Tomorrow, Muslims in Malawi will be fasting (a day of arafah), which according to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) has many blessings.
The National Ruyatul Hilaal Spokesperson Sheikh Dinala Chabulika yesterday said Eid prayers will be observed on Friday hence Thursday being day of Arafah.
Soon after the prayers, Muslims are expected to slaughter animals as prophet Ibrahim (RA) did in slaughtering an animal offered to him by Allah instead of his beloved son Ishmael (RA) when commanded to do so.
Muslims are encouraged to share the meat with the needy during the festival, which lasts for three days.
The Day of Arafa is an Islamic Holy Day which falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic Calendar. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage, and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha.
At dawn on this day, Muslim pilgrims will be making their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafa. It was from this site that Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.
Meanwhile, the Saudi religious authorities have announced that the standing on that Mount of Arafat in prayer by pilgrims, the high point of the annual pilgrimage, will take place tomorrow.
It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafaah. He said, ‘It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.’ Narrated by Muslim.
It is therefore important for a Muslim to fast on this day in order to get the blessings from Allah.
Currently, reports reaching Malawi Muslims Official Website indicate that hundreds of thousands of white-clad believers, last night began flocking to the nearby tent city of Mina – with all of them chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (“Here I am, O Allah, here I am”) in the first leg of the annual pilgrimage.
On Wednesday, Arab News reported that “Saudi Arabia has left nothing to chance to ensure that pilgrims perform the arduous rituals with ease and comfort. Following instructions from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, all Haj-related ministries and security agencies have mobilized their resources in the service of the guests of Allah.”
By Marshall Dyton
