The gathering on Arafat during Hajj is made on the 9th of Zil Hajjah. Known as the "Day of Arafah," this occasion is widely considered the most significant day of the Islamic pilgrimage. In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explicitly stated,... Read More
The gathering on Arafat during Hajj is made on the 9th of Zil Hajjah. Known as the "Day of Arafah," this occasion is widely considered the most significant day of the Islamic pilgrimage. In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explicitly stated, "Hajj is Arafah," signifying that the entire pilgrimage is incomplete without the presence of the pilgrims on the plains of Arafat on this specific date. This ritual, known as Wuquf-e-Arafat (The Standing at Arafat), occurs on the second day of Hajj and the day before the major Eid al-Adha festivities begin.
The history of the Plain of Arafat stretches back to the very beginnings of human history in Islamic tradition. It is narrated that after being descended to Earth, Prophet Adam and Hawwa (Eve) were reunited on this very plain after years of separation. The small hill located on the plain, known as Jabal al-Rahmah or the Mount of Mercy, marks the spot where they were said to have met and where their repentance was accepted by the Almighty. This historical meeting gives the area its name; "Arafat" is derived from the Arabic root word ‘arafa, which means "to know" or "to recognize," symbolizing the place where humanity recognized its Creator and its own purpose.
One of the most defining moments in the history of the 9th of Zil Hajjah occurred in the year 10 AH (632 CE). During his final pilgrimage, known as Hujjat al-Wada (The Farewell Pilgrimage), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood on the slopes of Mount Arafat and delivered the Farewell Sermon to more than 100,000 companions. This sermon established the core principles of human rights, equality, and social justice in Islam. He abolished usury, declared the sanctity of life and property, and emphasized that no race or ethnicity is superior to another except through piety. The delivery of this sermon solidified Arafat as a site of profound legal and ethical transformation for the Muslim world.
The ritual of the gathering begins after the sun passes its meridian (Zawal) on the 9th of Zil Hajjah. Pilgrims travel from the valley of Mina to the vast, open plains of Arafat, where they remain until sunset. During these hours, the atmosphere is one of intense prayer and reflection. At the Masjid al-Namirah, a sermon is delivered, and the Dhuhr and Asr prayers are combined and shortened, following the Prophetic tradition.
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