The ruling on washing the pebbles for stoning and applying perfume to them

This message reached us from the listener Sharaf Sa'dun al-Sharif, an Iraqi national. He says: I performed Hajj with my mother, and I collected pebbles for her from Muzdalifah for all the stoning. She asked me to wash the pebbles and apply perfume to them, and I told her: I have done so, and I was lying; because I had no time. What is the ruling on her request to wash the pebbles and apply perfume to them, and what is the ruling on my lying to my mother? Is my Hajj accepted or not?
Answer: As for washing the pebbles and applying perfume to them, there is no basis for this. The pebbles are not to be washed or perfumed. They are taken and used for stoning. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not wash them or perfume them, and he is the one to be followed, the model to be emulated, and the legislator. Therefore, it is not recommended to wash the pebbles or apply perfume to them. Rather, they are to be used for stoning. They are taken from the earth and used for stoning. This is what is prescribed. As for his saying to his mother—tell your mother, O questioner—that you did it, that you washed them and perfumed them, while lying, you must repent to Allah and seek forgiveness, and not return to such a thing. Your Hajj is valid, with the praise of Allah. This does not harm your Hajj; it is only a deficiency. A deficiency in the Hajj, a deficiency in the religion: lying. So you must seek forgiveness and repent. It was obligatory for you to say to her: O my mother! This is not recommended. O my mother! It is not recommended to wash them or perfume them, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do it, nor did his Companions. And we must emulate them. Teach her according to the Sunnah, because she is ignorant. Teach her. But perhaps you were also ignorant and did not know the Sunnah. So the result is that there is no blame on you regarding your Hajj. Your Hajj is valid, and you must repent and seek forgiveness for your lie. And you must know that washing the pebbles and applying perfume to them is not recommended and is not prescribed; rather, it is a religious innovation. So you must teach the people. Teach your brothers and the group with you in whatever Hajj you performed, and in whatever gathering, tell them: This thing is not prescribed. And I hope from whoever heard this statement and this program that if he hears a benefit, he conveys it to others. My advice to my brother listeners is to convey what they hear of benefit, because knowledge is spread this way through transmission. The Prophet (peace be upon him), when he addressed the people, would say to them: And he would say: , (peace and blessings be upon him). So it is upon us, O brothers, to convey knowledge, to advise one another to truth, and to cooperate in righteousness and piety, so that knowledge spreads. If you transmit the benefit, and the other person transmits the benefit, and the woman transmits the benefit to her sisters and relatives, and the other woman transmits it, the knowledge expands and multiplies. So my advice to the listeners is always to transmit knowledge when they hear it from this program—or others—Nur 'ala al-Darb. If they hear a benefit from the scholars, they should spread it in their gatherings and in their conversations among themselves, so that knowledge becomes widespread. Whether it relates to creed and sincerity to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and caution against associating partners with Allah, or it relates to prayer, or fasting, or Hajj, or transactions. In any case, transmitting knowledge is required, from men and from women. It is upon all of you, O listeners, men and women, to convey what you hear of benefit in every place you can. May Allah grant everyone success and guidance. Yes.