The ruling on making Group Supplications at 'Arafat and other Places

Question :

What is the ruling on gathering for supplications on the day of 'Arafah, whether it is at 'Arafat or other places? This is by a person among the Hajj pilgrims supplicating with a reported supplication that is mentioned in some of the books of supplications, and it is called 'Supplication of the day of 'Arafah', or other than that. Then, the Hajj pilgrims repeat what this man says without saying 'Aameen'. Is this supplication considered an innovation (Bid'ah) or not? We would like clarification concerning this along with mention- ing the proof.

Answer:

What is best for the Hajj pilgrim on this great day is that he should exert effort in supplicating, and being humble to Allâh, and he should raise his hands. This is because the Messenger #exerted effort in supplicating and remembering Allâh on this day until sunset. This was after he offered the Zuhr and Asr prayers together and shortened in the valley of 'Uranah. Then he went to the area of standing and he stood there among the rocks and the mountain of supplication, which is called Jabalul-Aal, and he exerted effort in supplicating and remember- ing Allâh. He did this with his hands raised and facing the direction of the Qiblah while he was on his she-camel. Indeed Allâh legislated for His servants that they supplicate with humility, in secret, showing humbleness to Allâh, with hope and fear. And this place is of the best places for making supplica- tions. Allâh, the Most High, said:
"Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. Verily, He does not like the aggressors."

And He, the Most High, said:
"And remember your Lord within yourself."

In the two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said that the people raised their voices with supplication, so the Messenger of Allâh said:
"O people, take it easy on yourselves, for verily, you are not calling on one who is deaf or absent. Verily, the One Whom you are invoking is All-Hearing, Most Near. He is closer to one of you than the neck of his riding animal."

Indeed Allâh praised Zakariya for this. He, the Most High, said:
"(This is) a mention of the Mercy of Your Lord upon His servant, Zakariya, when he called upon his Lord, with a call done in secret."

Allâh also said:
"And your Lord said: 'Invoke Me and I will answer you."

The Verses and Hadiths that encourage the remembrance of Allâh and supplications are numerous. It is legislated at this place ('Arafat) in particular to make a lot of supplications and remembrance of Allâh with pure intentions, an attentive heart, and with hope and fear. It is also legislated to raise the voice with it or with saying the Talbiyyah as the Prophet and his Companions did that, as far as I know. However, if a person supplicates in a group and the people say 'Aameen' to his supplication, there is no harm in that, just like what is done in the supplication of Al-Qunut, the supplication for completing the Noble Qur'an, the supplication for rain and similar supplications.

In reference to gathering on the day of 'Arafah at a place other than 'Arafat, there is no basis for this from the Prophet. Indeed the Prophet said:
"Whoever does a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, then it is rejected."

This was recorded by Muslim in his Sahih. And Allâh is the Giver of success.