The standing by pilgrims on mount Arafat (wuquf ul-Arafat) on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah is a fundamental pillar of hajj without which a Muslim’s pilgrimage, as an act of worship, remains invalid. There is simply no hajj without the rite of Arafat. While at Arafat, pilgrims are to combine the two noon prayers of Zuhr and Asr and observe them at the same time. They are thereafter encouraged to listen to the sermon (khutbah) of their prayer leader (Imam). Arafat is believed to be the place where Prophet Adam (AS) and Hawwau re-united after they were sent out of paradise for disobeying Allah’s injunction on the forbidden fruit.
Muslims who are not on pilgrimage are enjoined by the Prophet (SAW) to observe voluntary fast on the Arafat day. Fasting on this day is not recommended for Muslims on hajj as they are required by the rites of hajj to spend the day at the plain of Arafat. Imam Muslim (RA) reports on the authority of Aisha (RA) that there is no other day on which Allah (SWT) redeems His servants from hell fire like the day of Arafat. Abi Dardai (RA) also relates that the Prophet (SAW) said, “There is no day on which the devil is reduced to nothing, dislodged and frustrated like the Arafat day”. All the six compilers of hadith report on the authority of Abi Qatadah (RA) that when the Prophet (SAW) was asked about fasting on the Arafat day, he (SAW) replied “It expiates for the sins of the past year and those of the year ahead”.
Arafat is an important day in the spiritual life of Muslims, pilgrims as well as non-pilgrims. The Arafat day and Eidel-Kabir are both determined by the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims who reside outside Saudi Arabia are advised to be guided by the day announced by Saudi authorities as Arafat to forestall the risk of losing the benefits if the voluntary fast was observed on other than the day pilgrims stood (in worship) at the plain of Arafat.
Saudi authorities declared Wednesday October 17, 2012 as 1st Dhul-Hijjah; meaning that Thursday October 25, 2012 shall be this year’s Arafat day. The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria has equally declared that Eidel-kabir shall be observed in the country on Friday October 26, 2012. We seize this opportunity to once again remind ourselves of some of the requirements and regulations guiding sacrifices to be made on the occasion of Eidel-kabir. The act of slaughtering animal on Eidel-kabir day is called Dahiyyah, which is an Arabic word that stands for “sacrifice”. Dahiyyah is a prophetic tradition that is obligatory on all Muslims, male and female, who possess the wherewithal. Marital status is not a requirement for Dahiyyah.
According to Maliki School of Islamic jurisprudence, a ram or sheep should have attained a year or at least eight months. While a goat should have entered its second year, a cow is expected to have entered its fourth year. A camel should not be less than six years of age. It is not right to use a sick, emaciated or blind (partial or full) animal that has one or other deformities for the sacrifice. A slaughter-animal with broken horn(s) or split ear(s) should not also be used for Dahiyah. Maliki scholars are of the opinion that the one with a broken horn can be used if no blood gushed forth from the injury.
Anyone who slaughters his animal before the leader (emir/chief) of his place of residence slaughtered his own shall be considered to have made no sacrifice. If you reside in a place that has no leader, you are advised to delay your slaughtering until when presumably the leader in the community nearest to you would have slaughtered his animal. Believers are free to slaughter their animals within the stipulated three days (10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul –Hijjah). However, the first day, which is the 10th day Dhul-Hijjah, is preferred over the two succeeding days (i.e. 11th and 12th Dhul-Hijjah). The slaughtering on each of the days is preferred before sunset. Anyone who slaughters at night has also made no Dahiyah.
Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) recommends that Muslims should glorify Allah (SWT) after every obligatory prayer beginning from the Zuhr of the 10th Dhul-Hijjah to the Subhi of 13th Dhul-Hijjah. The text of the glorification is: “Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; La ilaha illa-llah; Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Wa li-llahil Hamd”, meaning: “Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; There is no god except Allah; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; and all praise is due to Allah”. Remember to fast on Arafat day. Happy Sallah!
