Hajj pilgrims to perform Waqoof-e-Arafah today

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Over two million Muslim pilgrims from across the world will perform Waqoof-e-Arafah, the main ritual of Hajj in the holy land of Islam today (Saturday).

Main rituals of the Hajj will be done in Arafah today as the pilgrims moved towards the place after staying the night in Mina. Waqoof-e-Arafah (stay in Arafah) is performed from Zuhar to sunset on the 9th of Zil-Hajj of Islamic year.

Imam of Nimra Mosque will deliver his sermon to Hajj pilgrims in Arafah and the pilgrims would offer combined Zohar and Asar prayers at Arafah. After staying whole day in Arafah, pilgrims will travel back to Mazdalfa after Maghrib prayer.

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The Maghrib and Isha prayers will be offered together. Whole night will be spent in Mazdalfa under open sky and pilgrims will offer Fajr prayer on 10 Zill Hajj, after which they will travel back to Mina for following act of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S), Rami, stoning the big Satan..

After stoning the Satan, Hajj pilgrims will shave off heads or trim hairs, to the prescribed level, and then would get off the Ahrams, Hajj cloths, at completion of Hajj rituals.

Muslims celebrate Eidul-Azha and sacrifice Halal animals of their choices every year, after completion of Hajj proceedings.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once in lifetime by all Muslims capable of making the expensive and difficult journey.

 THE DAY OF ARAFAH

It is an important day in the Islamic calendar and it falls on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth and final month of the lunar Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the sighting of the moon, so the exact date of the Day of Arafah may vary from year to year based on the lunar cycle. The Day of Arafah is considered one of the holiest days for Muslims around the world, particularly for those performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and it is an integral part of the Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.