Arafat: About two million pilgrims from all corners of the globe gathered on Thursday on Mount Arafat, about 15 km east of Makkah, at the climax of this year’s annual pilgrimage of Hajj. Chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (O God, here I am answering Your call)…,” the white sea of humanity surged toward the vast plains of Arafat this morning, after spending a night of meditation and introspection in the Tent City of Mina Wednesday. The pilgrims moved into Arafat in an orderly and smooth fashion, thanks to the vast arrangements made by the Saudi authorities.
Sheikh Saad bin Nasser Al-Shitri delivered the Arafat sermon. He then led the prayers at the grand Namira Mosque. Retracting the noble tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said “Hajjj is Arafat”, pilgrims perform noon (Dhuhr) and evening (Asr) prayers, shortened and joined together, at the time of Duhr with one adhan and two iqamas, and then will immerse in prayers seeking forgiveness and mercy of Almighty Allah as well as for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah and for the world peace.
In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Shitri, urged the pilgrims to be pious and fear God in all walks of life. He also underscored the need to honor the dignity of all human beings. This resembled the famous farewell sermon of the Prophet (pbuh) when he performed his only Hajj. After the sermon, the Prophet stationed nearby the side of a hill called Jabal Al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy) and prayed until sunset.
The standing at Arafat, one of the four pillars of Hajj, would begin after noon prayers. Pilgrims are set to engage in prayers and supplication until after sunset. The Prophet said about the Arafat day: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Hell than the Day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, “What do these people want?”
Muslims across the world observed fasting on Thursday in a sign of solidarity with the pilgrims. It is a great Sunnah for those who do not perform Hajj to observe fasting on Arafat day.
HA/IINA
