ARAFAH: Wukuf, one of the holiest days in Islam, proved to be exactly what pilgrims were told it would be — a humbling experience.
From Zohor on Sunday to dawn yesterday, Wukuf, also known as the Day of Arafah or Day of Repentance, is an auspicious period when pilgrims are told to seek repentance for their misdeeds as Allah promised that those who do so with purity and remorse would have their sins forgiven.
It is during this time that pilgrims gathered at this desert space focus their attention on only praising Allah and asking for forgiveness.
On this day, Muslims believe that Allah will be closest to man right here in this land where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.
The sermon was extensive, covering Allah’s requirements for Muslims to, among others, pray five times a day, fast, pay tithes and perform haj when one can afford it.
The prophet also touched on the requirement to respect women, that there would be no other messengers after him and that the Quran was absolute and one of the two things of paramount importance to guide Muslims after his passing. The other is his sunnah (the way of the prophet).
Here in Arafah, sermons are held at the many suraus in the packed tent areas, with prayers being performed in groups. Pilgrims also performed sunat prayers, zikir and as many ibadah activities as possible.
Everywhere, one can see individuals “isolating” themselves in corners, behind tents or under trees, to recite prayers and offer doa.
The best time to offer doa was between Asar and Maghrib.
There was hardly a dry eye as pilgrims, the men just in their basic two-piece ihram that resembles the cloth Muslims will be buried with when they die, pray for forgiveness under the baking sun, all the while having to strictly observe 13 conditions.
The pilgrims left Arafah later at night and headed for Muzdalifah where they were required to spend some time before heading for Mina, where for three days they will perform the jamarat ritual (stoning of the devil).