Faults committed in `Arafat (a mountain near Makkah)

The first fault:

Staying outside the boundaries of `Arafat:

Some pilgrims stay outside the boundaries of `Arafat until sunset then they go to Al Muzdalifah without standing at `Arafat which is a terrible error that annuls their Hajj because Hajj is spending the Day at `Arafah as was reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him); this is the most important part of Hajj. Its time starts from the noon of the 9<sup>th</sup> day of Dhul-Hijjah until the dawn of the 10<sup>th</sup> of Dhul-Hijjah. Abandoning this pillar annuls the Hajj, so it is the duty of a pilgrim to stay in the boundaries of `Arafat and a pilgrim has to make sure of that as long as there are guidelines to indicate the boundaries of `Arafat.

The second fault:

Indulging in backbiting, tale bearing, and smoking on the day of `Arafat:

However, the correct is to indulge in something useful either in the world or in the Hereafter, so a pilgrim should ask Allah for the goodness of the world and the Hereafter, pronounce Tahlil (saying: There is no god but Allah), and pronounce Takbir by saying: "Allahu Akbar" because of the Messenger's saying: "The best invocation is the invocation on the Day of `Arafah. And the best thing that I or the Prophets before me have said is: La Ilaha Illa Allah Wahdahu La Sharika Lah, Lahul-Mulku, Walahu Al Hamdu, wahuwa `Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadir [There is no deity but Allah alone without partner, His is the sovereignty, and to Him is the praise, and He is over all things wholly capable]." [Reported by Imam Ahmad and At-Tirmidhy].

A pilgrim may pronounce Talbiyah, saying: "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, Labbayka la sharika Laka labbayk, Inna Al Hamda Wan-Ni`mat Laka Wal Mulk La Sharika Lak [O Allah, here I am responding to Your Call, verily praise and favor belong to You. There is no partner with You in worship]."

Some people may go wild and take some games with them such as backgammon, solitaire, chess, or (narghile) or smoking. They have forgotten Allah's Saying: "Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allâh] and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts." [Surat Hajj: 34].

The third fault:

Some pilgrims accumulate dust and pebbles on the Day of `Arafah (9^th of Dhul-Hijjah) from certain places:

It is an act that was not reported and has no proof.

The fourth fault:

Some pilgrims believe that they should ascend Al Rahmah Mountain at the rocks at which the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood:

However, the correct is the permissibility of standing at any place in `Arafat. Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud reported that when the Messenger (peace be upon him) stood at the mountain of Al Rahmah, he said: I stood here, and any place in `Arafah is part of it.

So, it is not permissible for a pilgrim to exert efforts to reach the Mountain of Al Rahmah although it is permissible to stand at any spot in `Arafah, particularly in these days when pilgrims are over than 3 millions. So, if all pilgrims want to stand at the rocks as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did, bad consequences shall take place as a result of pushing one another as it happens at throwing the pebbles.

It is better to take the concession of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and stand at any spot in `Arafat, especially for women, old people, and the disabled to be in conformity with the Hadith which says that any part of `Arafah is permissible to stand at.

The fifth fault:

Some pilgrims believe that it is a Sunnah to fast on the day of `Arafah:

However, the correct is that pilgrims should not fast the day of `Arafah because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not fast on the day of the Farewell Hajj. It was reported in Sunan Abu Dawud that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade the fasting of the day of `Arafah for pilgrims.

The sixth fault:

Some people believe that pilgrims should perform Salatul-`Eid either in Makkah or in Mina:

However, the correct is: Pilgrims should not perform Salatul-`Eid because they are engaged in the actions of Hajj and they should not perform Friday Salah if it comes on the day of `Arafah.

Imam Malik (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: Friday Salah is not obligatory on the day of `Arafah or in Mina during Hajj (for pilgrims).

The seventh fault:

Leaving `Arafah before sunset:

It is not permissible to leave `Arafah before sunset because the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood at `Arafah until the sun had set; and he said: Take your rituals from me.