Araf Day (08/07)

Araf Day is celebrated on the 9th day of the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar of Dhul-Hijjah. The day Hajj participants visit Mount Arafat near Mecca, where pilgrims perform prayer at the foot. Mount Arafat — is the place where, according to legend, Adam and Eve met after being expelled from paradise.

Araf Day — is the most memorable of the days of Allah. For doing good deeds at this time, the reward increases many times over. Just like the weight of sins on this day increases several times. Before sunset, you need to stand and atone for your sins. Saudi Arabia claims: these mass rituals are visible even from space.

Whatever pious deed a person commits while striving for Allah with pure intention, on the Day of Judgment he will undoubtedly see a reward for it. The most important of those actions that bring believers closer to Allah is fasting on the day of Arafah. The prophet was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah. And he replied: «This is the cleansing of sins for the previous and subsequent year».

There are a number of mandatory conditions for performing the Hajj: (1) one must reach the age of majority; 2) be mentally healthy; 3) Be a Muslim; 4) be free; (5) To have sufficient means to secure his pilgrimage and the maintenance of the family remaining at home; (6) To be aware of and not to deny the obligation of the Hajj; (7) Get on the road in advance in order to be in time by the time the Hajj begins.

In addition to the above conditions, there are other conditions for performing the Hajj: (1) good health; (2) No impediment to pilgrimage (such as being under criminal investigation); 3) ensuring travel safety; (4) The woman has an accompanying person. When performing the Hajj, a Muslim is obliged to perform the following rituals: (1) dress in the robes of a pilgrim, which marks his entry into a state of physical and spiritual purity; (2) To make the first detour around the Kaaba (the main Muslim shrine towards which Muslims turn during prayer); (3) To stand in the valley of Arafat, offering prayers to the Most High; 4) To make a second (farewell) detour around the Kaaba after standing in the Arafat Valley. After dressing in ritual clothes, a Muslim performs a prayer and addresses the Almighty with the following words: «Here I am before You, Lord! There is no equal to You! Here I am in front of You! Truly praise be to You, mercy and power! There is no equal to You!».

While the pilgrim is in a state of ritual purity, he is prohibited from certain actions that may invalidate the Hajj. For example, engaging in trade, marital relations, smoking and more.

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