Staying overnight in Mina on the eve of ‘Arafat [10]

 Staying overnight at Mina on the eve of ‘Arafat

On yawm at-tarwiyyah, a pilgrim proceeds to Mina where he is to pray dhuhr (noon). He is to spend the night there and pray the fajr (dawn) prayer of the day of ‘Arafat. Spending the night at Mina is a sunnah and omitting the overnight stay does not entail any consequences. A pilgrim is

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not blameworthy if he does not spend the night at Mina. If he spends the night at ‘Arafat instead, his hajj is valid and he is not blameworthy especially if this is the course taken by his companions in his group.

A pilgrim prepares himself to stand on the plain of 'Arafat on 9th Dhul-Hijjah because this is the major pillar of hajj according to the words of the Prophet who said, "Hajj is 'Arafat."6 Consequently, whoever misses standing at 'Arafat has missed his hajj.

This rite is accomplished by being present, even for a brief moment, on ‘Arafat whether standing, sitting, walking, or riding at any time after midday of 9th Dhul-Hijjah until dawn of the following day (10th Dhul-Hijjah). It is preferable to combine the latter part of 9th Dhul-Hijjah and the night (the beginning of the eve of 10th Dhul-Hijjah) i.e. before sunset of the 9th until sometime after it sets.

It is recommended to stand at 'Arafat in a state of purity. The best du'a` to make at this place is that of the Prophet who said, "The best du'a` to make on the day of 'Arafat and the best words which the previous prophets and I said are: La ilaha illah Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd wa huwa 'ala kul shay`in qadir7 i.e. There is no god but Allah, without partner. His is the dominion, and to Him alone is praise, and He has power over all things."

At 'Arafat, a pilgrim must humble himself before Allah, regret his sins, ask for His forgiveness, seek His mercy and pleasure, and remember the Day of Gathering 9the Day of Judgment). This is because the Day of Gathering (Judgment) is similar to the day of 'Arafat when people assemble from all corners of the globe to perform hajj.

6 Recorded by Al-Tirmidhi in his Sunan from a hadith narrated by Abdul Rahman Ibn Ya’mar. Ibn al-Mulaqin declared it authentic in Al-Badr Al-Munir (6/230).

7 Recorded by At-Tirmidhi in his Sunan (3585). Imam Al-Mundhiri said in At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib (2/345). Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani declared it fair in Mishkat al-Masabih (3/74).