Morethan 2 million Haj pilgrims have begun to convene on Mount Arafat to mark the most important ritual of the holy pilgrimage.
Mount Arafat ritual is the most important ritual in the annual Haj pilgrimage. Today is the Day of Arafat and any pilgrim that missed the gathering is considered not to have performed hajj for that particular year. Pilgrims, who are on Mount Arafat are expected to fast, which vitiates sins of two years.
Mount Arafat is an annual pilgrimage that re-enacts the actions of Prophet Muhammad from more than 1,400 years ago.
Millions of the pilgrims on Tuesday night began moving from Makkah to Mina, where the main Haj rites are expected to take place. Traffic gridlock was visible in many Makkah cities leading to Mina.
Wearing two white, unstitched pieces of cloth for men known as the “Ihram” and any loose-fitting clothing for women, the pilgrims climbed steps built into the hill where the Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon. In what looked like an unbroken sea of white, the pilgrims marched to the top, reciting prayers and supplications, Reported The National Newspaper.
The rite involves an extremely sombre mood at the plain, with many spending their time in prayer and introspection. Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef yesterday during a sensitisation lecture on expectations while in Mina, said: “Mina is one of the four sacred places the pilgrims will visit and reside there for the next five days”.
According to him, the pilgrims will move from Mina to Arafat where they will remain until sunset, making supplications. “They will then proceed to Muzdalifah and stay for the night. The next morning, they will return to Mina and wait for the time schedule that will be released by the Saudi Government to proceed to Jamarat for throwing of pebbles, which will last for three days,” he said.
He added that the rites will be rounded off with Tawaf Ifadah at the ancient Kaaba in Makkah as well as the Safa and Marwa. Pilgrims are expected to be in their Ihram for the first three days in mina.
Abdul Lateef urged pilgrims to ensure strict compliance with rules and regulations guiding the exercise. He urged Muslims, who are not in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, to fast on the day of Arafat to have their sins of two years forgiven as said by Prophet Muhammad.
In his message, Chief Imam of the two holy mosques, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Sudais, implored the pilgrims to exercise patience with one another on the Mount Arafat and other areas so that their prayers can be accepted, saying that orderliness will prevent stampede and other unfortunate incident during the exercise. The Imam said people should not associate partner with Allah because it is a great sin.
Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam and undertaking it is considered an obligation for Muslims at least once during their lives, if they can afford to do so.
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