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The 9th of ذو الحجة is the most sacred day of the entire الحج. After praying Fajr at منى, الحجاج travel to the plain of عرفة and stand in earnest الدعاء from after Dhuhr until sunset. النبي said: 'الحج is عرفة.' After sunset, الحجاج proceed to مزدلفة, pray Maghrib and Isha combined, collect pebbles for the stoning ritual, and spend the night under the open sky.
Wake early and pray Fajr at its earliest time in منى. After sunrise, begin your journey to the plain of عرفة, approximately 14 km east of منى. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) left منى after sunrise on this day. Continue reciting the التلبية throughout the journey. Some الحجاج stop briefly at the valley of Namirah on the way, where النبي delivered his Farewell Sermon.
Upon the zawal (when the sun passes its zenith), pray Dhuhr (two ركعة) and Asr (two ركعة) combined at the time of Dhuhr, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This combining and shortening is أُسس from the practice of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) at عرفة. If you are in the Masjid Namirah area, follow the imam. Otherwise, pray in your camp or wherever you are within the boundaries of عرفة.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
The standing at عرفة (wuquf) is the absolute pillar (ركن) of الحج — without it, there is no الحج. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'al-Hajju Arafah' (الحج IS عرفة). The time for wuquf begins after the sun passes its zenith on the 9th and extends until Fajr of the 10th. Face the القبلةh (not the mountain of Rahmah), raise your hands, and make دعاء with complete humility, weeping, and hope. This is the greatest gathering of الدعاء on earth. النبي stood at the rocks near the base of Jabal al-Rahmah, but the entire plain of عرفة is a place of standing.
From after Dhuhr until sunset, devote yourself entirely to الدعاء, dhikr, recitation of القرآن, and istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Vary between the التلبية, tahleel (La ilaha illallah), and personal دعاء in any language. Cry, beg, and humble yourself before Allah. Ask for forgiveness, guidance, and mercy for yourself, your family, the Ummah, and all of humanity. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) spent the entire afternoon at عرفة in دعاء with his hands raised. Allah descends to the lowest heaven (in a manner befitting His majesty) and boasts to the angels about the الحجاج.
Once the sun has fully set (and not a moment before), depart from عرفة toward مزدلفة with tranquility and dignity. The journey is approximately 9 km. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) left عرفة after sunset, saying to the people: 'O people, be tranquil (as-sakinah, as-sakinah).' Continue reciting the التلبية during the journey. Do NOT pray Maghrib on the way — delay it to combine with Isha at مزدلفة.
Upon arriving at مزدلفة (also known as al-Mash'ar al-Haram), pray Maghrib (three ركعة) and Isha (two ركعة, shortened) combined at the time of Isha, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This delay and combination is أُسس by النبي's practice. If the journey is severely delayed and you fear missing the time of Isha entirely, pray on the road rather than missing the الصلاة time.
After praying, collect 7 pebbles (slightly larger than a chickpea) for tomorrow's stoning of الجمرات al-Aqabah. Some scholars recommend collecting all 49 pebbles (or 70 if staying for all three days of التشريق) at مزدلفة, though pebbles may be collected from anywhere in the Haram area. Then sleep under the open sky at مزدلفة. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) slept until shortly before Fajr. Staying at مزدلفة (mabit) is واجب عند the majority. The weak, elderly, women, and those with valid excuses may depart after midnight.