What is done on the day of Arafah during Hajj?

The day begins at Mina

The pilgrim spends the night of the 9th at Mina, having entered ihram for Hajj on the 8th (the Day of Tarwiyah). Ibn Baz notes that the sunnah is to enter ihram on the 8th before Dhuhr, pray the five prayers at Mina, and then set out for Arafah after sunrise, because the Prophet ﷺ did this and instructed the Companions to do likewise.

Travelling to Arafah

After sunrise on the 9th, the pilgrim sets out from Mina to Arafah. Ibn Uthaymeen describes the practice: if it is easy to stop at Namirah, one does so until the sun passes its zenith, then moves on to Arafah; if not — as is usually the case today — one continues straight to Arafah and settles there. Al-Buhuti adds that it is recommended to stop at Namirah and combine Dhuhr and Asr there at the earlier time.

A point of caution both Ibn Uthaymeen and al-Fawzan stress: the pilgrim must be certain he is inside the boundaries of Arafah. The state has placed clear markers, and one should not be misled by the crowds stopping before the boundary. Arafah is entirely a place of standing except the valley of 'Uranah (batin 'Uranah).

Dhuhr and Asr combined

When the sun passes its zenith, the pilgrim prays Dhuhr and Asr — two rak'ahs each, combined at the time of Dhuhr (jam' taqdim) with one adhan and two iqamahs. This follows what the Prophet ﷺ did, as Ibn Uthaymeen and al-Fawzan both state. Al-Fawzan notes that the four-rak'ah prayers are shortened at Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, but that combining applies at Arafah and Muzdalifah; at Mina the prayers are shortened but not combined.

The standing: supplication until sunset

After the prayer, the pilgrim's entire occupation is du'a, dhikr and Qur'an recitation until the sun sets. This is the heart of the day. Ibn Uthaymeen notes that repeating "La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir" from after the combined prayer until sunset is excellent, because the Prophet ﷺ said:

"The best of supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is: There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner; His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is capable of all things."— Narrated by al-Tirmidhi 3585, cited by Ibn Uthaymeen

Al-Fawzan adds that the pilgrim does not need to go to the Mountain of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah), nor to see it, nor to face it while supplicating — rather one faces the Ka'bah. One may supplicate riding, walking, standing, sitting or lying down.

Al-Buhuti records the recommended wording the pilgrim may repeat, including the supplication: "O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing, and ease my affair for me."

The conditions of a valid standing

The standing at Arafah is the greatest pillar of Hajj — the one whose loss cannot be made up. Al-Fawzan and Ibn Uthaymeen both state that its time begins at the passing of the sun's zenith on the 9th (the position al-Fawzan calls the correct one) and continues until the break of dawn on the 10th. Ibn Qudamah records that the beginning of the time is from the break of dawn on the Day of Arafah, and that Malik and al-Shafi'i held it begins at the sun's zenith — but the Hanbali position, which he defends, is the earlier one.

Ibn Qudamah notes that whoever reaches Arafah during the standing time, sane, even for a moment — standing, sitting, riding, sleeping, or even passing through without knowing it is Arafah — his Hajj is complete. But one who is unconscious or insane and does not regain consciousness before leaving does not validly stand.

What is not required

Al-Fawzan clarifies that the pilgrim is not obliged to go to the Mountain of Mercy, nor to see it, nor to face it. Al-Buhuti states that climbing the mountain is not prescribed. Al-Albani notes that the specific stopping at 'Uranah has changed with modern means, but that gathering for Dhuhr and Asr combined at the Masjid of Namirah is an act of worship to be followed.

Key takeaways

• The standing at Arafah is the greatest pillar of Hajj — missing it means the Hajj is lost and the pilgrim must revert to an umrah.
• Its time runs from the sun's zenith on the 9th until the break of dawn on the 10th; whoever stands even a moment within that window, sane, has completed his Hajj.
• Dhuhr and Asr are prayed combined at Dhuhr, two rak'ahs each, following the Prophet ﷺ.
• The rest of the day until sunset is for du'a, dhikr and Qur'an — this is the purpose of the standing, not merely being present.
• One who leaves before sunset without returning owes a dam; one who stands only at night owes nothing.
• Be certain you are inside Arafah's boundaries — do not be misled by crowds stopping before the markers.

Further reading

• Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni
• Al-Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina'
• Ibn Uthaymeen, al-Liqa' al-Shahri and Liqa' al-Bab al-Maftuh

And Allah knows best.