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Ammon News - The Day of Arafah is an Islamic holiday that falls on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic Calendar.

It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and is followed by the holiday of Eid al-Adha. At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to Mount Arafat.

It was from this site that the Islamic prophet Muhammad gave one of his last sermons in the final year of his life.

Mount Arafat is about 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mecca and it reaches about 70 m (230 ft) in height and is known as the "Mountain of Mercy" (Jabal ar-Rahmah).

On 9 Dhu al-Hijjah before noon, pilgrims arrive at Arafat, where they stand in contemplative vigil: they offer supplications, repent and atone for their past sins, seek mercy of God, and listen to Islamic scholars giving sermons from near Mount Arafat. Lasting from noon through sunset, this is known as 'standing before God' (wuquf), one of the most significant rites of Hajj. A pilgrim's Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Arafat.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah

Fasting on the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims is a highly recommended Sunnah which entails a great reward; Allah forgives the sins of two years.

Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the hajj. On the other hand, those who are not performing their hajj may observe fasting to gain the merits of the blessed day.