‘Arafat And The Sacred Monument

LESSON # 224 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

‘Arafat And The Sacred Monument

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –198b of 286, Section – 25 (Part  - 2)

But when ye return from ‘Arafat, remember Allah by the Sacred Monument.

Fa-‘izaaa  ‘afaztum-min  ‘Arafaatin-  fazkurullaaha  ‘in-dal-  Mash-‘aril-Haraam.

Lesson

‘Afaztum – (you return) this word has come out from the word ‘Afaazah which means ‘Walk from pool and pool or come back’. Technically it signifies returning from ‘Arafat to Muzdalfah.

‘Arafaatin – (‘Arafat) the road which leads from Makkah to the east towards Taif, there is a plain in the area of several miles situated twelve miles from Makkah Mo-‘azmah. That is called ‘Arafat. There is also a hill in this plain, which is also named ‘Arafat. Its height is two hundred yards from the earth level. During the entire year this plain remains vacant but on the ninth Zul-Hijjah it becomes in full bloom on arrival of the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims reach the Minaa till afternoon on eighth of the Zul-Hijjah and on the next day on ninth Zul-Hijjah at the time of rising sun they travel towards the ‘Arafat, they reach the ‘Arafat at the time of afternoon. Till the time of Asar (before sunset) the Pilgrims have to remain there. Technically this stay is called Wuquuf. The presence in this plain is the most important work of the Pilgrimage. The entire period should be passed in begging mercy or grace, repentance, penitence and remembrance of God Almighty during the stay in the Plain of ‘Arafat. While the sun is near to set, then the Pilgrims should depart towards Muzdalfah (the Sacred Monument). Zuhr and 'Asr prayers are offered in the afternoon jointly in the Nimrah Masjid of ‘Arafat on that day, and Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ are offered after returning to Muzdalfah at the time of ‘Ishaa’.

‘Al- Mash-‘aril-Haraam – (the Sacred Monument) Mash-‘ar

means the sign or emblem and the word Haraam discloses its dignity. It is that particular place which is situated between the two hills of Muzdalfah. However the entire Muzdalfah is also called the Sacred Monument (Mash-‘aril-Haraam).

Muzdalfah – It is at the distance of six miles from Makkah Mo-‘azmah. There is a direct pathway from Minaaa to ‘Arafat and the Pilgrims proceed to ‘Arafat from that way on ninth Zul-Hijjah. But on return from ‘Arafat it is prescribed to use the other pathway. The Muzdalfah is situated on that pathway. The Caravans of the Pilgrims stay here at night and pass their entire time in the Masjid over the hill offering prayers, worshiping, begging mercy, repentance, penitence and remembrance of God Almighty.

There are three Duties to be observed compulsorily out of all the acts of Pilgrimage:

1.     To tie the ‘Ihraam

2.   To be present in ‘Arafat on ninth Zul-Hijjah which is also called Wuquuf

3.   To go round the Holy Shrine (Tawaaf of Khana Ka’-ba) – it is the most important action out of the three acts. It has been told in this verse that while you return from the ‘Arafat, then remember Allah Almighty during the stay at Muzdalfah begging mercy, repentance and remain busy in worshiping the God Almighty.   

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)