It was on mount Arafat, a day that really makes Hajj, Hajj, the 9th day of Dhul Hajj. It started by me being in the company of a group of people walking towards the mountan to take our place for the process of Hajj. The group of ten people contained about an equal amount of older people in their early 50s and younger people in the age range of say 20 to 25.
I was with them and they were arguing about which group would perform the obligational duties of Hajj before the other. While the argument continued, we continued to get closer to our destination and I was thinking to myself that these people are not even aware of the importance of this day- the day of Arafat, and their need to unite in brotherhood.
We kept inching closer, quickening our pace as everyone wanted to secure a choice spot, one that was within the sea of people, yet away from distractions. Then somebody in a group ahead of us somehow shouted quitely, yet loud enough for us to hear his announcement that the Prophet (SAW) was among the people on the mountain!
We noticed people forming a crowd in a paticular area of the vast mountain, almost midway to its summit – there was a sitting area. We headed toward this spot, hoping that’s where the Prophet (SAW) would be.
Just about 30 yards before reaching the crowd, the crowd suddenly dissolved, leaving a man distinctively important and gentle, almost bashful, sitting crosslegged, with his hands touching his feet.
We reckoned that it was probably Prophet Muhammad (SAW). People in small groups, like 5 in each group, were coming and going after having few pleasantries with him. It seemed they were happy to meet him and considered it a thing of honor.
As we got close to him, close enough to be able to hear him speak, we gave him our Salaam and wanted to touch him, like shake his hand. At that particular moment, he opened his mouth and called me by my Islamic name without looking up. He seemed as if he had known me all my life.
Then in a firm, resolved voice, though gentle and full of honor, he commanded me to make sure that I act as the peacemaker between the two bickering groups of old and young people. He wanted me to make sure that they performed their obligatory duties of the day of Arafat, and of the other days as well, without any animosity towards one another.
As he spoke, he looked at the ground, similar to how one bends their head down while listening to the Quran being recited, without doing much of anything else. This is when I noticed that all kept quiet, united as if they were not the people at each other’s throats a moment ago- now in great unity, as how Mulims should be united. Just at that time, I woke up.
