Rules and Etiquette of Waqoof
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Talbiyah, Takbeer, Invocation, Repentance, Recitation of Holy Quran, Darood-e-Sharif are the order and requirements of this day with resolution and faith that God the Merciful shall listen to the prayers and cries of his servants and forgives their sins.
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Pray with all humility and concentration of head and heart.
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Waqoof has the meaning of standing in Arafat, facing the Qibla (the house of God. It can be individually as well as collectively. If feel tired one can sit or lie down on ground.
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While praying in invocation raise your hands towards the sky as one does after every Salat. It is desirable (Mustahab)
It is preferred to stand in open even if there is sunshine. Yet if there is any hindrance on any pretext, standing in shade is also permitted.
During the time of Waqoof it is desirable to feed the poor, distribute alms, help those in need and do all the good deeds.
Waqoof in Arafat
Arafat is a sandy and undulated plain. It is inhabited but every year on 9th of Zilhijj it finds over many millions of human all in same type of white shroud like cloths camping here.
The Waqoof or Standing time in Arafat starts after mid-day prayer. Pilgrims should finish their lunch and mid-day prayer and get busy in Waqoof and invocation. The time of Waqoof in Arafat ends at sunset.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) prayed here extensively for the salvation of his Ummah, the Muslims.
The pilgrims should stand in attention and respectably as if standing in front of Lord, their Creator Allah the Most Benevolent with all their humility.
Seek his benevolence and bounty weepingly from One who is the most forgiving. These are the moments when God has opened the doors of His treasures for his creature. This is the most precious time of one’s life as you are as near to God like the one is in his lap. Ask whatever you want. You may not get another opportunity of this value.
Afternoon in Arafat (Asar)
As the time of afternoon (Asr) prayer approach, concentrate as much as you can in invocation and seeking salvation. “God the Merciful is listening your prayers and calls repentance, renunciations and answer them”. The pilgrims should rest their faith that their calls and prayers have been accepted. God the Merciful shall not let them go empty handed.
Offer the afternoon prayer at your place and make yourself ready for departure to Muzdalfa. Say Takbir-e-Tashriq. A signal is usually fired by the authorities to announce that it is time to depart.
Departure for Muzdalfa
As the sum sets in Arafat, the pilgrims should leave for Muzdalfa. In Muzdalfa all the pilgrims have to offer Evening and Night prayer,jointly,followed by an over night stay here in open. The halt in Muzdalfa by the pilgrims is prescribed in Quran.
“When you depart from Arafat, invoke God close to Mash`ar al Haram (sacred Monuments). Invoke Him for He has set you on the right path, though you had gone astray before”.
On reaching Muzdalfa, the pilgrims shall offer the Maghrib (evening) and Night (Isha) prayer jointly in abbreviated from in accordance to the dispensation granted to the travelers. First it will be three units (Rakat) of evening prayer followed by two units of Night prayer.
It is the most sacred night among all nights of year. One may ask for anything from God and He will be pleased to grant you in His benevolence. God is very happy and pleased with his creatures and servants.
There is no prohibition of lying down or sleeping here but this short spell of night is of immense importance and no one would like to miss this life time opportunity of prayer and invocation. Here the pilgrims have to stay in open.
The pilgrims also have to collect forty-nine or seventy babbles for stoning the three Satans in Mina.
The pilgrims shall leave Muzdalfa for Mina the next morning, just before sunrise after offering the dawn prayer and standing (Waqoof) for some time before the sacred monument. Waqoof (standing) is obligatory (Wajib) in Muzdalfa and one who missed it will have to give penalty of sacrificing an animal (Dum).
However, people of advanced age, sick or weak, if they can not sustain the hastle of the milling crowd can go to Mina even in the night.
other links
How to apply for Hajj
There are two types of Hajj travel facilities available in Pakistan.
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Learn the issues ralated Hajj
Having submitted the application for Hajj an intending Haji should familiarise and try to know each and every thing.
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Duties towards Fellow Humans
Every Haji should know and understand his duties owed to God (Huqooq Allah), his duties and responsibilities towards fellow human beings (Huqooq-ul-Ibad). God forgives things which is owed to him by his servants, if He please, provided the sinner repents and affirms not to repeat such acts..
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Important Things to Know
- Every pilgrim should have well acquaintance with his group leader and other members of the group.
Essential items to be carried by an Haji are: More...
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Circumambulation (Tawaf)
- (A) The Excellence of Tawaf
- (B) Kinds of Tawaf
- (C) Rules and Etiquettes of Tawaf
- Meeqat
- Ehram for travelers by air