Pilgrims begin Hajj rites as “Arafaat holds tomorrow
All pilgrims will formally begin this year’s Hajj Friday, August 9, 2019 which is equivalent to Dhul-Hijjah 8, 1440AH by putting on the two garments of Ihraam and making intention to perform Hajj.
They will now go to Mina on the day to pray the Dhuhr (afternnon), ‘Asr (late afternoon), Maghrib (evening), ‘Ishai (night) and Fajr (dawn) prayers at their specific times, shortening those which are four units (rak’ahs) to two but without combining them.
On Saturday, August 10, 2019, which is the 9th day of the 12th month of Islamic calendar, known as the Day of ‘Arafaat, the pilgrims will proceed toward ‘Arafaat in a dignified manner. At ‘Arafaat, they will observe Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers by shortening and combining them during the time of Dhuhr.
When the sun has set, the 1,819,790 pilgrims performing Hajj this year will proceed toward Muzdalifah where they will combine the Maghrib and ‘Ishai prayers, shortening the ‘Ishai to two units.
They will stay at Muzdalifah until they have observed the Fajr prayer and remain there until the brightness of the morning becomes apparent though before sunrise.
Also at Muzdalifah, the pilgrims should pick up seven pebbles to throw at the stone pillar (Jamarah) of ‘Aqabah in Mina.
The significance of ‘Arafaat
The Day of ‘Arafaat is an Islamic holiday that falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic Calendar. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Arafah which is also called the Day of repentance and acceptance of supplications is the culmination of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) in Islam.
After sunrise on this blessed day, millions of pilgrims went to the plain of ‘Arafaat, also known as Mount ‘Arafaat, located near the city of Makkah.
It was a special day that Allah completed and perfected Islam as religion. It is the “Sunnah” of Prophet Muhammad to fast on that day (if he was not performing hajj) as it wipes off the sins of the previous year and the coming year”.
However, fasting on this day is aimed only at non-pilgrims - pilgrims do not need to fast on Arafat’s Day, because the Prophet did not fast on that day in ‘Arafaat. The Holy Prophet emphasizes its importance in another hadith narrated by AbdurRahman bin Yamar: “Hajj is Arafaat, Hajj is Arafaat, Hajj is ‘Arafaat.”