Mountain Arafat is a granite hill about 20 km southeast of Makkah in the plain of Arafat. Mount Arafat reaches about 70 m in height and is known as Jabal ar-Rahmah “Mountain of Mercy”. According to Islamic tradition, the hill is the place where Mohammad (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.
The Day of Arafah is an Islamic holiday that falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic Calendar. It is the holiest day in the Islamic calendar, the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage, and the day after is the first day of Eid al-Adha.
At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat.
It was from this site that our prophet Mohammad gave one of his last sermons in the final year of his life. Some Muslims hold that part of the Quranic verse announcing that the religion of Islam had been perfected was revealed on this day.
On 9 Dhu al-Hijjah before noon, pilgrims arrive at Arafat, a barren plain some 20 km east of Makkah, where they stand in contemplative vigil, There, they offer supplications, repent and atone for their past sins, seek mercy of Almighty Allah, and listen to Islamic scholars giving sermons from near Mount Arafat.
Lasting from noon through sunset, this is known as ‘standing before Allah’ (wuquf), one of the most significant rites of Hajj. At Namrah Mosque, pilgrims offer Zuhr and Asr prayers together at noon time.
A pilgrim’s Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Arafat.
Arafat day is called a prayer day, especially for people who stand on Mount Arafat. On the Day of Arafah, those who cannot make it to Makkah will go to other holy places such as mosques to recite Arafah prayer.
Fasting on the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims is a highly recommended Sunnah which that entails a great reward; Allah forgives the sins of two years. It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that Mohammad was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he replied: It expiates for the past and coming years.
Every Muslim is a brother to another Muslim, and the world’s Muslims are brothers to each other, and nothing from the property of a Muslim is lawful for another Muslim unless he has acquired it willingly. Be very sincere and simple in your heart to remember God and make a new covenant with yourself and by doing this you will understand Arafah well.
The gathering of nearly two million of Muslims in Arafat shows unity among Muslims; therefore, it is considered as a symbol of unity and brotherhood.
Zarabi
Arafat gathering a symbol of Muslims’ unity
