The Muslim congress:
The Eaalim al-Hajj book series, book four discusses what pilgrims do at Mina and Arafat on the eighth and the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. After doing al-sae and cutting their hair, pilgrims end their Umrah by having a shower and changing the Ihram cloth into their normal clothes. At this stage, all the restrictions imposed on pilgrims are lifted; and pilgrims return to their normal life. This is called the little Tahaool, or al-Tahalool al-Asghar. Pilgrims wait for the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah to go to Mina to attend the day of al-Tarwiyah. It is the day on which pilgrims prepare themselves and learn the pilgrimage steps and precautions.
The eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Tarwiyah:
On the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, most pilgrims start repeating a new Talbiyah. at their place of residence, pilgrims express their intention to perform pilgrimage. Because pilgrims have stayed in Makkah for more than three days, they are considered residents of makkah. The residents of Makkah express their intention for performing pilgrimage at their places of stay. Therefore, pilgrims wear their ihram once more. Each pilgrim offers two rakat with the intention of performing pilgrimage that year. pilgrims go to mina to attend the day of al-tarwiyah. The day is so called because pilgrims used to supply their camels with water to drink. Also, the word Tarwiyah comes from an Arabic word which means to narrate. Well experienced pilgrims narrate to newcomers the details of the pilgrimage which is at hand.
The day of Arafat, the greatest pillar of pilgrimage:
Having spent the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah in Mina, pilgrims proceed to Arafat the following day to attend the greatest pillar of pilgrimage. There is no pilgrimage without attending the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah at Arafa. Therefore, all pilgrims must be present at the Arafa area on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. Arafa, which is known as Mount Arafat, is a rocky open plain. Arafat is about 10.4 square kilometers. The plain is on the way between Makkah and al-Taif. Arafat is fifteen kilometers east of Makkah. It is also ten kilometers away from Mina and six kilometers away from Muzdalifah.
Arafat, the great day of mercy and forgiveness:
At Arafa, pilgrims stay till the sun sets on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. Arafa is the golden chance for all pilgrims. it is the day on which allah rescues the greatest number of muslims from punishment, torture and the hellfire. Allah boasts His angels saying to the angels: “Look at My slaves, they have come covered with dust with their untidy hair because of their long travel. Bear witness, My angels, I have forgiven them.” pilgrims spend the Arafa day praying, making dua and mentioning allah on that day. Doing so, pilgrims ask Allah His forgiveness and mercy. The scene at Arafa is really moving and impressive.
