ʿARAFĀT (عرفات)
Definition
ʿArafāt ( عرفات\s), also known as ʿArafah, refers to the mount and plain near Makkah where pilgrims gather to perform crucial rituals of Hajj, specifically on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. This event is a pivotal part of the pilgrimage, marked by prayer, reflection, and the K͟hut̤bah (sermon).
Etymology
The name “ʿArafāt” derives from the Arabic root “ʿ-R-F,” which conveys notions of recognition and knowing. It suggests the meeting or recognition between Adam and Eve as told in various legends invoking their reunion at this sacred site.
Background
The Mount of ʿArafāt is situated about 12 miles from the holy city of Makkah. It has historically been the place where pilgrims stand in prayer and reflection from midday until sunset on the day of ʿArafah. This practice is considered among the most significant rites of Hajj.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Across various Muslim cultures, the essential practices at ʿArafāt remain similar—prayer, reflection, and communal experience. However, there can be variations in the forms of supplications (Duʿāʾ), local customs, and accompanying readings or chants (Dhikr).
Synonyms
- Jabal al-Raḥmah (جبل الرحمة) - The Mount of Mercy
- Maṣʿar al-Ḥarām (موقف الحرام) - The Sacred Site
Antonyms
- Disperse - Reflecting the opposite of gathering that occurs at ʿArafāt.
- Forgetfulness - In opposition to the “recognition” implied in the name ʿArafāt.
Related Terms
- Ḥajj (حج): The Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, typically performed once in a lifetime by those who can afford it.
- ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā (عيد الأضحى): The festival marking the end of Hajj, beginning the day after `Arafah.
- Miqat (مواقيت): The pilgrimage boundary - geographic points at which pilgrims must declare their intention of Ḥajj or ʿUmrah.
Exciting Facts
- Legend of Reunion: According to Islamic tradition, ʿArafāt marks the place where Adam and Eve reunited after being cast from Paradise.
- Day of Prayer: The day of ʿArafah is considered one of the most sacred days for Muslims, even for those not performing Hajj, as prayers and supplications made on this day have profound significance.
- Prophet’s K͟hut̤bah: During his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet Muhammad delivered a sermon at ʿArafāt, emphasizing essential Muslim tenets and concluding with his historic plea for not to fight among Muslims.
Quotations
“I stood here on the day of `Arafah, and all of us stood here. Every place in ʿArafāt is a place of standing.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih Muslim)
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for whomsoever can find a way thither.” — Surah Al-Imran [3:97]
Suggested Literature
- “The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places” by F.E. Peters
- “The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an” by Marmaduke Pickthall
- “Islamic Pilgrimages: Hajj and ʿUmrah” by Syed Ameer Ali
- “The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet” by Saifur Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri
Further Studies
- Exploring the changing functions and structures of pilgrimage practices, like those described in “Veil and Access: Elias Modern Re-Conceptualization of Sacred Texts.”
- Academic pursuits on the anthropological insights found in “Iron House and Stone Places: Ceremonial Mapping of ʿArafat and Inclusive Aspects.”
May your quest for knowledge illuminate your soul and guide strangers to the divine embrace of understanding like the mount of ʿArafāt witnesses the serene sobs of faithful pilgrims each year.
Yusuf Al-Muhajir 🕌 October 5, 2023
