How should a হাজী pray at আরাফাত during হজ্জ?

At আরাফাত, the Sunnah is to combine Dhuhr and Asr সালাতs at the time of Dhuhr (jam' taqdim), shortening each to two rak'ahs, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This is the established prophetic practice during হজ্জ. All four schools agree on the permissibility of combining সালাতs at আরাফাত. The combining is due to the হজ্জ journey (travel) or the need for time to devote to দোয়া.

Last updated: ২৮ ফেব্রুয়ারি, ২০২৬

What Is the Ruling?

The established Sunnah at আরাফাত is to combine Dhuhr and Asr সালাতs at the time of Dhuhr (forward combination, jam' taqdim), shortening each সালাত to two rak'ahs. This is done with one adhan and two iqamahs — one iqamah before Dhuhr and another before Asr. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) did this during his Farewell হজ্জ, as narrated by Jabir in his detailed description of নবী করীম's হজ্জ.

Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that the combining and shortening at আরাফাত is a confirmed Sunnah that all হাজীগণ should follow, whether they are residents of মক্কা মুকাররমা or travelers. He noted that while the Hanafi school typically restricts qasr (shortening) to travelers, they permit combining at আরাফাত and মুযদালিফা due to the specific হজ্জ situation (nusuk). The reason for the forward combination is to free up the maximum amount of time for দোয়া (dua) during the afternoon of আরাফাত, which is the greatest time of হজ্জ.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen added that no voluntary সালাতs (sunan rawatib) should be prayed between Dhuhr and Asr when combining. After Asr, the হাজী should devote their time entirely to দোয়া and dhikr (remembrance of Allah) until sunset. He emphasized that the afternoon of আরাফাত is the single most valuable time in the Islamic calendar for dua, and the combining of সালাতs is legislated specifically to maximize this precious time for worship.

What Is the Evidence for This Ruling?

Sahih Muslim #1218Sahih

নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) came to আরাফাত and found a tent pitched for him at Namirah. He rested there, then when the sun passed its zenith, he rode al-Qaswa (his she-camel) and came to the valley of Uranah. He addressed the people, then Bilal called the adhan, then the iqamah, and নবী করীম prayed Dhuhr (two rak'ahs). Then the iqamah was called again and he prayed Asr (two rak'ahs), and he did not pray anything between them.

How Do Different Madhabs View This?

Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.

Hanafi

The Hanafi school permits combining Dhuhr and Asr at আরাফাত at the time of Dhuhr. This is an exception specific to হজ্জ. Shortening is for travelers; মক্কা মুকাররমা residents pray full rak'ahs but still combine.

Al-Hidayah: combining at আরাফাত is permitted due to the হজ্জ rites, even for the Hanafi school which normally restricts combining.

Maliki

The Maliki school combines Dhuhr and Asr at আরাফাত at the time of Dhuhr, with shortening for travelers. Residents of মক্কা মুকাররমা pray full but may combine.

Al-Mudawwanah: combining and shortening at আরাফাত follows the prophetic practice.

Shafi'i

The Shafi'i school combines and shortens Dhuhr and Asr at আরাফাত. The combining is due to travel, and shortening is for those who are travelers (beyond the distance of qasr).

Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: combining and shortening at আরাফাত is the confirmed Sunnah.

Hanbali

The Hanbali school combines and shortens Dhuhr and Asr at আরাফাত. Both travelers and residents may combine due to the হজ্জ, though only travelers shorten.

Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: combining at আরাফাত is established by the Sunnah for all হাজীগণ.

This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.

Evidence & References

Hadith

Sahih Muslim #1218 (sahih)

How should a হাজী pray at আরাফাত during হজ্জ?

What Is the Ruling?

What Is the Evidence for This Ruling?

How Do Different Madhabs View This?

Source

Evidence & References