MILLIONS GATHER FOR ‘WUKUF’
They pray for blessings, seek forgiveness on Day of Arafah
MALAYSIAN pilgrims, gathered here for wukuf yesterday, sought forgiveness for their sins and prayed for blessings for themselves and loved ones on the most auspicious day in Islam.
Numbering 30,200, they joined close to three million pilgrims from all corners of the globe here in the valley of Mount Arafah to mark the most important day of the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims could be seen climbing up the sides of Mount Arafah and taking up positions to pray on the rocks.
It is said that during wukuf or the Day of Arafah, the skies will open up and God will accept the sincere repentance and supplications from pilgrims.
Muslims who are not performing the haj are encouraged to fast to commemorate wukuf and Arafah, where Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon was delivered about 1,400 years ago and the message of Islam was completed.
On Sunday, a day before wukuf, there was a storm with very strong winds here, bufetting the tents of pilgrims.
The rare occurrence happened just before sundown and caused a power outage throughout the tent site, but did not dampen the spirit of pilgrims.
On the contrary, the rain was viewed as cleansing.
Tabung Haji (TH) head of the Malaysian 1439H haj delegation Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said Malaysian pilgrims were safe.
However, he said electricity supply had to be cut temporarily upon the orders of Saudi authorities to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the storm from 6.30pm (local time) to 8pm.
Some tents which were damaged have been repaired and electricity supply restored.
On the Day of Arafah yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, delivered the Arafah sermon at one of the tents here.
Mujahid, who had earlier visited pilgrims in their tents, said haj was the ultimate expression of submission to God.
He said it was thus important for pilgrims to exhibit better behaviour when they returned after performing the fifth pillar of Islam.
“You should steer clear of sin in your daily lives.
“It is your responsibility to ensure that the sanctity of Islam is preserved as best as you can throughout your lives.
He recounted what Prophet Muhammad said on his last sermon here and urged pilgrims to heed and take to heart the Prophet’s words.
In his sermon, the Prophet called on followers to repay their debts, beware of Satan, perform five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan and to donate to charity.
The Prophet called on those with the means to perform the haj once in a lifetime; reminded worshippers of the rights that women have; and said that no ethnic group or race has superiority over another except in piety and good action.
Mujahid said pilgrims should make full use of their time here as for most people, it would only come once in a lifetime.
“When we return to our homeland, we must use the haj as the point in our lives for change and spend our remaining years abiding by His commands.”
The congregation prayed to Allah to protect the ummah and for continued unity, peace and harmony among Malaysians.
After the sermon, pilgrims withdrew by themselves or in groups, and recited prayers and doa until sundown.
Pilgrims prayed that their sins be forgiven and asked the same for their families and friends. They asked God for guidance, assistance and protection from calamities and difficulties.
They left here after sundown and headed for Muzdalifah, where they spent the night under the open sky before heading for Mina.