HAJJ JOURNEY 2017 : WUKUF AT ARAFAH

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

8 April 2024

MASYAA'ER

Masyaa'er means Symbol of the Greatness of Allah s.w.t. covering the areas of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

1. Arafah is the first gathering place with an area of 13 km and a distance of 20 km from Masjidilharam.

2. Muzdalifah: The night stop is located between Arafah and Mina. It is 8 km from Arafah and 6.9 km from Mina.

3. Mina: the second gathering place to carry out the Hajj.

When you arrive at Mekkah to begin Hajj, It's important to make your intention (niyyah) within your heart. The intention must be to perform the Hajj for the sake of Allah alone, with a desire for good in hereafter. It should be done with the intention of being seen by others or for worldly gain. 

The 8th of Zulhijjah marks the beginning of the days of Hajj and the next stage  of your spiritual journey. You'll purify yourself and enter the state of Ihram once again. 

Rules of Ihram

It’s very important to note that when you are in a state of Ihram, you are not permitted to smoke, swear, shave, clip your nails, or engage in any form of sexual relations.Fighting and arguments are also forbidden, and participants are prohibited from hunting, killing, or unjustifiably breaking anything. You must also avoid scented products such as perfumes, moisturisers, makeup, or soaps. You may, however, substitute them for unscented toiletries which are permissible to use.

Wukuf in Arafah is the climax of Hajj .

In 2017, the number of Malaysian pilgrims increased by 12,000 people compared to the initial number of 30,200 people that was announced at the beginning of the Hajj season. This increase can be attributed to the good relationship between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of Saudi Arabia.

All 42,200 Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims in 2017 will join more than 2 million Muslims around the world moving towards Arafah to undergo the wukuf worship, which is the climax of Hajj, on 31 August 2017.

Arafah is located about 25 km from Masjidilharam. In the Hajj season 1438H this time, 280 buses were prepared to carry Hajj pilgrims from 14 Maktab accommodation , involving a total of 840 trips.

Chairman of Tabung Haji (TH), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, stated that there were 42,200 Malaysian Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land during the Hajj Season 1438H. As of August 31, 2017, it was reported that 20 pilgrims had died in the Holy Land, with 3 of them passing away on Thursday, August 31, 2017 (Wukuf Day). The Tabung Haji Board will provide Badal Hajj for these individuals next year.

As of Wukuf Day (August 31), it was reported that 12 pilgrims are still receiving treatment in Mecca. Among them, 4 pilgrims are in a coma while 8 others are being monitored for their health. For those who are ill and unable to perform the wukuf at Arafah, which is a pillar of Hajj, Tabung Haji will refund RM9,980.00 and they will be given priority to perform the Hajj next year (2018).

Regarding the determination of Wukuf Day, the Head of the Malaysian Hajj Group 1438 Hijrah, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, explained that all the dates of the Hijrah year, including the determination of Wukuf Day and Eid al-Adha, depend on the ummul qura' calendar (Hijri calendar) which is used together with the government of Saudi Arabia.

According to the Ummul Qura Calendar, Wukuf Day in 2017 (1438H), the 9th of Zulhijjah falls on 31 August 2017, which is a Thursday. It falls on the same day as Malaysia's Independence Day. While Malaysians at home are celebrating Independence Day and then Aidil-Adha the next day, let's not forget the Malaysian pilgrims who raised their hand to heaven and offered prayers of repentance on the sacred hill of Saudi's Arabia Mount Arafat, an intense day of worship considered to be the climax of the annual Hajj. 

On the 9th of Dzulhijjah, pilgrims travel to Arafat, they spend the entire day making du'a and will stand until sunset facing the Qiblah and seeking forgiveness for their sins. This is the most important of Hajj, without which the Hajj would be incomplete. The Prophet s.a.w said, "Hajj is Arafah."

MOVEMENT TO ARAFAH - MAKTAB 87

For us, the Hajj Pilgrims from Maktab 87 Abraj Al Janadiriyyah were instructed to move to Arafah a day earlier, on 30 August 2017.

A briefing was given before moving to Arafah

Waiting for the Bus to Arafah

The official departure ceremony of the first group of Malaysian pilgrims at the TH Makkah headquarters this morning was led by the Head of the 1438 Hijrah Hajj Group, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

On the way to Arafah

The TH officials always ensure the best for the pilgrims. They are the backbone of the pilgrims, always provide the best service, even when it exceeds their duties. 

With the goals of ensuring that the pilgrims were able to perform the fifth pllar of Islam, all staff, including in administration, operations, media and medicine, have been working together so that every plan can be executed in the best possible ways.Thank you alls. 

Once you’re all set to enter the Ihram, you’ll begin reciting the following invocation called the Talbiyah:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَشَرِيْكَ لَكَ

Transliteration:

Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk. Labbayk lā shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-ḥamda, wa n-‘imata, Laka wal mulk. Lā shareeka lak.

Translation:

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am, here I am. You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner.”

ARAFAH

In Arafah, all the pilgrims were accommodated in a new tent that was used for the first time in this Hajj season (2017). The tents are larger and stronger to withstand strong winds and are fireproof. Each tent can accommodate 150 to 240 pilgrims. Additionally, steam fans were installed in each tent, with 150 units provided for each Maktab.

The weather in Arafah during the Hajj season this time is quite hot, with an average temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius.

In this Hajj season, for the first time, pilgrims are served with a combination of Malay and Arabic menus that better suit their tastes.

The arrival of the Pilgrims in Arafah on the evening of August 30, 2017.

WADI URANAH

A valley located at the end of the Haram Land, before reaching Arafat, is the border between the Haram Land and the Halal Land. Here Rasulullah s.a.w. delivered his last sermon in the 10th year of the Hijrah. Today, part of it is in front of Namirah Mosque.

Namirah Mosque in front of Wadi Uranah

A LITTLE INFO ABOUT ARAFAH

Arafat is also known as Arafat. Arafat is a singular name with a plural (plural) pronunciation. In the Quran, it is called "Arafat".

Arafah and Arafat are names for this place, referred to in the plural even though the place is one because all corners of this place are called Arafah.

Arafah is one of the Masya'er (places of worship) of Hajj outside the boundaries of the Haram Land of Mecca, so Arafah is a Halal Land. The distance is about 22 km from the southeast side of Masjidilharam. Wukuf in Arafah is the main Pillar of Hajj, whoever leaves it then the ruling is like not performing Hajj. If a person intends to perform Hajj but does not have time to perform Wuquf, then he will miss his Hajj that year.

Arafah is an open and wide area located on the eastern side outside the holy city of Makkah. This is where Muslims fulfill the pillar of wukuf. Wukuf in the field of Arafah is one of the pillars of Hajj, to remember the event where Prophet Adam and Eve were brought down to earth from heaven for disobeying God's command and being deceived by the devil's trickery. They were separated in this world and it took 40 years to meet again. Their meeting place is Mount Arafah, precisely in Jabal Rahmah, which means "Mountain of Mercy". This is where they begged forgiveness from God for many years. Finally, their request was accepted by God.

The day of Arafah is one of the most important days for Muslims across the world, as Allah (SWT) refers to Day of Arafah in Surah Al-Maidah as the Day on which He perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and approved Islam as the way of life!

The Prophet (PBUH) also said :

"There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the Day of Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on Arafah) and then He reveals before His Angels saying, "What are these People seeking?"

(Hadith / Muslim)

Jabal Al-Rahmah (Mountain of Mercy) is a granodiorite hill about 20 km southeast of Mecca. The mountain is especially important during the Hajj, with the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dzulhijjah, also known as Day of Arafah. 

Arafah rituals end at sunset and pilgrims then move to Muzdalifah for Maghrib prayer. 

Wukuf in Arafah on the 9th of Zulhijjah means pausing for a moment in the field. Being in the field of Arafah in a warm and scorching atmosphere serves as an early reminder to Muslims about the situation in Padang Mahsyar, where all people, regardless of race, rank, or position, will be gathered to receive judgment based on their good and bad deeds while in the world.

Deputy Minister in the Prime's Minister Department Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki visit the pilgrims' camp in Arafah.

Malaysian haj pilgrims congregate here for wukuf prayed for Malaysia to continue to be blessed with peace, stability, prosperity and safety as Malaysian National Day fall on the same day with the Day of Arafah (31 August 2017). 

Datuk Dr. Asyraf when leading the prayer also said that it was hoped that Malaysia and its leaders would be protected from all evil and humiliation. 

Also present were Tabung Haji Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Tabung Haji Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Johan Abdullah and head of Malaysia Haj Delegation 1438H Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman. 

In time for Wukuf, the Arafah Sermon was delivered by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. The Arafah Sermon was also delivered by several religious experts at 13 other pilgrims camps.

In the Sermon, Asyraf Wajdi said the strength of a nation would only reach its peak when the people's solidarity was well maintained in a spirit of brotherhood as pointed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his Khutbatul Wada' (Farewell Sermon), on the 10th year of the Hijrah on the 9th day of Zulhijjah at Mount Arafah.

Then, during Asr to Maghrib, this is the most important moment to pray, and the pilgrims should not miss that opportunity. After that, as soon as the midnight period passes, the pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah to pray, which is one of the obligatory things that must be done during the Hajj.

All Malaysian pilgrims will be in Arafah until the night of August 31. Pilgrims will then spend the night in Muzdalifah and spend the night in Mina until the 13th of Zulhijjah.

TO MUZDALIFAH

The moment has come and gone, the day of Wuquf in the plains of Arafah. It is over and done with and for once. All thanks be to Allah for making paving the path smooth and, well, almost effortless. 

The haj ritual itself takes a mere five days to complete. It begins with preparations to be present in Arafah on the 8th of Zulhijjah to prepare for Wukuf on the 9th and then for the Stoning of the Devil ritual on the 10th, 11th and 12th Zulhijjah. There is also the part where the pilgrim has to retun to Mekah for the tawaf (circumambulation round the Kaabah) and saei which takes a matter of hours – at peak periods, to complete.

Next:

HAJJ JOURNEY 2017 : MUZDALIFAH & MINA

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

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