Doha, July 08 (QNA) -Since the sunrise of this day, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrims began to flock from Mina, after spending the day of At-Tarwiyah, to Arafat to perform the greatest pillar of the pilgrimage on a solemn journey of faith, shaded by the mercy of the Creator and the care of the Most Merciful.
The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, since it is on this day the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. In fact, one hadith says that Hajj is Arafah'. This means Arafah is the sum and substance of Hajj.
The day of Arafah is also significant because this amazing ayah was revealed on this day:"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." (Surah al Maa'idah 5:3) The Professor of Jurisprudence and its Fundamentals at the College of Sharia, Qatar University Dr. Turki Obeid Al-Marri, explained that the Day of Arafah is the largest ritual on this great religious occasion, although it does not include any physical work except supplication, because the pilgrims gathered in one place like an overflowing sea of humanity that cannot be distinguished.
Regarding the validity of Hajj for those who left the borders of Upper Arafah, he stressed that every person standing in Arafah during the day must remain until the sun sets, and if he goes out and returns before sunset, there is no sin on him.
Dr. Turki Al-Marri indicated that the places of the holy sites are endowments, and it is not permissible to increase or decrease their horizontal area despite the increase in the number of Muslims and their desire to establish this ritual, but if the place is full and these pure places overflow with their people and their rows or tents are connected beyond the established limits, whether in Mina or Arafah or Muzdalifah, then the Hajj is valid.
The day of Arafah falls on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah. It is expected to fall on 8 July 2022, although this is subject to the sighting of the moon.
The Day of Arafah fasting is highly encouraged and recommended for those not going on Hajj. "Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year." (Muslim) It is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to recite the Tahleel, Takbeer, and Tahmeed as many times as possible on the day of Arafah, and also on the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "On this day, Allah, the most Exalted, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His servants on the earth and says to those in heavens, look at My servants, they have come from far and near, with hair dishevelled and faces covered with dust, to seek my Mercy. Even if their sins are as much the sand or the froth of the sea, I shall forgive them." (QNA)