‘Hajj Yatra’ is overall an important day journey which consists of 5 sacred days. Every year about 2 million Muslim pilgrims around the world hands-join this journey to observe the fifth pillar together.

What Are Hajj Days According to Islamic Calendar?

Pilgrims perform pilgrimage in the last Islamic month on the marked days’ 9th of Dhul-Hijjah to 12th Dhul Hijjah’. In this time period, pilgrims commute from Makkah to Mina and after the dawn prayers; pilgrims route to Arafat.

Five Days of Hajj Well-Explained for Pilgrims

Although, Hajj itself, on the whole, holds all divine days spend by the pilgrims in constant prayers. Only half of us know, how meaningful the Hajj rituals which are divided into parts. In like manner, it is also an important day to know its religious and social consequences.

1. 8th Dhul-Hijjah

Hajj journey starts from this date as pilgrims are briefed about the very first duty and prohibition of Ihram. Pilgrims after doing the Niyah go to Mina and offer mandatory prayers.

2. 9th Dhul-Hijjah

On the second important day, pilgrims leave Mina after morning prayers and arrive at Arafat. On Mount Arafat, pilgrims stand deep in thought in surveillance for their past sins forgiven. It is considered to be one of the most important days as all pilgrims seek the utmost mercy of Allah and listen to scholar’s sermons near the Jabal-al-Rahmah.

Pilgrims then go to Muzdalifah after sunset and spend the night on the ground, collecting pebbles for the next morning. The next important day is for carrying out the ritual of stoning the devil.

3.  10th Dhul-Hijjah

The third is known as Eid-al-Asha and takes place when pilgrims return to Mina for the stoning of the devil. (Ramy al-Jamarat).  For this event, male pilgrims have to shave their hair and females must trim off their hair tips.

Pilgrims in memory of Abraham and Ishmael also slaughter animals by themselves.

4.            11th and 12th Dhul-Hijjah

Fourth and fifth dates are also fulfilled in stoning three walls by throwing seven pebbles. It is carried out at noon and the pilgrims have to Mina for Makkah before sunset 12th. Before leaving, pilgrims perform a farewell Tawaaf which means circulating the Ka’bah seven times and kissing the K’abah who can.

From all, Arafat is said to be the Most Important Day of Hajj

It is true that “Arafat represents the essence of Hajj,” Dr. Bilal Philips said. Muslims sins are forgiven while seeking the highest mercy standing on the mount.

The Prophet Mohammed said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year.” Its importance lies in the fact that if a pilgrim misses this date then he cannot play a role of a substitute on any other important day.

Why is Arafat So Special?

Those who are not performing Hajj should observe a fast as he/she will get a special reward. It is also considered to be a most value-loaded span of fasting in the Islamic year. It is an important day of Hajj because Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon speech addressing about 11,400 pilgrims.

Prophet Mohammad said: “There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the Day of Arafat,” in reference to the fires of Hell.