عرفة

What Does عرفة Mean in Detail?

The plain of عرفة is a vast, largely flat desert expanse approximately 20 kilometers southeast of المسجد الحرام. It is bounded by defined borders, and the الحاج's presence anywhere within these boundaries — even for a brief moment between noon of the 9th and Fajr of the 10th of ذو الحجة — fulfills the essential Rukn of Wuquf. The most prominent landmark is Jabal al-Rahmah (the Mount of Mercy), a small granite hill where النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) delivered his Farewell Sermon during his final الحج. Near its edge stands Masjid Namirah, where the imam delivers the الحج sermon and leads the combined Dhuhr and Asr الصلوات — though part of Namirah actually falls outside عرفة's boundaries, so الحجاج must be aware of their position. Islamic tradition holds that عرفة is where Adam and Hawa (Eve) were reunited after their descent from Paradise. The Day of عرفة is considered the day of greatest divine mercy, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven, boasting to the angels about the الحجاج and forgiving their sins abundantly. النبي said: 'There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of عرفة.' For non-الحجاج worldwide, fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years.