Tracing the Spiritual Meaning of Hajj (Wukuf At Arafah)

One of the main pillars of Hajj is wukuf at Arafah. A series of wukuf worship at Arafah that will certify one’s pilgrimage. As the hadith of the Prophet narrated by Jabir bin Abdillah:

“The Messenger of Allah said: Hajj is Arafat, whoever gets (wukuf) in Arafah, then he gets Hajj (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)”.

The pilgrims performing Wukuf in Padang ‘Arafah on the 9th of Dzulhijjah is the culmination of the ritual of the pilgrimage in the holy land and becomes one of the pillars of the pilgrimage, which if left behind the pilgrimage is invalid. The word wukuf comes from the Arabic word “wuquf” with the root word waqafa meaning to stop, which with its moral message teaches humans to momentarily leave their worldly activities for a few hours, namely to stop from any activity in order to reflect on their identity; while the word ‘arafah means rising-to-know.

Wukuf in Padang Arafah, in essence, is an effort where physically, the body of the pilgrims stops at Padang Arafah, then their spiritual souls ascend to meet Allah SWT. It is also in Padang Arafah that humans can find the MA`rifat of true knowledge about identity, awareness of the steps, and the end of life’s journey later.

The wisdom of Wukuf at Arafah is as follows

1. Wukuf at Arofah is the command of Allah SWT

In ancient times the Kurais and followers of the local religion performed wukuf in Muzdalifah, and did not perform wukuf in Arafah. Then Allah sent down a verse, as in Surah al-Baqarah 199: ثُمَّ اَفِيْضُوْا مِنْ حَيْثُ اَفَاضَ النَّاسُ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللّٰهَ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْم (Then depart from the place where the crowds departed (‘Arafah) and seek forgiveness from Allah; verily Allah is Forgiving. more Merciful (Surah al-Baqarah [2]: 199). Allah ordered the inhabitants of the holy land to depart (go) like other people who departed from Arafah. The sentence that explains that people who depart from Arafah automatically have settled first in Arafah, so that a legal conclusion can be drawn (conclusion) that the order to depart (depart) from Arafah is an order to wukuf (temporarily reside) in Arafah

2. Arafah is the place of munajat of the previous prophets

Arafah is a place that was felt safe by the prophets and they used to worship Allah, then passed it on to the next generation. Following the sunnah (customs) of these prophets is the main teaching of Islam in terms of the provisions of places of worship.

3. Arafah is a place to ask forgiveness

Wukuf at Arafah begs Allah to be forgiven and all mistakes are erased, surely it will invite Allah’s love to Muslims more.

4. Arafah is a place of miracles

Praying in the Arafah field will be answered by Allah. Because at this special time and place, everyone is separated from their families and hometowns, and obediently carries out orders (worship) to Allah SWT. According to Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi, in al-Mughni, Juz. III, p. 266-267. The place of the Prophet’s wukuf. is Baṭnu al Wadi, which is a place located behind Jabal Rahmah. Muḥammad Amin al-Sinkiti, in Fath al-Bayan, page 125, there is no evidence that shows that Rasulullah saw. go up to Jabal Rahmah as is done by some pilgrims today who consider it afal if they have stepped on Jabal Rahmah.

5. Prayer in Padang Arafah is the most important

The most important prayer is the prayer of those who are wukuf in Arafah. The most important words are words

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

  “There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs all dominion and to Him belongs all praise, in His hand is goodness and He has power over all things.”

6. Prophet Muhammad’s prayer on the day of Arafah

Indeed, the prayer that was said the most by me and the prophets before me on the day of Arafah was; La ilaha illallah Wahdahu la Sharikalahu. Lahul Mulku wa Lahul Hamdu Yuhyi wa Yumitu wa Huwa ‘ala Kulli Syai-in Qodir. Allahumma ij’al i Qolbi Nuro wa i Sam’i Nuro wa i Bashori Nuro Allahumma isyroh Li Shodri wa Yassir Li Amri wa A’udzu bika min Wasawish-Shuduri wa Sayyiatil Agei wa Fitnatil Qobri. Allahumma inni A’udzu Bika Min Syarri MA Yaliju il-Laili wa Syarri MA Tahibu bihir-Riyahi.

7. Prayer to go to Arafat

It is recommended when going to Arafah to pray, Allahumma ilaika Tawajjahtu wa ‘Alaika Tawakkaltu wa Wajhaka Arodtu Faj’al Dzanbi Maghfuro wa Hajji Mabruro warhamni wa La Tukhoyyibni wa Barik Li i Safari wa iqdhi bi ‘Arofata Hajati innaka ‘Ala Kulli Syai-in Qodir.

So important is this series of worship at Arafah that wukuf in Arafah becomes an absolute requirement for the pilgrimage. In this place Allah will answer the prayers of his servants as Allah answered the prayers of the previous prophets in the place of Arafah. Because in this place the human body actually sits in place and the soul rises to the top to pray directly to God. So, whoever sincerely asks Allah for help, his prayer will be answered.