The Greatest Day of Hajj

Q 1: What is the meaning of the "Day of the Greatest Hajj" and the "Greatest Hajj"? Are they synonymous? Or, do they differ in meaning? Are they both in the Glorious Qur'an and authentic Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet)? (Part No. 11; Page No. 221

A: The "Day of the Greater Hajj" is the Day of Nahr (Sacrifice, 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims slaughter their sacrificial animals) It is recorded by Abu Dawud on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them): that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood on the Day of Nahr in the Hajj that he performed and said: What is the day today? The people said: It is the Day of Nahr. Then he (peace be upon him) said: This is the day of Al-Hajj Al-Akbar (the Greatest Hajj). Moreover, Al-Bukhari recorded on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Abu Bakr, on the day of Nahr (i.e. slaughtering the animals for sacrifice), sent me in the company of others to make this announcement: "After this year, no pagan will be allowed to perform the Hajj, and none will be allowed to perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka`bah undressed. The day of Nahr was called the Day of the Greatest Hajj because in the night preceding it there is standing in `Arafah, spending the night at Al-Mash`ar Al-Haram (Sacred Monument) and during daylight there are rites of Hajj such as stoning the pillars, having one's hair cut and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah). However, the Day of the Greatest Hajj denotes the time, whereas the Greatest Hajj denotes acts performed on that day. The Greatest Hajj is mentioned in the Qur'an in Allah's statement: And a declaration from Allâh and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islâmic calendar) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.