Plain Of Arafat

and sets out. During the journey, he remembers God. Seeing the places of Hajj, his religious emotions awaken. Until finally, he reaches the plain of Arafat—as though he has come to stand before his Lord. God sees the spiritual states of this pilgrim. His mercy comes very close to him. God decides to forgive His servant. This is the reality mentioned in a Hadith—that when the Day of Arafah comes, God descends to the nearest heaven and proudly says to the angels: “Look at My servants. They have come to Me with their heads messy, their clothes dusty from travel. They are saying Labbaik, Labbaik. They have come from far away. I make you witnesses that I have forgiven their sins.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith No. 3853) In another Hadith, it is said that God says to the angels with pride: “Look! I sent My Messenger to these people. They believed in him. I sent down a Book to them. They accepted it. Be witnesses that I have forgiven all their sins.” (Kanz al-‘Ummal, Hadith No. 12101) The plain of Arafat is, in one sense, a field of unity. This is another aspect of the Hajj ritual. When people from different countries reach the place of Hajj, they all take off their national dress and wear a common dress, which is called ihram. Wearing ihram means putting on one plain white sheet like a lower garment and another plain white sheet draped over the upper body. In this way, millions of people are dressed in the same style and colour.