Muslim pilgrims converging on Mount Arafat for the 2025 hajj ritual
Muslim pilgrims from across the world have converged on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for a day-long worship and reflection.
This significant ritual, known as Wuqoof-e-Arafat, is the most important part of the Hajj pilgrimage and takes place on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
Mount Arafat, near Makkah, holds great historical significance as the site where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon, known as the Farewell Sermon, 1,435 years ago. During this sacred day, pilgrims stay at Mount Arafat from midday until sunset, facing the Qiblah, and engage in intense prayer and supplication.
For Muslims not performing Hajj, Arafat Day is also a day of voluntary fasting, repentance, and seeking God’s forgiveness. The day marks the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, with millions of devotees gathering to perform this crucial ritual.
Speaking on the significance of Arafat Day, Sheikh Bashir Dahiru-Bauchi, said it is a day when Allah shows the pilgrims to angels in their kingdom.
The cleric said “Allah would say look at the generation and children of Prophet Adam glorifying my names.
“You predicted that they would come down to the earth and commit a lot of bloodshed and corruption and here they are worshipping me, glorifying my names.
“See them, because of me they cannot take bath with soap, and they can’t cut their nails, devoting this day-long glorifying my names.”
According to him, it is a day for those not performing Hajj fast to seek for the forgiveness of Allah.
Dahiru-Bauchi added that “the Prophet said on that day, the sunset will never take place unless it wipes away the sins of the entire participants of the pilgrimage, and non participants who fast on that day.
“So, all those non-pilgrims across the world that fast on the day of Arafat will have their sins forgiven, both the sins of outgoing and incoming year as well.
“That means that if one is consistent in fasting on the day of Arafat, definitely one will die as a forgiven and pardoned servant.”
Mahmud Muhammad, Personal Assistant on Domestic and Northeast Affairs, Office of the Vice President, urged pilgrims and Muslims at home to use the day to pray for the country.
Muhammad, who also urged all to pray for unity and peaceful coexistence, lauded the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for achieving hitch-free operations so far.
According to him, every segment of this year’s Hajj is unique and laudable.(NAN)
