We have already written a number of posts on Hajj which can be read from links given in our reference pages at the end of this post. this post today is exclusive to the Day of Arfah, the actual day of Hajj, that falls on the 9th of Dhull Hijja.
The pilgrims who arrive many days before the Hajj day, perform Umrah (also called the minor Hajj) and stay in Makkah. They are housed in the specially erected tent village in Mina, outside Makkah. The enormous tent village is big enough to house more than 3 million pilgrims, well stocked with provisions and other water. Why water is specially mentioned becasue Makkah on its own does not have any water resources and the water is brought to Makkah in special tankers and pipelines for these 3 million or even more pilgrims which nevver runs dry even for a minute.
On the 9th Dhull Hijjah, all pilgrims leave Mina and travel a distance of 14 kilometres to the plains of Arafat, adjacant to the Mount Arafat, where they will stay till afternoon. The pilgrims also throng the Mount Arafat (جَبَل عَرَفَات, romanized: Jabal ʿArafāt), and by its other Arabic name, Jabal ar-Raḥmah (Arabic: جَبَل ٱلرَّحْمَة, lit. 'Mountain of mercy'). It is a small hillock on the palins of Arafat which is approximately 70 m (230 ft) in height, with its highest point sitting at an elevation of 454 metres (1,490 ft), shown in the photo below. It was the mount on which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his his historic sermon during his only Hajj that he performed in his lifetime in 10 AD.
Once the pilgrims reach plains of Arafat, they get busy in prayers and remembering Allah, repenting their sins and misdeeds and seeking Divine forgiveness.
Pilgrims throng the plains of Arafat and the Mount Arafat (Photo)
Key Actions of Hajis on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah):
1. Travel to the Plain of Arafat: After sunrise, Hajis leave Mina and travel about 14 km to the Plain of Arafat. They stay in a large open field near the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah).
2. Wuquf at Arafat (The Standing): The main ritual is the "Wuquf", or standing before Allah in deep reflection and prayer. It begins after noon (Dhuhr) and lasts until sunset (Maghrib). Pilgrims stand, sit, or raise their hands in prayer, pleading for Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. It is considered the core of Hajj — the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Hajj is Arafah.” (Sunan al-Nasa’i)
3. Listening to the Khutbah (Sermon): A sermon (khutbah) is delivered at Masjid Namirah, addressing the significance of the day, unity of Muslims, and submission to Allah.
4. Performing Combined Prayers: Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together (jam’ and qasr, i.e., shortened and combined). These prayers are led by the Imam at Masjid Namirah.
5. Dua and Repentance: Pilgrims make intense du’a (supplication) throughout the day. It is a day of tears, repentance, and seeking closeness to Allah.
At the midday, the Hajj Sermon, called Khutba of Hajj, is given by the Imam of Masjid an-Namirah (Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلنَّمِرَة) or Masjid Nimrah (Arabic: مَسْجِد نِمْرَة), located in Waadi Urana.
The Hajj khutbah (sermon) is delivered from Masjid Al-Namirah (above) and Zuhr and Asr prayers are prayed together in the Arafat valley.
6. Departing to Muzdalifah: After sunset, pilgrims do not pray Maghrib at Arafat. They leave for Muzdalifah (about 9 km away) and pray Maghrib and Isha there. They also collect pebbles for the next day’s ritual of stoning the Jamarat.
Key Notes:
- Missing Arafah invalidates Hajj.
- It is a day when millions of pilgrims unite in a single act of devotion.
- It mirrors the Day of Judgment, with people standing in humility before God.
Fasting on Day of Arafah
Often a question is asked about fasting on the Day of Arfah. It is clariefied that those performing Hajj are not required to fast on the Day of Arfah, even not allowed to. However, Muslims who are not on Hajj are strongly encouraged to fast on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” — Sahih Muslim
You may like to watch a video of Hajj 2022 showing pilgrims around Masjid Nimrah for the midday prayer and to listen to the Hajj Sermon:
To know more about Hajj, please refer to our reference pages:
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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