Is it a condition to hit the pillar when stoning the pillars?

The questioner : When stoning the pillars, is it a condition to hit the pillar, or is it sufficient to aim toward the pillar?

The Shaykh : No, the intention is the basin; the pebbles must fall into the basin. It is not the intention to hit the pillar. Many people display the belief on this occasion that there is a devil waiting for the pilgrims to stone him, and this is a delusion among the general public. This is an act of worship, a purely devotional aspect, and it is not permissible for us to philosophize about it. Although its origin is that the devil appeared to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) there and tried to divert him from carrying out what Allah revealed to him, namely to slaughter his son Isma'il (peace be upon him) there. So the devil appeared, and he stoned him the first time, the second time, and the third time. But there is no devil lurking there waiting for the pilgrims to stone him. So it is a devotional act that serves as a reminder of that great and magnificent event, in which Allah (Mighty and Majestic) ransomed Isma'il (peace be upon him) with that great ram. So the intention is to stone the pillars in the place of the basin, and it is not the intention to hit such a pillar, because in my opinion this pillar was not erected in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This is sufficient, and perhaps we will meet you, if Allah wills, in a near opportunity regarding the rites of Hajj, and especially in Mina, if Allah wills (Blessed and Exalted is He).