عرفات

What Does عرفات Mean in Detail?

The plain of عرفات is a vast, largely flat desert expanse approximately 20 kilometers southeast of مسجد الحرام. It is bounded by defined borders, and the حاجی's presence anywhere within these boundaries — even for a brief moment between noon of the 9th and Fajr of the 10th of Dhul Hijjah — fulfills the essential Rukn of Wuquf. The most prominent landmark is Jabal al-Rahmah (the Mount of Mercy), a small granite hill where نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) delivered his Farewell Sermon during his final حج. Near its edge stands Masjid Namirah, where the imam delivers the حج sermon and leads the combined Dhuhr and Asr نمازs — though part of Namirah actually falls outside عرفات's boundaries, so حجاج must be aware of their position. Islamic tradition holds that عرفات is where Adam and Hawa (Eve) were reunited after their descent from Paradise. The Day of عرفات is considered the day of greatest divine mercy, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven, boasting to the angels about the حجاج and forgiving their sins abundantly. نبی کریم said: 'There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of عرفات.' For non-حجاج worldwide, fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years.