Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies — Page 29
A view of Mina where pilgrims offer the sacrifices of animals. iv) Visiting Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa: On the 8th of Dhul. Hijjah the pilgrims leave Mecca for Mina and spend the night there in prayer and meditation. Next day after Fajr Prayer they proceed to the plain of Arafat where they encamp. They arrive there after midday, offer Zuhr and Asr Prayers together and occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah till sunset. To stay at Arafat from post meridian till sunset is regarded as an important ritual of. Haj. Any pilgrim who arrives at Arafat before sunset on the 9th of. Dhul Hijjah is deemed to have participated in the Haj that year. . From Arafat they proceed to Muzdalifa where Maghrib and. Isha Prayers are combined and the night is spent in praising God. Almighty and in meditation. After Fajr Prayer next morning, just before sunrise, they travel back to Mina. v) Performing the Rami: On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah the pilgrims throw seven pebbles at Jumrat-ul-Aqba, one of the three pillars which represent Satan. This is called Rami. These pillars are erected on the site where Abraham was tempted by Satan against offering Ishmael as a sacrifice in the fulfilment of his dream. Rami may be repeated on the 11th, 12th and 13th DhulHijjah on each of the three pillars called Jumrat-ul-Oola, Jumrat-ul-Wasta and Jumrat-ulAqba. 29 29