Today, the ninth day of Muslim Zul-Hijja, is Arafat Day, described in Muslim world as a mini resurrection day. It is a day that precedes the Eid-el-Kabir where Muslims slaughter rams and other recommended animals as sacrifice in honour of Allah, the way Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) did it. It is a day in which everyone is for himself and Allah is for all. It is a day of prayers, difficulties, cries, tears, tribulations and joy.
Over three million Muslims are said to have arrived in the Holy land and are from the dawn of today, Wednesday, taking part in the great movement from Minah to the Arafat plain in vehicles, on camels’ backs, on foot and other forms of movement. They will remain on Mount Arafat until early evening (Maghrib) prayers from where they would move en mass to Muzdalifah. The distance between Mina and Mount Arafat is about 20 kilometres.
Taking place roughly 70 days after the end of Ramadan, Arafat Day marks the second day of Hajj. The occasion marks the day when a verse of the Holy Quran revealed that Islam was perfected, and when Allah’s blessings were completed.
To complete the Hajj, Muslims must stand on Mount Arafat, or the pilgrimage becomes invalid. Muslims who have completed the Hajj have their sins expiated.
Those who are unable to travel to Mecca for Hajj may fast instead.
Mount Arafat is the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke his Farewell Sermon thus:
After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib shall henceforth be waived…
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”
Thus the Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:
“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)
Even today, the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts. [myad]
