KEY POINTS
- The Day of Khullaif marks a spiritual tradition where women fill the Masjid al-Haram
- Women, children, and the elderly maintain worship in the Masjid al-Haram, performing Tawaf, Umrah, and supplications
- On this day, women also clean the mosque, care for the elderly, and provide food to fasting worshippers
ISLAMABAD: As more than 1.5 million pilgrims gathered at Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, women in Makkah carried forward a long-standing tradition known as the Day of Khullaif.
While pilgrims performed the main rituals of Hajj, local women gathered at the Holy Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) to maintain worship, perform Umrah, and serve the community.
This cherished tradition, observed annually by the people of Makkah on the Day of Arafah, is known as the “Day of Khullaif” or Yaum-ul-Khullaif – a practice rooted in generations of devotion and community spirit.
The term “Khullaif” comes from the Arabic word Takhalluf, signifying “those who stayed behind” or “those who did not partake” a gentle reference to those who remain in Makkah while the Hajj pilgrims journey to Arafat, ensuring the sacred heart of Islam continues to pulse with worship.
Dressed in flowing black abayas, they flock to the Holy Masjid al-Haram with their children and elderly relatives, creating a sea of devotion around the Holy Kaaba.
Their presence ensures the Masjid al-Haram remains alive with prayer, Tawaf, and reverence, embodying a sacred continuity when the eyes of the world are fixed on Arafah.
The Mataf glows with solemn grace as women perform Umrah, offer supplications, and even take up the responsibility of cleaning the Grand Mosque, preparing it for the return of the Hajj pilgrims.
This annual moment transforms Makkah into a canvas of spiritual resilience.
Beyond worship, these women extend compassion by caring for the elderly, distributing food and water, and even guarding homes left vacant by those on pilgrimage.
Many also fast on the Day of Arafah, reviving the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and share iftar meals in a spirit of unity and devotion.
