The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and is one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar. This year the Day of ‘Arafah is expected to fall on Saturday 15th June 2024.
It was on this day that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and approved Islam as a way of life! Subhan’Allah.
Allah (SWT) refers to this day in Surah al-Maidah of the Holy Qur’an.
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
Quran 5:3
It’s the day on which He perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and approved Islam as a way of life! SubhanAllah.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also said:
“There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ‘Arafah), and then He reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” (Muslim)
For pilgrims performing Hajj, the Day of Arafah is the most significant day. As the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Arafah is the Hajj’ (Ahmed) and is the essence and heart of the pilgrimage.
On the day of Arafah from noon until sunset, Muslims performing Hajj gather on the Plain of Arafah, reciting Istighfar (asking for forgiveness) and making supplications – marking the Day of ‘Arafah when we ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness for our sins.
Upon reaching the plains of Mount ‘Arafah, pilgrims observe shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined (two rakat instead of four) and there will be a sermon delivered from Masjid al-Nimra on Mount Arafah.
The Day of Arafah is also known as Yawm Al-Waqf (the Day of Standing), referring to the fact that pilgrims stand in front of their Lord for long periods of time, asking for His Divine Mercy.
The Day of Arafah is on the 9th day of Hari Raya Haji “Dhul Hijjah” , the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it is expected to fall on Saturday 15th June 2024.
As the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the gregorian solar calendar, the day of Arafah, as with all Islamic dates, falls ten days earlier each year.
The Day of ‘Arafah is a very important day for Muslims, as it is a day of immense divine forgiveness, mercy and blessings.
It is a day of redemption for Muslims and an opportunity for purification and seeking Allah’s pleasure. Many of us may have fallen short in our pledges made during Ramadan to improve our character and behaviour and to become closer to Allah (SWT).
The Day of ‘Arafah offers another opportunity to cleanse our hearts and remember our purpose and destination.
‘Arafah is also the day in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made his farewell sermon during his final pilgrimage and bore witness that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and approved Islam as a way of life! Subhan’Allah.
For those performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most important day. As the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Hajj is Arafat” (Abu Dawud).
The following acts of worship are highly encouraged on the Day of ‘Arafah.
Give your Zakat and Sadaqah during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah and reap the rewards of this blessed month. Don’t forget though to give your Korban (Qurban) in time for Eid!
After praying Fajr Salah in Mina, pilgrims performing Hajj head to the Plains of Arafat. They recite istaghfar (asking for forgiveness) and make supplications, marking the Day of ‘Arafah when we ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness for our sins. Upon reaching the plains of Mount Arafat, pilgrims observe shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers (two rakat instead of four).
On this day there is a sermon delivered from Masjid al-Nimra on Mount Arafat. If you are performing Hajj, remember to listen to the khutbah if possible. Your group may also facilitate a translation of this sermon in English.
Pilgrims stand on the Plains of Arafat and make lots of Dua, asking Allah (SWT) for forgiveness.
For those who are unable to perform Hajj, it is highly recommended to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah. There is great reward in doing so, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:
It expiates for the past and coming years.
Allah forgives sins on the Day of ‘Arafah even if they are many, and we should not underestimate the immense mercy of Allah.
“As for you staying till the evening in ‘Arafah, then Allah descends to the sky of the Dunya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.” (Tabarani)
However, pilgrims who are performing Hajj do not generally fast as they are travellers, and fasting would be difficult for them. The main focus for them on this day is Dua.
“The people of knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the Day of ’Arafah, except for those at ‘Arafat’.” (Tirmidhi)
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah is a great way of earning Allah’s pleasure. In order to gain maximum benefit, as well as refraining from food and drink, we should aim to refrain preoccupying our thoughts with anything other than Allah, and to contemplate on His glory and mercy while seeking His grace of forgiveness.
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for those who are not performing Hajj, according to all Madhabs (schools of thought).
It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah, on which Allah loves to forgive his servants.
The blessings of fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah can benefit Muslims for the whole year.
Muslims are encouraged to recite the following Dua on the day of ‘Arafah:
Dua: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration: laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer
Translation: “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are ‘La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lahla hul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer’
It is also Sunnah to recite the Tahleel (Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillaah) frequently on the Day of ‘Arafah, and on the days of Eid- 11th, 12th 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
As a day in which Allah loves to forgive those who turn to him, remember to also turn to Allah with sincerity and ask for forgiveness for past sins.
The Day of ‘Arafah is an extremely blessed day and holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims.
In order to maximise the rewards of the Day of ‘Arafah, we should strive to devote ourselves to Allah, turn to Him in supplication and increase our good deeds such as reciting the Holy Qur’an and Salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is also a time for seeking forgiveness and for strengthening our ties with family and friends.
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah and performing acts of worship can help us earn great rewards, forgiveness of our sins and to gain Divine nearness.
Increasing acts of worship can be beneficial to maximise the rewards of this blessed day. Here are a few reasons why this is such a significant day:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made several references to the importance of the Day of ‘Arafah and the virtues and rewards of the holy day:
There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ‘Arafah), and then He boasts before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.
The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafah, and the witnessing day is Friday.
As for you staying till the evening in ‘Arafah, then Allah descends to the sky of the Dunya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.’
Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Isha’ on the Day of ‘Arafah, about the people of ‘Arafah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’