Wukuf activities in Arafat are included in the pillars of Hajj. That way, for pilgrims who do not perform wukuf in Arafat, then the Hajj carried out is invalid. Wukuf means ‘the existence of Hajj in Arafat’ and settled there. Wukuf stops at Arafat at a particular time with the intention of worship. For this reason, pilgrims must know the exact time of wukuf in Arafat, which can affect the validity or absence of their Hajj.
Wukuf Time in Arafat
Wukuf is held on the 9th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, one day before the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid al-Adha. However, many pilgrims still wonder how long the wukuf time takes in Arafat. What if we stay in Arafat not from sunrise on the Day of Arafat but during the day?
The answer is it does not matter if we take ihram to perform Hajj on the 9th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah and go directly to Arafat to perform wukuf. Our pilgrimage will remain valid if we enter Arafat between the time of Zuhr on the ninth day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah and the dawn of the tenth day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. This time is the time of wukuf in Arafat, agreed upon by the scholars.
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The deadline for wukuf in Arafat is based on the narrations of Tirmidhi no. 891, Nasa’i (no. 3039), Abu Daud (no. 1950), and Ibn Majah (no. 3016).
Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam in Muzdalifah, when he went out to pray (i.e. Fajr prayer).” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, I have come from the two Tayyiy Mountains, I have exhausted my camel (because of the long journey), and I have exhausted myself. By Allah, there is no dune that I do not step on. Can I still perform Hajj?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever attends our prayers and stands with us until we leave, and then he wukuf in Arafat before that, both day and night, has perfected his Hajj and perfected his (manasik) the implementation of Hajj in accordance with its pillars “ (HR. Tirmidhi)
More than one scholar narrated that an ijmak had stated that wukuf in Arafat continued until dawn on the Feast of Sacrifice.
“Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The time of wukuf in Arafat is from the slipping of the sun on the Day of Arafat until the rising of dawn on the Feast of Sacrifice.” This opinion is of Imam Malik, Abu Haneefah, and several scholars.
Imam Malik and Imam Shafi’i said: “The beginning of the time is when the sun slips on the Day of Arafat.”
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However, one reaches Arafat. If one is intelligent, it is acceptable, whether standing, sitting, driving, or sleeping. It is also accepted if he passes the Day of Arafat without realizing it is the Day of Arafat. These are the opinions of Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Abu Haneefah. (Final excerpt from Al-Mughni, 3/211)
Dissent
However, there are still differences of opinion regarding the timing of wukuf in Arafat. The opinion of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal states that the time of wukuf in Arafat is the beginning of the rising of dawn on the Day of Arafat until the rising of dawn on the Feast of Sacrifice. Whoever arrives at Arafat at that time is in good health and reason. His Hajj is complete.
Al Qadhi Abu Tayyib and Al Abdari said: “This is the opinion of all scholars except Ahmad, who said: “The time is between the rising of dawn on the Day of Arafat and the rising of dawn on the Feast of Sacrifice.” (Final excerpt from Al Majmu’, 8/141)
On that basis, whoever reaches Arafat before dawn on the Day of Arafat has performed the Hajj and must perform another.
God knows better what is true.