Secrets of Wuquf in Arafat: Difference between revisions

'''Secrets of Wuquf in Arafat''' refers to the hidden truths and wisdom behind the stay of [[Hajj]] pilgrims in the land of [[Arafat]]. In religious sources, this act is described as more than just an outward ritual; it is considered the "truth of Hajj" and the "[[Greater Hajj]]" (Hajj al-Akbar). It is narrated that on the afternoon of the [[Day of Arafah]], God takes pride in the servants residing in Arafat before the angels.

Arafat is the place where, according to traditions, the repentance of [[Adam (AS)]] was accepted, and thus it is a place for the forgiveness of sins. It has been said that the stay outside the boundaries of the Haram (the sacred sanctuary) prepares a person to enter the divine sanctuary. Furthermore, the plain of Arafat is considered a reminder of the scene of the Resurrection due to the gathering of the [[pilgrims]].

{{main|Wuquf in Arafat}}Wuquf (staying) in Arafat is the second obligatory act of [[Hajj]]<ref>''Farhang-e Estelahat-e Hajj va Omreh'' (Dictionary of Hajj and Umrah Terms), p. 275.</ref> during which, according to [[Shia]] jurisprudence, the pilgrim remains in [[Arafat]] on the [[Day of Arafah]] from noon until the canonical sunset.<ref>See: ''Manasek-e Hajj'' (Hajj Rituals), pp. 451-452.</ref> This [[Wuquf]], to the extent that staying there (even for a short duration) is fulfilled, is also counted among the [[pillars of Hajj]].<ref>See: ''Manasek-e Hajj'', pp. 450-451.</ref> Backgrounds for [[Wuquf in Arafat]] have been reported from the pre-Islamic era.<ref name=":0">''Hajj dar Andisheh-ye Eslami'' (Hajj in Islamic Thought), p. 234, citing: ''Akhbar-e Makkah'', Azraqi, Vol. 1, p. 117.</ref> Followers of religions that considered [[Hajj]] obligatory would perform Wuquf in Arafat during their pilgrimages in all eras. In the [[Age of Ignorance]] (Jahiliyyah), a group of the [[Jurhum]] tribe would also perform Wuquf in Arafat, following the tradition of [[Abraham (AS)]].<ref name=":03">''Hajj dar Andisheh-ye Eslami'', p. 234, citing: ''Akhbar-e Makkah'', Azraqi, Vol. 1, p. 117.</ref> Some tribes of [[Quraysh]] and the [[inhabitants of Mecca]] refrained from performing Wuquf in Arafat.<ref name=":03" />

Fasting,<ref>''Darsnameh-ye Manasek-e Hajj'' (Textbook of Hajj Rituals), p. 59.</ref> [[repentance]],<ref>''Misbah al-Shari'ah'', p. 92; ''al-Mahajjah al-Bayda'', Vol. 2, p. 207.</ref> and reciting [[supplications]] such as the [[Dua Arafah of Imam Hussain (text)|Dua Arafah]] by [[Imam Hussain (AS)]]<ref>''Darsnameh-ye Manasek-e Hajj'', p. 60.</ref> and the [[Dua Arafah of Imam Sajjad|Dua Arafah]] by [[Imam Sajjad (AS)]]<ref>''Hajj va Omreh dar Quran va Hadith'' (Hajj and Umrah in the Quran and Hadith), p. 392.</ref> are among the recommended acts and etiquettes of the stay in Arafat. Among the etiquettes of being in Arafat are "performing the Dhuhr and Asr prayers at the beginning of their time, with one [[Adhan and Iqamah|Adhan]] and two [[Adhan and Iqamah|Iqamahs]]"<ref>''Darsnameh-ye Manasek-e Hajj'', p. 59.</ref> and the "necessity of outward purity"<ref>''Da'a'im al-Islam'', Vol. 1, p. 320.</ref> and "inward purity."<ref>''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 66; ''al-Faqih'', Vol. 2, p. 211.</ref>{{note|Imam Sadiq (AS) has said: "It is not proper to perform Wuquf in Arafat without purity."}}

It is also narrated from the [[Prophet (PBUH)]] that on the afternoon of the [[Day of Arafah]], God boasts to His angels about the people of Arafat, saying: "Look at My servants who have come to Me disheveled and covered in dust."<ref>''Bihar al-Anwar'', Vol. 99, p. 13, H. 42.</ref>

One of the secrets of gathering in this land is that the presence of the general public, even sinners, alongside the saints of God, causes everyone to be covered by divine mercy through the blessing of their presence<ref>''Partovi az Mash'al-e Hedayat: Asrar va Ma'aref-e Hajj'' (A Glimpse of the Torch of Guidance: Secrets and Knowledge of Hajj), p. 22; ''Wafi'', Vol. 2, p. 42.</ref> and for everyone's prayers to be accepted.<ref>''al-Muraqabat'', Vol. 2, p. 225.</ref> According to traditions, the stay in Arafat is a special time and place for the forgiveness of sins<ref>''al-Faqih'', Vol. 2, p. 211; ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 541, H. 7; ''Da'a'im al-Islam'', Vol. 2, p. 294; ''al-Sunan al-Kubra'', Vol. 5, p. 192; ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 66.</ref> and is the same time and place where the repentance of [[Adam (AS)]] was accepted.<ref>''Wasa'il al-Shia'', Vol. 13, p. 550; ''Ilal al-Shara'i'', Vol. 2, p. 400.</ref> According to some traditions, Satan makes a greater effort to mislead humans on the Day of Arafah; therefore, seeking refuge in God on this day is recommended.<ref>''al-Tahdhib'', Vol. 5, p. 182; ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 463.</ref> Some traditions also consider the descent of divine mercy as the cause of Satan's despair on the [[Day of Arafah]].<ref>''Kashf al-Asrar'', Vol. 1, p. 525.</ref>

In a hadith from [[Imam Ali (AS)]], the reason for the obligation of the stay in Arafat (which is outside the [[Meccan Haram]]) is explained as follows: this stay creates preparation for the [[pilgrim]], meaning that the visitor to the [[Kaaba]] supplicates before the greatness of God outside the boundaries of the [[Meccan Haram]] until they become worthy of entering the Haram.<ref>''Jor'eh-i az Sahba-ye Hajj'' (A Sip of the Wine of Hajj), p. 203, citing: ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 224.</ref>

Some consider the secret of the gathering of all [[pilgrims]] in [[Arafat]] to be a reminder of the [[Resurrection]], believing that the visitor to the House of God should be reminded of the stations of the gathering and the afterlife by seeing the bare heads and shroud-clad bodies.<ref>''Partovi az Mash'al-e Hedayat: Asrar va Ma'aref-e Hajj'', p. 22.</ref> Furthermore, the brevity of the time of Arafah is considered a reminder of the short duration of the world for taking advantage of the opportunity to gather provisions for the afterlife.<ref>''Dar Bargah-e Noor'' (In the Court of Light), p. 97.</ref>

Based on some recommendations, greater vigilance against Satan's temptations is necessary in Arafat; the secret of this advice is stated as follows: Arafat is one of the best places for turning toward God and seeking forgiveness,<ref>''Darsnameh-ye Pishdaramadi bar Farhangnameh-ye Asrar va Ma'aref-e Hajj'' (A Textbook Introduction to the Encyclopedia of Secrets and Knowledge of Hajj), p. 199.</ref> and as some traditions explicitly state, Satan makes a greater effort to mislead humans on the Day of Arafah; therefore, seeking refuge in God on this day is recommended.<ref>''al-Tahdhib'', Vol. 5, p. 182; ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 4, p. 463.</ref> The reason for Satan's despair on the Day of Arafah is considered to be the outpouring of divine mercy upon those present.<ref>''Kashf al-Asrar'', Vol. 1, p. 525.</ref>

== Footnotes ==

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