MAKKAH: More than two million Muslim pilgrims from across the world performed Waqoof-e-Arafat, the main ritual of Hajj in the holy land of Islam, today on Thursday.
Earlier today, the annual ceremony to change Ghilaf-e-Kaaba was held at Masjid-e-Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Saudi Arabia.
Please share these everywhere! Official photos of the Kiswa of the Ka'bah being changed a few hours.#Kiswa #Hajj #Hajj1438 #Hajj2017 pic.twitter.com/DJetwRIDxM
— islamichistorypics (@I_historypics) August 31, 2017
In first phase of Hajj, the pilgrims spent a day and following night (Wednesday) in Mina — a tent city near Makkah, and later started moving to towards mount Arafat where the main pillar of Hajj pilgrimage, Waqoof-e-Arafat, will be observed.
Waqoof (stay) in Arafat 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 Arafat and the pilgrims would offer Zohar and Asar prayers jointly at Arafat.
The main action in Wuquf is not to pray lots of Nafils but to just stand facing the Baitul Haram (Sacred House) asking Allah for forgiveness while recognizing Him as our Lord.
The holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Al Hajju Arafah,” means ‘standing in Arafat’ is the Hajj.
After the Wuquf-e-Arafat, the pilgrims would move towards Muzdalafa and there they would perform remaining two prayers, Maghrib and Isha, together.
All Hajj pilgrims will stay whole night in Muzdalfa and continue worships for forgiveness and pleasing God, the almighty.
They would perform Fajar prayer on morning of 10th Zil-Hajj in Muzdalfa and then return 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 Eid-ul-Adha 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.
It is religious obligation equally applicable to Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims. – Samaa
Many people wished congratulations and best of luck to those who performed Hajj today.
Congratulations to all the Hajjis & the organizers of this blessed n enlightened gathering
May Allah give us all the opportunity to do #Hajj pic.twitter.com/7shRY4Njb5— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) August 31, 2017
