Day 2 of 5 · 9th Dhul Hijjah

Day of Arafat

Arafat, then Muzdalifah

يوم عرفة

Prayer Notes

At Arafat: Combine Dhuhr + Asr at Dhuhr time, shortened to 2 rakahs each (one adhan, two iqamahs). At Muzdalifah: Combine Maghrib (3 rakahs) + Isha (2 rakahs) at Isha time (one adhan, two iqamahs). Pray Fajr at Muzdalifah at its earliest time.

Travel from Mina to Arafat

Wajib

After Fajr prayer at Mina

After praying Fajr at Mina, proceed to the plain of Arafat. The distance from Mina to Arafat is approximately 14km. Most pilgrims travel by bus. Upon arrival, confirm you are within the boundaries of Arafat (marked by signposts). Standing outside the boundaries of Arafat invalidates this essential pillar. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Hajj is Arafat' (Sunan al-Nasai 3016, graded Sahih).

Stand at Arafat (Wuquf)

Wajib

From after Dhuhr until sunset

The standing at Arafat (Wuquf) is the single most important pillar of Hajj. Without it, there is no Hajj. The time for Wuquf begins after the sun passes its zenith (Dhuhr time) and extends until Fajr of the 10th, though the Sunnah is to remain until sunset. You do not need to be physically standing; you may sit, lie down, or be in any position. Spend this time in intense supplication, seeking forgiveness, reciting the Quran, and making dhikr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafat' (Jami al-Tirmidhi 3585, graded Hasan).

For Men

Stand in the open if possible, facing the Qiblah, and supplicate with raised hands. The Prophet stood near the rocks at the base of Jabal al-Rahmah (the Mount of Mercy), not on top of it.

Duas for this step

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

La ilaha illAllahu wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadeer

“There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things.”

Jami al-Tirmidhi 3585 (Hasan)

Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined and shortened

Sunnah

At Dhuhr time

Pray Dhuhr and Asr combined at the time of Dhuhr, each shortened to two rakahs, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This follows the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) at Arafat (Sahih Muslim 1218). There is no Sunnah prayer between Dhuhr and Asr when combining them.

Depart for Muzdalifah after sunset

Wajib

Immediately after sunset

After sunset, depart Arafat for Muzdalifah calmly and with dignity. Do NOT pray Maghrib at Arafat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) delayed Maghrib and prayed it combined with Isha at Muzdalifah (Sahih al-Bukhari 1672). The journey from Arafat to Muzdalifah is approximately 9km. Continue reciting the Talbiyah during the journey.

Duas for this step

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 1549 (Sahih)

Pray Maghrib and Isha combined at Muzdalifah

Sunnah

Upon arrival at Muzdalifah (Isha time)

Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib (3 rakahs) and Isha (shortened to 2 rakahs) combined at the time of Isha, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) (Sahih Muslim 1218). After praying, rest and sleep, as you will need your strength for the 10th.

Duas for this step

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ: ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، وَإِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ، فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ كَمَا هَدَيْتَنِي لِلْإِسْلَامِ أَنْ لَا تَنْزِعَهُ مِنِّي حَتَّى تَتَوَفَّانِي وَأَنَا مُسْلِمٌ

Allahumma innaka qulta: ud'uni astajib lakum, wa innaka la tukhlifu-l-mi'ad, fa-inni as'aluka kama hadaytani lil-Islam an la tanzi'ahu minni hatta tatawaffani wa ana Muslim

“O Allah, You have said: 'Call upon Me, I will respond to you,' and You never break Your promise. So I ask You, as You have guided me to Islam, that You do not take it away from me, and that You cause me to die as a Muslim.”

Based on Quran 40:60 and Sahih Muslim 1218 (description of the Prophet's standing at al-Mash'ar al-Haram)

Stay overnight at Muzdalifah and collect pebbles

Wajib

Overnight until Fajr

Staying at Muzdalifah is wajib according to the majority of scholars. Sleep after praying Maghrib and Isha combined. Wake before Fajr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) collected 7 pebbles (the size of chickpeas) from Muzdalifah for stoning Jamrat al-Aqabah on the 10th (Sahih Muslim 1218). You will need a total of 49 pebbles for all days of stoning (7 + 21 + 21), or 70 if staying for the 13th. You may collect them all at Muzdalifah or pick up more at Mina.

For Men

The elderly and those with legitimate difficulty may leave Muzdalifah after midnight.

Tips for Day of Arafat

-This is the most important day of Hajj. Do not waste any time at Arafat on worldly matters. Dedicate every moment to supplication and dhikr
-Bring water and a light snack to Arafat. Dehydration is a serious risk in the Saudi heat
-You do not need to stand on Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy). Any place within Arafat's boundaries is equally valid. The Prophet stood at the base, not the summit
-The best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafat. Prepare your list of supplications in advance
-Collect smooth, small pebbles at Muzdalifah (slightly larger than a chickpea). Avoid taking pebbles from near the toilets or from dirty areas. You may wash them later
-If you are in a group, ensure someone knows the bus schedule and pickup point. Many pilgrims get separated at Muzdalifah

Sources

Sunan al-Nasai 3016 (Sahih)Jami al-Tirmidhi 3585 (Hasan)Sahih al-Bukhari 1672 (Sahih)Sahih Muslim 1218 (Sahih)Sahih al-Bukhari 1681 (Sahih)

See all 5 days of Hajj