Today, Tuesday, is the sacred day of Hajj. The holy plains of Arafat are echoing with the chant: “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Sharika Laka Labbayk, Innal Hamda Wan Ni‘mata Laka Wal Mulk, La Sharika Lak.”
Its meaning is: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner. Indeed, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
Hajj is the grand gathering of the Muslim world. Since dawn today, the vast desert plains of Arafat have been filled with a miraculous and sacred whiteness.
The pilgrims, dressed in simple white Ihram garments made of two pieces of cloth, have turned the area into a sea of white. With deep longing for forgiveness and spiritual purification, devout Muslims are performing this sacred Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
After the Fajr prayer today, more than two million Muslims from around the world gathered on the historic plains of Arafat. Among them are more than 78,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh.
Today, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, is the main day of Hajj. Pilgrims will remain in Arafat until sunset. This vast plain, covering about four square miles, is bordered by the Makkah-Hada-Taif Ring Road to the south and the Saad Mountains to the north, extending nearly another mile westward. In this most sacred land of Islam, pilgrims will worship, listen to the Hajj sermon, and perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers together.
This year, the Hajj sermon at Masjid Namirah in Arafat before the Dhuhr prayer will be delivered by Sheikh Ali bin Abdur Rahman Al-Hudhaifi, Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Pilgrims will spend the day in Arafat engaged in remembrance of Allah and worship until sunset. Afterwards, they will leave for Muzdalifah, where they will combine and perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers at Isha time and stay overnight.
There, they will collect 70 pebbles to throw at the pillars representing Satan (Jamaraat) in Mina. After offering the Fajr prayer in Muzdalifah, they will return to Mina.
On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, after arriving in Mina, pilgrims must complete four tasks in sequence. First, they throw stones at the Jamaraat while keeping Mina to their right. Second, they sacrifice an animal in the name of Allah.
Some pilgrims who cannot do this in Mina perform the sacrifice later in Makkah. Third, they shave their heads. Fourth, they perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah (circumambulation of the Kaaba).
On the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah, after spending the night in Mina, pilgrims throw seven pebbles each at the large, middle, and small Jamaraat between noon and sunset. This act is considered Sunnah.
Allah had commanded Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) to sacrifice the thing dearest to him. His son, Prophet Ismail (Ishmael, peace be upon him), was the most beloved to him.
When Prophet Ibrahim brought his son to this place in Mina to obey Allah’s command, Satan appeared and tried to persuade him to disobey Allah. At that moment, Prophet Ibrahim threw stones at Satan.
Today, pilgrims symbolically reenact this by throwing stones at the Jamaraat.
After returning to Makkah, one final ritual remains for the pilgrims: performing the Farewell Tawaf, which involves circling the Holy Kaaba seven times. Through this final act, pilgrims complete the sacred rites of Hajj.
Meanwhile, pilgrims spent all day and night yesterday in Mina, where the main rituals of Hajj begin. Every year, millions of tents are set up in Mina as temporary accommodations for pilgrims.
Located about ten kilometers from Masjid al-Haram, Mina resembles a vast tent city stretching as far as the eye can see. Each pilgrim is provided with separate foam bedding, pillows, and blankets.
Staying in Mina is an essential part of Hajj, and pilgrims remain occupied with prayers and worship in their tents.
To ensure security during Hajj, the Saudi government has implemented extensive safety measures in Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and surrounding areas. More than 100,000 security personnel have been deployed.
Yesterday, the average temperature in Saudi Arabia was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius. Pilgrims have been struggling with the intense heat and scorching sun.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that more than 40 government agencies and around 250,000 officials are working this year to prevent a repeat of last year’s deadly heat conditions.
Additionally, artificial intelligence technology, drone cameras, and large-scale data analysis systems have been incorporated into Hajj management this year.
