Makkah – The Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council invited all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to focus on preparing for the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, including the stages of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

A press release in Makkah mentioned that the rituals in these three locations must be carried out with focus as part of the mandatory activities, so that the pilgrims can complete the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage well with the hope of achieving an accepted Hajj.

Why the focus? According to the Secretary General, the sequence of the Hajj rituals at Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina represents the most challenging phase of the pilgrimage. This sequence also distinguishes the Hajj from the Umrah.

These three places are often referred to as critical points in the mandatory Hajj activities, as in these places all physical and mental energy will be drained, often causing pilgrims to fall ill due to

About: Arafah

Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Arafah, is a granite hill located about 20 kilometers southeast of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is a pivotal site in Islam, primarily known for its association with the Hajj pilgrimage. According to Islamic tradition, it is the place where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. Every year, on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat in a ritual called the Day of Arafah, which represents a core component of the Hajj and is considered a day of forgiveness and mercy.

About: Muzdalifah

Muzdalifah is an open, level area located between Mina and Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia, and it plays a significant role in the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. Each year, after the Day of Arafat, pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah where they perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, spend the night under the open sky, and collect pebbles for the ritual of Rami (stoning of the devil) in Mina the following day. This practice is rooted in Islamic tradition, adhering to the actions performed by the Prophet Muhammad during his final pilgrimage.

About: Mina

Mina is a neighborhood located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, famous for its pivotal role during the annual Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj. Known for the ritual of the Stoning of the Devil, pilgrims gather here to throw stones at three pillars, which represent the temptation of Abraham by Satan. This site is also marked by its large tent city that accommodates millions of pilgrims each year, providing temporary residence during the days of the Hajj ritual.