MECCA (DIIRAD) – Over 2.5 million hajj pilgrims from across the globe have begun pouring in Mina in the first phase of hajj pilgrimage after tawaf (circumambulation) of the holy Baitullah al-Haram (Sacred House of Allah) and Sa’ai (Running between the two holy hills).

Pilgrims offered Fajr prayers (Dawn prayers) in Mecca. Hajis (hajj pilgrims) stayed one day (Friday) in Mina, the city of tents and will leave for Arafat, the main pillar of hajj Saturday morning.

At Arafat plains, Zuhr and Asr prayers will jointly offered after hajj sermon. Pilgrims will keep offering prayers the entire day.

It is pertinent to note here Wuquf in Arafat is performed from Zuhr to sunset on the 9th of Zul Hijjah of Islamic year. The main action in Wuquf is not to pray lots of Nafls but to just stand facing the Baitul Haram (Sacred House) asking Allah (SWT) for forgiveness while recognizing Him as our Lord. The holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Al Hajjul Arafah,” means ‘standing in Arafat’ is the Hajj.

Before Maghrib, revered pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah, where they will jointly offer Maghrib and Isha prayers.

Hajj pilgrims will gather small pebbles to throw at Satans from Muzdalifah, where they will stay overnight with prayers and Allah’s ibadat.

Pilgrims will leave for Mina on Sunday morning, where they will throw stones at Satans (Ramy al-Jamarat) first at the biggest Satan, then the middle one and in the end, stones will be thrown at the youngest pillar of Satan.

After the observance of Ramy al-Jamarat, revered pilgrims will sacrifice animals and then they will get their heads shaved off. Afterwards, they will take off Ahram (white sheets worn during Hajj) and put on their normal dress.

Pilgrims will stay for more two days in Mina. Then, hajis will leave for the holy land of Makkah on Sunday for Tawaf of Ka’abatullah. On Monday, Ramy al-Jamarat once again will be performed and pilgrims will spend the entire day and night in Allah’s ibadat.

On Tuesday, after performance of Ramy al-Jamarat for the last time, pilgrims will leave Mina before Maghrib time

Sheikh Abdul-Hayi Sheikh Ibrahim said the 9th of this month marking Arafat day is the sacred day, adding that this day is a day of worship.

Looking at Arafat mountain, it is like the day of doomsday, Ibrahim said in an interview with Shabelle Media Network.

He called for all Muslims around the world to fast this day. He said all people including the kings, presidents and rich and poor people are standing today in Arafat, all are same.