Mecca Sharif, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates: 21.354831, 39.983886
Mount Arafat also known by its Arabic name Jabal Arafat, and by its other Arabic name, Jabal ar-Rahmah is a hill about 20 km southeast of Mecca in the Makkah Province of Saudi Arabia.
The mountain is approximately 70 m in height. Its highest point sits at an elevation of 454 m.
According to Islamic traditions, the hill is the place where the Hz. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon, also known as the Khutbat al-Wada, to his companions (sahaba) who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life.
Muslims also believe that Mount Arafat is the place where Adam and Eve (Hawa) reunited on Earth after falling from Heaven, believing the mountain to be the place where they were forgiven, hence giving it the name Jabal ar-Rahmah, meaning ‘Mountain of Mercy’. A pillar is erected on top of the mountain to show where this event is believed to have taken place.
It is at this place in the plains of Arafat, pilgrims for Hajj assemble & seek forgiveness of Allah for all their sins and He does not disappoint them. Seeing such a great mercy of Allah on that particular day, Satan runs away from here with great remorse & sadness.
During Hajj
The mountain is especially important during the Hajj, with the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, also known as the Day of Arafah after the mountain itself, being the day when Hajj pilgrims leave Mina for Arafat; this day is considered to be the most important day of the Hajj.
The khutbah (sermon) is delivered and Zuhr and Asr prayers are prayed together in the valley. The pilgrims spend the whole day on the mountain invoking Allah to forgive their sins.
Arafat rituals end at sunset and pilgrims then move to Muzdalifah for Maghrib prayer and a shortened Isha prayer and for a short rest.
Since late 2010, this place is served by Mecca Metro. On a normal Hajj, it would be around 21 km (13 mi) to walk.
Visiting this place is a fundamental requirement of Hajj. To climb up to the top of the mount is a tough undertaking with steep steps cut into the hill. One gets a feeling of awe when one reaches the top. Some traders have set up shops selling beads, caps & other such stuff, spread on sheets.
Know This
Try to gather by noon so you can get a good place to sit and listen to khutba hajj and offer prayers. Do bring water and umbrella as it is hot during the hajj day.
