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Key points
- Masjid Nimrah is the large mosque on the western edge of Arafat, built near the place called Namirah where the Prophet ﷺ rested on the Day of Arafah.
- On 9 Dhul Hijjah the khutbah of Arafah is given here, and Dhuhr and Asr are prayed together, shortened, at the time of Dhuhr.
- The front part of the mosque is outside the boundary of Arafat, so the standing (wuquf) must be done inside the marked limits.
- The mosque is open only on the Day of Arafah. Most pilgrims follow the khutbah and prayer from their own camps.
The story of the place
On his Farewell Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ came from Mina on the morning of the 9th and found a tent pitched for him at Namirah, near Arafat. He rested there until the sun passed its highest point (Muslim 1218).
Then he rode into the valley of Uranah, gave the great sermon of the Farewell Hajj, and led Dhuhr and Asr together. After the prayer he moved into Arafat and stood in du’a until sunset. The mosque was later built in this area and named after Namirah.
The mosque today
Masjid Nimrah is one of the largest mosques in the region, with six tall minarets and room for a very large number of worshippers inside and in its courtyards. It stands empty for most of the year and fills only on the Day of Arafah.
The khutbah given here is broadcast live and translated into many languages, including Urdu, through official channels and apps. Many pilgrims listen to it in their camps.
Inside or outside Arafat?
The valley of Uranah, where the Prophet ﷺ gave his sermon, is not part of Arafat. The front (western) part of Masjid Nimrah is built over that valley, while the back part is inside Arafat. Signs inside and outside the mosque show the line.
This matters for the wuquf. If you pray at Masjid Nimrah, move to a place clearly inside Arafat after the prayer and stay there until sunset. The Prophet ﷺ said the whole of Arafah is a place of standing (Abu Dawud 1937), so any spot inside the boundary is enough.
The khutbah and the joined prayer
- After midday the imam gives the khutbah of Arafah, reminding pilgrims of tawhid, the rules of Hajj and the rights of others
- Then Dhuhr and Asr are prayed together at the time of Dhuhr, each shortened to two rak’ahs, with one adhan and two iqamahs (Muslim 1218)
- Scholars differ on details of joining the prayers when praying in your own camp rather than behind the imam. Follow your group’s scholar on this
- After the prayer, give the rest of the afternoon to du’a. That is the reason the prayers are joined
Should you try to go there?
For most pilgrims from India, especially families and elderly parents, the answer is no. The roads around Masjid Nimrah are packed on the 9th, the heat is strong, and it is easy to lose your group. Your Hajj is complete from your own camp, as long as you are inside Arafat.
Questions
On the western edge of the plain of Arafat, about 20 km east of Makkah. Part of it is inside Arafat and part is in the valley of Uranah, outside it.
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Official guidance
This guide is general travel information. For religious rulings, please ask a qualified scholar.
