The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the most sacred day of the entire Hac. After praying Fajr at Mina, hacilar travel to the plain of Arafat and stand in earnest dua from after Dhuhr until sunset. Hz. Peygamber said: 'Hac is Arafat.' After sunset, hacilar proceed to Muzdelife, 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 Mina. After sunrise, begin your journey to the plain of Arafat, approximately 14 km east of Mina. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) left Mina after sunrise on this day. Continue reciting the Telbiye throughout the journey. Some hacilar stop briefly at the valley of Namirah on the way, where Hz. Peygamber delivered his Farewell Sermon.
Upon the zawal (when the sun passes its zenith), pray Dhuhr (two rak'at) and Asr (two rak'at) combined at the time of Dhuhr, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This combining and shortening is established from the practice of Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) at Arafat. If you are in the Masjid Namirah area, follow the imam. Otherwise, pray in your camp or wherever you are within the boundaries of Arafat.
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 Arafat (wuquf) is the absolute pillar (rukn) of Hac — without it, there is no Hac. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'al-Hajju Arafah' (Hac IS Arafat). The time for wuquf begins after the sun passes its zenith on the 9th and extends until Fajr of the 10th. Face the qiblah (not the mountain of Rahmah), raise your hands, and make dua with complete humility, weeping, and hope. This is the greatest gathering of dua on earth. Hz. Peygamber stood at the rocks near the base of Jabal al-Rahmah, but the entire plain of Arafat is a place of standing.
From after Dhuhr until sunset, devote yourself entirely to dua, dhikr, recitation of Kur'an, and istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Vary between the Telbiye, tahleel (La ilaha illallah), and personal dua 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. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) spent the entire afternoon at Arafat in dua with his hands raised. Allah descends to the lowest heaven (in a manner befitting His majesty) and boasts to the angels about the hacilar.
Once the sun has fully set (and not a moment before), depart from Arafat toward Muzdelife with tranquility and dignity. The journey is approximately 9 km. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) left Arafat after sunset, saying to the people: 'O people, be tranquil (as-sakinah, as-sakinah).' Continue reciting the Telbiye during the journey. Do NOT pray Maghrib on the way — delay it to combine with Isha at Muzdelife.
Upon arriving at Muzdelife (also known as al-Mash'ar al-Haram), pray Maghrib (three rak'at) and Isha (two rak'at, shortened) combined at the time of Isha, with one adhan and two iqamahs. This delay and combination is established by Hz. Peygamber'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 namaz time.
After praying, collect 7 pebbles (slightly larger than a chickpea) for tomorrow's stoning of Cemerat al-Aqabah. Some scholars recommend collecting all 49 pebbles (or 70 if staying for all three days of Tashreeq) at Muzdelife, though pebbles may be collected from anywhere in the Haram area. Then sleep under the open sky at Muzdelife. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) slept until shortly before Fajr. Staying at Muzdelife (mabit) is wajib according to the majority. The weak, elderly, women, and those with valid excuses may depart after midnight.