What are the exact boundaries of আরাফাত for a valid wuquf during হজ্জ?

The boundaries of আরাফাত are clearly defined and marked by large signs placed by the Saudi authorities. The entire plain of আরাফাত is a valid standing place, as নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'I stood here, but all of আরাফাত is a standing place.' However, the valley of Uranah (Batn Uranah) is explicitly excluded from the valid area, as নবী করীম said: 'Stand at your places of standing, and keep away from Uranah.' This means a হাজী who spends the day of আরাফাত in the valley of Uranah has not fulfilled the wuquf.

Sheikh Ibn Baz emphasized the critical importance of verifying one's location within the boundaries of আরাফাত. Due to the enormous number of হাজীগণ (often exceeding two million), some হাজীগণ end up camped outside the boundaries without realizing it, which invalidates their entire হজ্জ since wuquf at আরাফাত is the essential pillar. He advised হাজীগণ to look for the boundary signs and, if in doubt, to move further into the plain of আরাফাত rather than staying on its edges.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen noted that the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah) within আরাফাত is a well-known landmark, but standing on or near it is not required or more virtuous than standing elsewhere in আরাফাত. নবী করীম stood near it but said all of আরাফাত is valid. Climbing the mountain in extreme crowds can be dangerous and is not from the Sunnah. The Permanent Committee confirmed that any spot within the recognized boundaries of আরাফাত is equally valid for wuquf.