Over thirty thousand Nigerians are among the pilgrims from across the globe that will this morning converge on mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
Arafat day is the peak of hajj exercise which precedes Eid Kabir celebration which comes up tomorrow .
While on the plain of mount Arafat, the pilgrims are to praise Allah, recite the Quran and pray for themselves as well as others till the sunset.
After sunset, they will depart to Muzdalifa where they will pass the night before proceeding to Jamrat where the symbolic throwing of stones to devils would be done.
Speaking on the essence of Arafat, the Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdur-Rasheed AbdulAzeez who is also among the pilgrims explained that Arafat is Hajj as every pilgrim irrespective of their health challenges must be at the plain of Arafat otherwise their Hajj would be nullified. ” Prophet Muhammad says ‘Arafaf is Hajj and Hajj is Arafat’. This implies that the most important aspect of Hajj is staying at the plain of mount Arafat. All pilgrims including the sick ones must be on ground otherwise their Hajj exercise would be null and void.”
He said Allah will move closer to the pilgrims on Arafah and would be ready to answer their prayer requests.”Angels in their multitude will descend to the earth to join the pilgrims as Allah will come down to answer prayers from them. It’s a special day in the lives of Muslims. “
An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Ismail AbdRasaq said other Muslims who are not on Hajj are expected to observe fasting on the day of Arafah which its reward is expiration of sins” It’s recommended that Muslims who are not performing Hajj fast on the day of Arafah as Allah promises to forgive their sins for last year and next year. This is no doubt a worthwhile exercise. “
He also emphasized that this year’s Arafaf day that fell on Friday was a rare privilege which would earn the pilgrims double rewards.
” Any Arafah that falls on a Friday is a special Arafah because it will entail 2 sermons of Arafah and that of Jumat service. This is a double reward from Allah”.
Radio Nigeria correspondent, Ridwan Fasasi reports that the pilgrims are in high spirit to perform the Hajj exercise.
Rilwan Fasasi
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