Holy Hajj today
From Arafat ground (Saudi Arabia): Today (Saturday) is 9th Jilhaj in Saudi Arabia. The holy Hajj is performed by the Muslims on the 9th jilhaj. All roads today are leading towards Arafat ground for Hajj, the fourth of the five pillars of Islam. Millions of Muslims are present in the Arafat for performing Hajj. All eyes of the pious Muslims are now fixed on Arafat ground.
According to the ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi government 18 lakh 38 thousand 339 pilgrims have come from different countries to perform Hajj this year.
On the other hand about 5.3 lakh Saudi nationals and migrants also performing Hajj this year bringing the total to about 25 lakh pilgrims this year.
One of the Farz of Hajj is to stay at Arafat ground. Even those who fell sick and admitted in hospitals they will also be brought here for some time here at Arafat by ambulances. In true sense to stay at Arafat is Hajj.
As part of the formalities of Hajj the pilgrims will reach the Arafat from Mina after performing Fazr prayer. Millions of pilgrims will voice out, ‘Allah Huma Labbaik, Labbaika La Sharika Laka Labbaik, Innal Hamda, Wanimata Laka Walmulk, La Sharika Laka which will be echoed around Arafat ground.
The meaning of term Arafah is to be acquainted with. The hill on the side of Arafat is Zabale Rahmat. Arafah and Arafat both these terms are used in Arabic language. This ground is two miles in length and two miles in breadth. This big plane ground is known as Arafat. The three sides of the ground are surrounded by hills. The pilgrims will perform Johr and Asr prayers. Besides, they will recite Doa-Munajat, holy Quran and perform Nafl prayers. To recite Doa at Arafat is very pious Islamic formality.
On the 9th Jilhaj the pilgrims will recite ‘Takbirs’ in high tone while the female pilgrims in low tone. Takbir is as follow- ‘Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illalhu Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Walillahil Hamd’. To recite Takbir till Asr prayer of 13th Jilhaj is Wajib.
On this ground in 631 A.D. the order of performing Hajj had reached the Prophet(SM) who in turn had performed Hajj with 1.4 lakh followers in 632 A.D.
The holy prophet(SM) delivered his famous khutba (speech) of last Hajj(Biday Hajj) standing on Zabale Rahmat. That khtba has been a mile stone in the annals of the Islam and the Muslims of the world.
Following that precedence the Khatib will deliver khutba from Mosque Namira at local time 12-30 noon.
After Khutba till sunset Talbia, Tahmid, Doa-Darud, Istegfar, recitation from holy Quran and will request to Almighty Allah to forgive them and grant their prayers.
The Saudi Government has taken all kinds of measures to ensure security of the pilgrims. There are hospitals to provide treatment to the pilgrims spreading over from Mina to Arafat. There are fire brigade vans and members of the police alert. At Arafat all the pilgrims are supplied food, pure drinking water and other necessities free of cost on behalf of Saudi government. Many Ngos and organizations also provide many gifts to the pilgrims.