The boundaries of 'Arafah area

6-12-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

Although the boundary of Arafah is well marked by big boards ,but Google Earth shows that boundary is not symmetrical. For example there are two parallel roads and on each road there is one yellow billboard marking the boundary but one billboard is ahead of another. How can a person be ensure that he is within the boundary if he stands in between those two roads and in between those two billboards ? Is there any provision of fencing to safeguard pilgrim from being outside the boundary? I hope you understand my language otherwise I will resubmit it.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

As for your saying: “Is there any provision of fencing to safeguard pilgrims from being outside the boundary?”, then know that the Saudi government has already distinguished the boundaries of ‘Arafah by using billboards.

If there happens to be some conflict regarding these billboards, then the individual must try his best to be sure he stays within the boundaries of ‘Arafah for the sake of performing worship in the correct manner, as staying at ‘Arafah is the greatest pillar of the Hajj and whoever misses it has missed the Hajj.

Allaah Knows best.