any day more diminished, more contemptible, more enraged or more thwarted than on the afternoon of ‘Arafah, because he sees mercy descending and Allah, glorified be He, pardoning grave sins. The only exception was the day of Badr, when he saw Gabriel arranging the angels in battle ranks.

The standing at ‘Arafah is valid for menstruating women and others alike. It may be observed on foot or mounted. Which is preferable depends on the individual. If people need a person and can see him when he is mounted, or if remaining unmounted would cause him hardship, he should observe the standing mounted, for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did so. The same applies to Hajj: for some people, performing it mounted is better, while for others, performing it on foot is better.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not prescribe any particular supplication or remembrance for ‘Arafah. Rather, a person may offer whatever supplications sanctioned by the religion he wishes. He should also proclaim Allah’s greatness and oneness and continue remembering Allah Most High until sunset.

Bathing for ‘Arafah has been mentioned in a hadith reported from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and has also been reported from Ibn ‘Umar and others. Only three ritual baths during Hajj have been reported from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions: bathing before entering ihrām, bathing upon entering Mecca, and bathing on the day of ‘Arafah. Other baths—such as those for stoning the pillars, circumambulating the Ka‘bah, or spending the night at Muzdalifah—have no basis in reports from the Prophet