ARAFAT — The standing at Arafat, the most important ritual of Hajj, happened to be at Jabal Al-Rahmah or the Mount of Mercy for thousands of pilgrims. They climbed the small hillock on the vast plains of Arafat and immersed in supplications, seeking the mercy and forgiveness of God Almighty. There were diverse scenes of the pilgrims engaged in supplications, earnestly seeking God's mercy and repentance for the sins committed by them. They were also seen chanting the words of talbiyah loudly and repeatedly: "Here I am, oh God, Here I am. Here I am; You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours and all sovereignty; You have no partner." The pilgrims were seen raising their hands with supplications while tears were gushing down their eyes. They were seeking forgiveness for the sins committed in their past life and asking God to shower His infinite mercy on them and to accommodate them in His Paradise. Some of them were seeing reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an. The pilgrims stood at the mount until after sunset before proceeding to Muzdalifah. Jabal Al-Rahma is a small mountain in relation to the mountains around it, its height does not exceed 30 meters, and at the top there is a pillar. The Mountain of Mercy or Mount Arafat is considered as one of the most famous religious and historical mountains of Makkah. Covered in small, flat, large-sized, black stones Jabal Al-Rahma is also known by names such as Mount of Ilal, Tawba, Al-Duaa, Nabat and Al-Qurain. During their Hajj rituals, pilgrims stand on the mountain paying homage to the fact that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stood nearby the mount and prayed until after sunset. The Prophet rode his camel, Al-Qaswa, until he came to its side so he made the belly of his camel to the rocks and engaged in supplications, facing the Holy Kaaba, the qiblah.
