Author: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Uthaymeen hafidhahullaah

Preface

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe. May peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the last of the prophets and messengers, and upon his family and esteemed companions.

Tajuddin B. Shu'aib

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the day of 'Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of 'Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following 'Eid ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the hajj commemorating the Prophet Ibr�h�m's willingness of sacrifice).

Ab� Hafsah, may All�h be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said:

Author: Shaykh Muhammad Nasir ud-Din al-Albani

Maintaining Taqwaa

The pilgrim must have taqwaa (fear and reverence of Allaah). He must strive to avoid what He forbade. [Refer Al-Qur'aan 2:197]

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "He who performs Hajj and does not speak obscenely or commit evil will return clean from his sins just as the day his mother gave birth to him." [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, vol.2, no.596, p.347]. If he did so, his Hajj would be righteous (mabroor). Allaah subhanahu's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "The righteous hajj has no lesser reward than Jannah (Paradise)." [Saheeh Muslim, vol.2, p.680, no.3127].