

More pictures from Haj

• Dhu Al Hijja 12 – Final Day of Haj, 2012

• Dhu Al Hijja 10 – Third Day of Haj, 2012

• Dhu Al Hijja 9 – Second Day of Haj, 2012

• Dhu Al Hijja 8 – First Day of Haj, 2012