* As Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid delivers sermon
+ Why Saudi orders ‘stay in tents’ for six hours
Over 60,000 Nigerian pilgrims have joined their counterparts from around the world to converge on the sacred plains of Arafah, for a day of intense prayers and reflection on this auspicious day which falls on Thursday, June 5, equivalent to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah.
As they moved in groups, they were seen chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am O Lord, answering your call) in unison, until they arrived the valley of Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to have delivered his final sermon 1,446 years ago, calling for equality and unity among Muslims.
The men cladded in unstitched pieces of white clothes known as ihram; the women adorned in modest Islamic attire – located and camped in their various tents categorised according to states and countries. There were also different tents for pilgrims of private tour operators which were provided by the Saudi authorities.
On this sacred Day of #Arafah, raise your hands in sincere supplication. Pray for yourself, your parents, your family, your livelihood & those in leadership. Remember the Ummah of Islam, especially our oppressed brothers and sisters in Palestine. #Hajj2025 #Mina #NAHCONHAJJ2025 pic.twitter.com/BQR5AbK17m
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) June 5, 2025
Respected Muslim scholar, Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon from Masjid Al-Nimra before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together.
While in Arafah, pilgrims will be engaged in series of supplications – both individuals and collective. Many State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have concluded plans to organise special prayers for their States while the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON ) is expected to hold a prayer for the nation and the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, later today.
Muslim News gathered that many of them are expected to observe their prayers and supplications in their respective tents between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in adherence to the Saudi Arabia authorities directive due to high temperature.
The Kingdom through the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq Al-Rabiah had earlier requested that pilgrims refrain from leaving their tents between the periods to protect their health and prevent any heat stress
There, pilgrims assemble on the 70-meter (230-foot) high hill and its surrounding plain for hours of prayer and Qur’an recitation, staying there until evening.
There is little to no shade on Mount Arafat, leaving pilgrims directly exposed to the harsh desert sun for hours.
“We warn against climbing mountains or high places on the Day of Arafat, as it causes extreme physical exertion and increases the risk of heat exhaustion,” the health ministry said in a separate statement carried by SPA.
Significance of Arafat
The day of Arafat marks the pinnacle of the annual hajj exercise. Any pilgrim who is not at Arafat has not performed hajj, the fifth and last pillar of Islam. Importantly, standing at Arafat is a religious duty that leads to the forgiveness of all sins with prayers readily accepted by Almighty Allah
The day of Arafat, therefore, is very dear to the hearts of over 1.5 million Muslims that are performing Hajj 2025. On the other hand, fasting on the day of Arafat is equally very significant to Muslims who are not at Arafat. The Prophet (SAW) encouraged Muslims who are not performing hajj to fast on this day, hoping it expiates the sins of the previous and the coming years.
The day of Arafat is also special because it’s the day Allah perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His servants, and approved Islam as a way of life for humanity (Qur’an, 5:3).
The day of Arafat is significant because Allah swore by this day in the Qur’an, in Surah Al-Buruj. Almighty Allah swears by nothing except that which is great and mighty, so the day of Arafat is greatly significant (Qur’an, 85: 1-3).
Why it’s called Jabal Ar-Rahmah
Islamic literatures show that Prophet Adam (AS) and his wife, Hawau first met on Mount Arafat after they were banished from paradise by Allah to a separate location on earth for eating the forbidden fruit. Confirming this, an Islamic scholar and Hajj instructor, Ustadh Abdulhamid Ismail said;
“When our first parents, Adam and Hawau committed a sin while in paradise, they sought Allah’s forgiveness, and He eventually forgave them but on one condition – they were sent away from paradise. History has it that they later reunited on the Mount Arafat! That’s why Arafat is called Jabal Ar-Rahmah, meaning ‘Mountain of Mercy’.
Speaking further, the scholar said, “On this day, this plain of (Arafat) is significant to all pilgrims. The Rahmah (blessings) of Allah descends on whoever observes salat (prayers) and du’a (supplications). At this point, it’s no longer an ordinary mountain and not in any way comparable with any other rock elsewhere.”
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