Sacred stand at Arafat as spiritual journey of 1.8 million pilgrims reaches its zenith

Arafat, June 15: Marking the apex of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, over 1.8 million pilgrims began their main ritual of standing at Arafat on Saturday afternoon after ascending the vast plains earlier in the day.

Chanting ‘Labbaik Alla- humma Labbaik (O Allah, here I am answering Your call),” the pilgrims flocked to Namira Masjid in Arafat, about 20 km southeast of the Grand Masjid in Makkah, after a night of meditation and introspection in the Tent City of Mina.

Male pilgrims in seamless white clothes — resembling a white sea of humanity — and women in their Abayas are now spending the most crucial hours of their life- time spiritual journey.

Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, Imam and preacher of the Grand Masjid in Makkah, delivered the Arafat sermon at the grand Namira Masjid, echoing the famous farewell sermon of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during his only Hajj.

In his sermon, Sheikh Al- Muaiqly urged all Muslims to obey Allah’s commands and avoid His prohibitions to attain victory, salvation, and happiness in both this world and the hereafter.

“Hajj is a manifestation of showing sincerity in worshipping Allah and it is not a place for political slogans,” he emphasised.

Sheikh Al-Muaiqly stressed the importance of safeguarding religion, self, mind, money, and honour, as this would lead to stability, security, and the ability for people to achieve their religious and worldly interests, apart from winning Allah’s pleasure.

He also prayed for the Palestinians, who have suffered from bloodshed, unrest, and
lack of access to essentials.

The Saudi Arafat sermon translation initiative is projected to reach a staggering one billion listeners worldwide, translated into 20 languages.

After the sermon, Sheikh Al-Muaiqly led the combined and shortened noon (Dhuhr) and evening (Asr) prayers with one Adhaan and two Iqamas.

Pilgrims joined the prayers at and around Namira Masjid, then started performing the Standing
(Wuqoof) at Arafat.

Wuqoof Arafat, one of the four pillars of Hajj, begins after noon prayers.