Hill of Arafat

About Hill of Arafat

Mountain in Saudi Arabia

Mount Arafat, also called Jabal al-Rahma, the Mountain of Mercy, is a granite hill on the plain of Arafat beside the road from Makkah to Taif, about 20 km south-east of the city, 10 km from Mina and 6 km from Muzdalifah. It rises some 70 metres above the surrounding plain, and a white pillar seven metres tall marks its summit so it can be told apart from the neighbouring hills. At this hill, and across the wide plain around it, pilgrims perform the greatest rite of Hajj, the standing at Arafat, on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah; in the words of the Prophet Muhammad, "Hajj is Arafat." According to Islamic tradition the Prophet stood here during his Farewell Pilgrimage and delivered his famous Farewell Sermon to his companions. Some Muslims also hold that Adam and Hawwa were reunited here after leaving Paradise and were forgiven, which gives the hill its name. Pilgrims spend the whole Day of Arafat in prayer and remembrance on and around the hill until sunset, then move on to Muzdalifah. Outside the Hajj season the hill can be visited and climbed easily to reflect on the place where millions of Muslims stand each year.

Where:

Mecca, Saudi Arabia