Arafat Will Echo with “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk”
Today is the day of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Millions of Muslims from all over the world will gather at Arafat, a sacred ground near Makkah, and chant:
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am).
Wearing plain, white, unstitched clothes called Ihram, the pilgrims will remain at Arafat from sunrise to sunset.
Hajj Began on 8th Zil-Hajj at Mina
The main rituals of Hajj started on Wednesday, 8th Zil-Hajj (4 June), when pilgrims began gathering in Mina, known as the “City of Tents.”
Many pilgrims had already reached Mina on Tuesday night (3 June).
Saudi organizers, known as Muallims, started moving pilgrims to Mina early to manage the large crowd. After the Isha prayer, pilgrims put on Ihram and left their hotels in Makkah for Mina.
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Five-Day Journey of Worship Begins
The Hajj starts with the journey to Mina and ends on 12th Zil-Hajj with the stoning of the devil ritual.
This year, 85,164 pilgrims from Bangladesh are performing Hajj along with Muslims from other countries.
In Mina, 18 teams were assigned to help and serve the Bangladeshi pilgrims.
Spiritual Atmosphere in Mina
On Wednesday, the tents in Mina echoed with the continuous chanting of:
“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk.”
Pilgrims spent the entire day and night in worship—offering prayers, making zikr (remembrance of Allah), and reciting the Talbiyah.
They performed all five daily prayers: Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr.
Staying overnight in Mina is considered a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnat-e-Muakkadah).
Journey to Arafat Begins Early
Although pilgrims usually travel to Arafat after sunrise on 9th Zil-Hajj (today), many were taken there during the night to avoid overcrowding.
Arafat is about 15 km from Mina. It is a 4-square-mile flat land, surrounded by hills.
One corner of Arafat holds the famous Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah), where over 1,400 years ago, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave his Farewell Sermon.
Standing at Arafat is the main ritual of Hajj. Even sick pilgrims are brought here by ambulance.
Khutbah (Sermon) from Masjid al-Namirah
This year, the Khutbah of Hajj will be delivered from Masjid al-Namirah by Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Humaid, a senior Imam of Masjid al-Haram.
He will also lead the prayer.
The sermon will be translated into Bangla by four Bangladeshi students studying in Saudi Arabia:
- Dr. Khaleelur Rahman
- A.F.M. Wahidur Rahman Makki
- Mubinur Rahman Farooq
- Nazmus Saqib
The sermon will be translated into 20 other languages as well.
Eid al-Adha and Rituals on 10th Zil-Hajj
On Friday (10th Zill-Hajj), pilgrims will go to the Jamarat area in Mina to stone the biggest pillar (symbolic devil).
After this ritual, they will perform animal sacrifice (Qurbani) and shave their heads (men) or trim their hair (women).
Then, they will remove the white Ihram and wear regular clothes.
Tawaf and Sa’i in Makkah
After changing into regular clothes, pilgrims will return to Makkah to perform Tawaf (7 times circling the Kaaba).
Then they will complete Sa’i, walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Final Days at Mina and Farewell Tawaf
After Sa’i, pilgrims will go back to Mina and stay for two or three more days (11th to 12th or 13th Zil-Hajj).
Each day, they will throw 7 stones at three symbolic devils (small, middle, and big).
Once all rituals in Mina are complete, they will return to Makkah for the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wida).
This final circling of the Kaaba completes the Hajj journey.
Health and Safety Prepared for the Heat
Due to the high temperatures in Arafat, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has advised pilgrims to stay inside tents from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Saudi Deputy Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Asiri said that this year, over 50,000 health and admin staff are working for the safety of pilgrims—more than last year.
To manage heat-related illnesses, over 700 hospital beds have been prepared.
Medical support has been increased by 60% compared to last year.
Source: Ntv
