As Muslims around the world prepare to mark the peak of the haj season, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) held its 185th Munajat night on Saturday evening, bringing together worshippers virtually from the holy land and across the country.

This edition of Munajat night featured a special tazkirah titled ‘The Virtues of the Day of Arafah,’ delivered by a religious officer serving during the 1446 Hijrah haj season Haji Abdul Muiz bin Haji Amat.

In his talk, he highlighted the significance of wuquf at Arafah – a core ritual of the haj pilgrimage – citing the saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), “haj is Arafah” (hadith reported by Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud). He explained that wuquf involves being present at the plain of Arafah on 9th of Zulhijjah, even for a moment, between noon and dawn of the following day.

Haji Abdul Muiz also shared key virtues associated with the Day of Arafah, including the immense reward of fasting for non-pilgrims. Citing a hadith from Sahih Muslim, he said, “Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah the Almighty that it expiates the sins of the previous and coming year.” He also reminded listeners that Arafah is a day of divine mercy and answered prayers.

Live from the holy city of Makkah, the event was enriched with Al-Quran recitations and prayers by Bruneian pilgrims performing haj this year. The programme began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah by Executive Director of Al-Hijrah Travel Tours Sdn Bhd Haji Muhammad Yunos bin Haji Taha from Anwar Al Diyafah Hotel.

This was followed by Surah Ar-Rahman, recited by, a pilgrim under Darussalam Services Sdn Bhd (DSSB) Haji Mohammad Noor bin Haji Ibrahim from Dar Al Ghufran Safwah Hotel.

Special prayers for health and well-being, as well as the Doa Munajat, were led by Head of the Brunei Haj Mission Office Pengiran Haji Haslin bin Pengiran Haji Ali from the same hotel.
After the tazkirah, a Zikir Taubat was led by Azlee @ Abdus Salam bin Haji Mohd Ali of Al-Hijrah Travel Tours. The programme concluded with a prayer by a pilgrim under DSSB Haji Mohammad Albi bin Haji Ibrahim.

The online religious gathering also saw participation from mosque takmir committee members, congregants from suraus and prayer halls nationwide, and officers and families of the MoRA, who joined from their homes. The ministry encouraged the public to continue joining Munajat night, held every Saturday night, as a collective effort to strengthen spiritual connection, seek forgiveness, recite and reflect on Al-Quran and pray for Brunei’s continued peace and protection. – Fadley Faisal

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin