MAKKAH: Masked pilgrims, while chanting ‘Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik’, entered Maidan-e-Arafat today (Thursday) to pray and repent on the most important day of the Haj, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The coronavirus pandemic has shadowed over every aspect of this year’s pilgrimage, which last year drew 2.5 million Muslims from across the world to Mount Arafat. This year, a very limited number of pilgrims were allowed to take part in the Hajj amid numerous restrictions to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus.
The pilgrims listened to Hajj sermon delivered from Masjid-e-Nimra by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salman Al Mannieh. Delivering Hajj sermon from Masjid-e-Nimra, Imam Sahib urged Muslims to observe Taqwa.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Salman said, “If you have believe in Allah, do not be unjust toward others concerning their belongings and do not cause corruption.”
He said, “Allah always has complete knowledge, and Allah not be worshipped in anyways. So it’s important for Muslims to be away from Biddaa’t. Every worship and sacrifice should be for Allah only.”
Sheikh Abdullah also said that difficulties and hardships of life were actually test for human beings. “For every hardship, there is happiness afterward from Allah,” he added.
He said that there are directions in Islam to ensure people’s health and physical wellbeing and to keep the environment clean. He added that Allah has directed Muslims to perform abolition before offering prayers.
Imam Sahib urged the faithful to keep fearing Allah and adopt piety. “Prodding the path of Allah is the only way of emancipation,” he added.
“Islam forbids any excess against any Muslim or non-Muslim. We must fully comply with the teachings of Sharia”, Sheikh Abdullah said and added that Islam brought blessings for mankind.
Referring to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, Sheikh Abdullah urged the people to seek pardon from Allah and offer prayers. “The peace and tranquility of mind can only be found through the religion,” he added.
The pilgrims after listening to Hajj sermon offered Zohar and Asr prayers together and stay at Arafat till the call for Maghrib prayer. After spending the day in prayer on Mount Arafat, pilgrims will head toward an area called Muzdalifa.
In Muzdalifa, pilgrims rest and traditionally pick up pebbles that will be used for a symbolic stoning of the devil and casting away of evil. This year the pebbles have been prepackaged and sterilised.
Earlier today (Thursday), the annual ritual to change Ghilaf-e-Kaaba was held at Masjid al-Haram in Saudi Arabia. The fourteen-meter tall garment has been prepared from pure silk fiber, embellished by gold and silver-plated thread and motifs illustrating verses from the Holy Qur’an.
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