Hajj part 2

Well on the next step in the Hajj is the stay at the Plains of Arafat. This is were people are to stand during the day. Most people walk around and speak with others or sit in quite place and simply read the Quran. Every year it is at Arafat that the Islamic Republic of Iran makes some statement on the state of affairs in the Muslim world to the consternation of the Saudi authorities. Others will head over to Jabal ar-Rahma (Mountain of Mercy) and make the ascent to reach the pillar that sits atop the mountain. It is called a mountain however it is no more than a small hill. It is believed that it is at this place where and when all the pilgrims sins are forgiven. This is because it is believed that after Prophet Adam and his wife Eve were sent to earth for their disobedience they were separated for 200 years and reunited at the Jabal ar-Rahma.

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Sometime after night fall the pilgrims begin their journey towards Muzdalifa. The pilgrims are expected to reach Muzdalifa and stay the night there collecting stones (at least 49) for the next day's ceremony of stoning the devil. Most caravans however have their people collect stones before the Hajj starts so that there will be no need to stop in Muzdalifa and simply travel through. The reason is that the trip though short takes many hours because of the many tour buses and people on the same roads. Most people make the majority of the journey on foot. My personal experience was that we walked from just outside of the Plain of Arafat through Muzdalifa and onto Mina through the entire night with nothing more than a 30 minutes rest.

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Next blog will be about Mina and the day of Eid Al-Adha.