Tuesday, November 10, 2009

9th Dhul Hijjah - Day of Arafat

9th of Dhul Hijjah corresponds to around 27th November 2009 depending on the sighting of the moon. It is the high point of Hajj. Infact, according to the sayings of Prophet Mohammed, Hajj is Arafat. Since it is the most high point of the act of Hajj, its going to be a busy day and I may not be able to write much, therefore I would like to give a brief background of this very important day in the life of a muslim.

What is the history of Arafat?

Arafat is a mountain or a granite hill, east of Mecca. It is also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah). The area surrounding the hill is called the plains of Arafah (or Arafat). Arafat literally means Knowledge and Science. Arafat is the place where according to the Islamic narrations, the repentance of Adam was accepted by the God after his fall from heaven. According to traditions, Adam fell in what is now Sri Lanka & Eve fell in what is now the city of Jeddah in Saudi
Arabia. That is the city where all international flights bringing in pilgrims for Hajj culminate. After their fall, Adam desperately looked for his wife and walked his way from Sri Lanka via India to the plains of Arafat. On the other side, Eve made her way from Jeddah to Arafat which is around 100 kms and they both met up in Arafat. This is where they prayed to Allah for the forgiveness of their sin. Unlike Christianity, Islam does not believe in the concept of original sin and atonement. We believe God in his infinite grace and mercy forgave Adam & Eve for their sin and they were reunited as husband and wife without any sin or its repercussions on them or their progeny. Arafat is a site for prayer, supplication and repentance but also acquiring proper recognition of God. Arafat which is marifat mean recognition This is a day for those present on the plains of Arafah, who stand/sit in two piece of clothes, in scorching heat and ponder over just two facts, to whom we belong and where are we going.

About two and half million Muslims will converge on the plains of Arafah from afternoon to sunset. It is a vivid representation in all of humanity gathering at the end of Time. It is the day of reckoning where all pilgrims are repenting, supplicating, with hands high. Arafat is the place, where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon 14 centuries ago by proclaiming the equality of mankind, justice and freedom for all in an eloquent Human Rights manifesto. “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over non-Arab. A white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white person, except by piety”. He also emphasized the women’s rights and demanded that husband treat their wives with kindness, respect and gentleness and that abusing the wife is immoral.

When we are there on 27/28th November, I will try and post some photos, inshallah.

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