AlHijjah 9, 1433, Oct 25, 2012, SPA -- On the second day of the pilgrimage (Ninth of Dhu-AlHijjah), the pilgrims leave Mina just after dawn to travel to the Plain of Arafat for the culminating experience of the Hajj. On what is known as the "Arafat Day," the pilgrims pray Dhuhr and Asr, combining and shortening their four-unit prayers so as to make them two units each; and listen to a sermon. They also spend the entire day standing (or sitting) near the Mount of Mercy, asking Allah for forgiveness and making supplications. Muslims around the world who are not at the pilgrimage join them in spirit by fasting for the day. After sunset on the Day of Arafat, the pilgrims leave and travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day.
