Wuquf

What Does Wuquf Mean in Detail?

Wuquf at Arafah is universally regarded as the most important rite of Haji. Nabi Muhammad (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) declared, 'Al-Hajju Arafah' — 'Haji is Arafah' (reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and others). This means that a jamaah haji who misses being present at Arafah during the prescribed time has missed Haji entirely, regardless of all other rites performed. No sacrifice, penalty, or alternative can replace it. On the 9th of Dzulhijjah (Yawm Arafah), approximately two to three million jamaah haji gather on the vast plain of Arafah, located about 20 kilometers southeast of Mekkah. The valid time for wuquf begins after the sun passes its zenith (zawal) on the 9th and extends until the dawn (fajr) of the 10th. Most scholars agree that even a momentary presence within the boundaries of Arafah during this window fulfills the obligation, though spending the full afternoon until sunset is the Sunnah. The Day of Arafah is considered the greatest day of the Islamic year. Pilgrims spend it in fervent doa (doa), repentance (tawbah), recitation of Al-Al-Quran, and the remembrance of Allah (dhikr). It is believed that Allah descends — in a manner befitting His majesty — to the lowest heaven and boasts to the angels about the jamaah haji, forgiving them in vast numbers. For non-jamaah haji worldwide, fasting on the Day of Arafah is a sunnah Sunnah, with Nabi stating it expiates sins of the previous year and the coming year. After sunset, jamaah haji depart Arafah for Muzdalifah in what is called the ifadah (outpouring), where they spend the night under the open sky.