Chapter XVI: Section IV: —Of Wukuf, or standing upon Mount Arafat

The days of pilgrimage are three in number: namely, the 8th, the 9th, and the 10th of the month Zul Hijjah.[FN#30]

On the first day (8th), called Yaum al-Tarwiyah, the pilgrim should start from Meccah after the dawn-prayer and sunrise, perform his noontide, afternoon, and evening devotions at Muna, where it is a Sunnat that he should sleep.[FN#31]

[p.290]On the second day (9th), the Yaum Arafat, after performing the early prayer at Ghalas (i.e. when a man cannot see his neighbours face) on Mount Sabir, near Muna, the pilgrim should start when the sun is risen, proceed to the Mountain of Mercy, encamp there, and after performing the noontide and afternoon devotions at Masjid Ibrahim,[FN#32] joining and shortening them,[FN#33] he should take his station upon the mountain, which is all standing ground. But the best position is that preferred by the Prophet, near the great rocks lying at the lower slope of Arafat. He must be present at the sermon,[FN#34] and be abundant in Talbiyat (supplication), Tahlil (recitations of the chapter Say he is the one God![FN#35]), and weeping, for that is the place for the outpouring of tears. There he should stay till sunset, and then decamp and return hastily to Muzdalifah, where he should pass a portion of the night.[FN#36] After a visit to the Mosque Mashr al-Harim, he should collect seven pebbles and proceed to Muna.[FN#37]

Yaum al-Nahr, the third day of the pilgrimage (10th Zul Hijjah), is the great festival of the Moslem year. Amongst

[p.291] its many names,[FN#38] id al-Kurban is the best known, as expressive of Ibrahims sacrifice in lieu of Ismail. Most pilgrims, after casting stones at the Akabah, or Great Devil, hurry to Meccah. Some enter the Kaabah, whilst others content themselves with performing the Tawaf al-Ifazah, or circumambulation of impetuosity, round the house.[FN#39] The pilgrim should then return to Muna, sacrifice a sheep, and sleep there. Strictly speaking, this day concludes the pilgrimage.

The second set of trois jours, namely, the 11th,[FN#40] the 12th, and the 13th of Zul Hijjah, are called Ayyam al-Tashrik, or the days of drying flesh in the sun. The pilgrim should spend that time at Muna,[FN#41] and each day throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars.[FN#42]

When throwing the stones, it is desirable that the pilgrim should cast them far from himself, although he is allowed to place them upon the pillar. The act also should be performed after the Zawal, or declension of the sun. The pilgrim should begin with the pillar near the Masjid al-Khayf, proceed to the Wusta, or central column, and end with the Akabah. If unable to cast the stones during the daytime, he is allowed to do it at night.

The throwing over:The pilgrim returns to Meccah, and when his journey is fixed, performs the Tawaf al-Widaa (of farewell). On this occasion it is a Sunnat to drink the waters of Zemzem, to enter the temple with more than usual

[p.292] respect and reverence, and bidding it adieu, to depart from the Holy City.

The Moslem is especially forbidden to take with him cakes made of the earth or dust of the Harim, and similar mementoes, as they savour of idolatry.