After the sun rises on the 9th Zulhijjah, pilgrims clad in their Ihram (the one-piece white cloth attire) would converged on the ‘Arafah plain for the Wukuf [Grand Assembly]. The wukuf in ‘Arafah is a major pillar of the Hajj. As such the Prophet Muhammad SAW stressed: "Hajj is [the assembly at] ‘Arafah."
The duration for the wuquf begins from the start of the Zuhur Prayer time on 9th Zulhijjah until the fajar (dawn) of 10th Zulhijjah. It is valid to stay for any portion of time within that period. The Prophet SAW stayed in ‘Arafah until the sunset of 9th Zulhijjah and proceeded to Muzdalifah, after the Fajar (dawn) prayer and then moved to Mina arriving before sunrise on 10th Zulhijjah.
At 'Arafah one may conduct jamak for the Zuhur (noon) and ‘Asar (late noon) prayers, joining them at the time of Zuhur if possible to qasar, that is shortening each of them to two raka'ats.
It is of a great benefit at ‘Arafah, one to be preoccupied with continuous dzikir, tasbih, do’a, and seeking for Allah's forgiveness as the Day of ‘Arafah is a very blessed day. 'A'ishah r.a. (the Prophet's wife) narrated a Hadith that the Prophet SAW said:
“There is no day in which Allah frees a greater number of His servants from the Hellfire than the Day of ‘Arafah. Allah comes close to His servants and boasts about them to the angels then asks (a rhetorical question): "What do these servants seek for?"
[Hadis narrated by Muslim]
The Prophet SAW also said, that the best supplication is that made on the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said:
"Lailaha Illallahu Wahdahu Lasyari Kalah, Lahul Mulkuwalahul Hamdu Yuhyi Wayumiit, Wahuwa ‘Ala Kulli Syai'in Qadeer."
(There is no God but Allah. He has no associate. To Him belong the Sovereignty and all the Praise. He has the sole power over everything.)
[Hadis narrated by Al-Tirmidzi]
Some pilgrims do not recite the Talbiyah aloud on their way from Mina to ‘Arafah. It was proven that the Prophet SAW continued to recite the Talbiyah until he threw the pebbles of Al-‘Aqabah on the day of 'Eid.
One of the most serious mistakes that some pilgrims normally commit is to stop outside `Arafah and then stay there until the sun sets, after which they leave for Muzdalifah. Those who stay in these places have not performed Hajj. There are big and clear signs showing the boundaries of ‘Arafah.
Some people think that they have to go to the place where the Messenger of Allah SAW stood is holy, so they would converge there and climb it and seek blessings from the stones and soil around it. These are indeed wrong and unacceptable and regarded as bida’ah (innovations in religion).
Some people thought that it is essential to pray Zuhur and ‘Asar prayers with the imam in the mosque, seeking that place from far away. This can cause them a great deal of difficulty and leading many of them to go astray, which makes the Hajj extremely difficult for them, and they crowd one another and upset one another.
After spending some time in ‘Arafah, preferrably from Zuhur till Maghrib (dusk) prayers, pilgrims leave for Mina through Muzdalifah. One may perform Jamak and qasar for Maghrib and 'Isyak (night) prayers.
On the way from ‘Arafah, pilgrims will continue to recite the zikir to Allah SWT to seek His forgiveness.
On reaching Muzdalifah pilgrims would pick up enough pebbles for throwing at the three Jamarats. In Muzdalifah, pilgrims may sleep till dawn. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. However, according to some scholars due to the throng of people at Muzdalifah one can leave after midnight.
Muzdalifah is an open area without any shelter or tents there. Pilgrims must be ready with blankets or sleeping bags; these will prove very useful, especially if the night is cold.
Wukuf on the 'Arafah plain is meant to commemorate the landing of Prophet Adam and his wife, Eve on the Earth from the Heavens after Adam defying the Commands of Allah SWT and they both being duped by the devil (iblis) into doing sinful acts forbidden by Allah SWT.
Prophet Adam and Eve were separated on the Earth and it took them 40 years to meet again. And the place where they both met again was at a place called Jabar Rahmah on the 'Arafah plain. It was here that they both for many years supplicated to Allah SWT for forgiveness, and Allah SWT accepted their invocations/supplications.
It is understood that the Wukuf at 'Arafah means briefly stopping on the wide plain, staying there under humid condition and hot sunshine. Pilgrims are encouraged to make as much as possible zikir, supplementary prayers (solat sunat), reciting the Quran, supplicate and make invocations to Allah SWT, and those not performing the Hajj are also encouraged to do likewise at their own respective places. It is also encouraged to do fasting on the 'Arafah day.
Supplicating/invocating on the 'Arafah plain is said to be greatly enhance the acceptance and granting by Allah SWT (among the places and time where/when supplications is duly fulfilled).
Wukuf at 'Arafah presents an impression of the actual situation on the Day of Reckoning on the Mahsyar plain where all human beings irrespective of race, ranks and/or position will be rounded up/assembled to face Allah SWT and accept his retribution/reckoning based on their "amar makruf nahi mungkar" (encourage good deeds reject the evils) on Earth.
The Eid-ul-Adha, similar to the Eid-ul-Fitri prayers is performed in two rakaats, and is not obligatory upon every person but voluntarily and supplementarily performing it earns "bonus marks" from Allah SWT. After performing the Eid-ul-Adha prayers together (in a congregation) in a mosque or surau (mini mosque) such as is commonly practised in Malaysia, the imam (congregation/prayer leader) will then deliver the khutbah (sermon), reading a standard pre-written text issued by the State Islamic Department/Council.
Later in the day, a couple of hours or so after the Eid-ul-Adha prayers the main commemorative event of this Eid will normally be performed, i.e. the slaughtering of sacrificial animal(s) such as camel, cow, goat, sheep or buffalo, and feasting together at the mosque or surau as well as distributing the slaughtered meat to the poor and the needy by sending it to their respective houses/homes.
The loud calling of or takbir of "Allah hu Akbar" will continue until a few days after 10th Zulhijjah, and may even extend for one whole month, acknowledging the His Greatness, unlike on the Eid-ul-Fitri when the takbir can only be called out loud until the moment just before the Eid-ul-Adha prayers is performed, and forbidden to be shouted out after the prayers.
Allah SWT Commanded: "That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Zulhijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, WAllahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time." (Quran 22:28)
