When is Wukuf at Arafah in 2026? Schedule and Virtues Revealed

As previously announced, the government, through the ‘isbat’ session held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag RI), has determined the start of 1 Zulhijah 1447 H. This determination serves as the reference for scheduling the Wukuf at Arafah, the Arafah sunnah fast, and Eid al-Adha 2026.

Following the calculations of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab Rukyat team, 9 Zulhijah 1447 H, which marks the day of Wukuf at Arafah, will fall on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. This aligns with the government’s schedule for Eid al-Adha 1447 H, which falls on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

Wukuf at Arafah represents the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims gather in the plains of Arafah from midday on 9 Zulhijah until just before dawn on 10 Zulhijah. Within the Hajj rituals, Wukuf is a mandatory pillar that must be performed by every pilgrim.

Alongside the Wukuf at Arafah, Muslims who are not performing the Hajj pilgrimage are encouraged to observe the Arafah sunnah fast. Based on the 1447 H Hijri calendar, the Arafah fast this year will be observed on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. This fast, performed on 9 Zulhijah, holds great spiritual significance for Muslims.

In addition to the Arafah fast, Muslims may also observe the Zulhijah fast from 1 to 7 Zulhijah, as well as the Tarwiyah fast on 8 Zulhijah, which falls on Monday, 25 May 2026. These recommended sunnah fasts serve as spiritual preparations leading up to Eid al-Adha.

As the peak of the 2026 Hajj approaches, the Saudi Arabian government, alongside the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, continues to make preparations in the Arafah region. According to the official haji.go.id website, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has inspected the readiness of Indonesian pilgrims’ tents in Arafah to ensure optimal services during the peak of the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, according to the 1447 H/2026 Hajj travel plan published by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), Indonesian pilgrims are scheduled to begin their movement towards Arafah ahead of the Wukuf on 9 Zulhijah. Following the Wukuf, pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah and Mina for ‘mabit’ (overnight stays) and the stoning of the Jamarat before returning to Makkah to complete the remaining stages of the Hajj pilgrimage.