On which day of Dhu al-Hijjah do pilgrims stand at Arafat? The answer is the 9th.
The 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah is known as the Day of Arafah and is the central day of the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims travel from Mina to the Plain of Arafat, located about 20 kilometres southeast of Mecca, where they remain from noon until sunset in worship, supplication and repentance. This rite is called wuquf, or standing at Arafat.
Standing at Arafat is regarded as essential to Hajj; without being present there during the prescribed time, a pilgrim’s Hajj is considered invalid. The day is also associated in Islamic tradition with the Prophet Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon, delivered during his final pilgrimage.
The date is easy to confuse with nearby Hajj rites. Pilgrims generally spend the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Mina, move to Arafat on the 9th, and celebrate Eid al-Adha on the 10th. Muslims who are not performing Hajj commonly observe the Day of Arafah with fasting, prayer and reflection.