Hajj pilgrims perform Waqoof e Arafat 

Thousands of face-masked pilgrims performed the Rukn–e–Azam of Hajj Waqoof e Arafat on Monday, reported 24News HD TV channel. 
The pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on Monday, praying for an end to the pandemic and faster vaccination as the annual haj pilgrimage reached its climax.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year too, the five-day pilgrimage, this year too, is confined only to residents of the Kingdom as Saudi Arabia did not allow the foreigners to travel for Hajj. Only 60,000 Saudi citizens and residents, aged 18 to 65, who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus and who do not suffer from chronic diseases, were selected for the rite.  

Sheikh Dr Sheikh Bandar Bin Abdulaziz Baleelah delivered the Hajj Khutbah at Masjid Al Namirah, Arafat and and led the Hujjaj in combined Dhur/Asr Prayers.

Sheikh Bandar Bin Abdulaziz Baleelah while delivering the Hajj Khutbah urged people to follow Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings regarding pandemics, saying that the Prophet (PBUH) had asked people to not go to an area where there’s a plague.

“The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that people should not go out of the area where the plague has spread and people from other areas should not go there,” he said.

Allah has ordered us to forgive each other and stay patient during the difficult times, he said and added that be kind to the neighbors, poor, orphans and relatives. 

He said that Almighty Allah doesn’t like those who spread unrest in the land, adding, “We should eliminate enmity and hatred among the people.” 

Imam Sheikh Bandar bin Abdulaziz has urged Muslims to purge their hearts of hatred and be kind towards others in their day to day dealings.

He said Muslims should show compassion toward everyone, including their parents, children, relatives, women, and servants as enshrined in Shariah.

The Imam called upon the Muslims to perform their social responsibilities and follow the prevalent laws to avert any mischief on the earth.

Sheikh Bandar urged Muslims to religiously follow the teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam Khatim-un-Nabiyeen for their success in this life and the hereafter. 

He said Allah s blessings are infinite and one must find comfort in this fact and continue to seek them. He said the doors of forgiveness are always open and we should always seek this forgiveness from Allah.

Sheikh Bandar bin Abdulaziz has asked Muslims to keep their societies free of violence and extremism. 

 The pilgrims will spend tonight under the open sky Muzdalifah. They will gather the pebbles and will throw them at the three pillars called 'jamarat', located in the city of Mina