7. STANDING AT ‘ARAFA
STANDING AT ‘ARAFA
Then they enter ‘Arafa after the sunnah bath (ghusl) for standing at ‘Arafa, chanting “Labbayk” in lowliness and humility.
THE SUNNAS OF STANDING AT ‘ARAFA
It is recommended to stand exposed to the sun (and not take shade beneath a tent, umbrella, or other, unless there is an excuse such as harm from exposure) facing the direction of prayer (qibla) with one’s heart fully attentive and not occupied with this-worldly matters, and to do much of chanting “Labbayk,” reciting the Blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), asking Allah’s forgiveness, supplicating, and weeping, for her tears are shed and mistakes annulled.
The greater part of one’s words should be: “There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. His is the dominion, The praise, and He has power over everything.” And one should pray for one’s family, friends, and all Muslims.
It is recommended to stand (if possible without hurting anyone) by the large round boulders that lie at base of the hill called Jabal al-Rahma (lit. “Mount of Mercy”). As for climbing Jabal al-Rahma, which lies in the middle of ‘Arafa, there is no merit in doing so (above the merit of standing in other parts of ‘Arafa). Standing is valid anywhere in the whole expansive plain, and this bluff is merely a part of it, the same as any other, though standing by the boulders below is better (as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did so).
It is better to be mounted, and not fasting. It is best for women to sit at the edge of the crowd (not in the middle of it, because men should not randomly mix with women).
THE OBLIGATORY ELEMENTS OF STANDING AT ‘ARAFA
The obligatory elements of standing at ‘Arafa are:
a) to be present (while in ihram) in some portion of ‘Arafa;
b) while sane and in full possession of one’s faculties;
c) at some point between the noon prayer (zuhr) on 9 Dhul Hijja and dawn of the following day. (It is sunna to remain at ‘Arafa until sunset so as to include both night and day.) Anyone who is present and sane during any of this time, even if merely passing through for a moment, has accomplished the hajj (0: as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“The pilgrimage is ‘Arafa,”
meaning that most of it is ‘Arafa). Someone who misses standing at ‘Arafa or who spends it unconscious has missed the hajj, and he releases himself from ihram by performing the rites of ‘umrah; that is, by circumambulating, going between Safa and Marwah, and cutting his hair, and he is thus released from his ihram. Such a person is obliged to make up the hajj and to slaughter as do those who perform an ‘umrah first (tamattu’) hajj.
(Source: The reliance of the traveller, revised edition, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller)
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