The Day of Arafah holds special significance in the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Also known as Yawm Al-Waqf or the Day of Standing, it is observed on the 9th day of the month and is of great significance for Muslims as the best day of the year, a time of divine forgiveness, mercy, and blessings.
Here are six reasons why the day holds special importance.
1. It is the day when the religion of Islam was perfected.
Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him:
”Today, I have perfected for you your religion, completed upon you My blessing and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
(Surah Al Ma’idah, 5:3)
It is the day when our religion was completed by Allah – from when it was first sent down on the night of Laylat al-Qadr, The Night of Power within the last ten days of Ramadan, till it was made complete, on the Day of Arafat.
2. It is the essence of Hajj.
The ritual of Hajj would not be complete without the blessed journey to Mount Arafah. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, said:
“Hajj is Arafah.”
(Abu Dawud)
Pilgrims making Hajj spend the day in worship and glorify Allah in all of their actions. They recite istaghfar or ask for forgiveness, and make supplications or dua to seek mercy from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is said to have spent much of the day in supplication, facing the Qiblah with outstretched arms and upraised palms, from just after noon until sunset.
3. It is the day when the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, only made Hajj once in his lifetime. He delivered what is known as his Last Sermon on Mount Arafah, reminding us to follow the Quran and Sunnah in all of our affairs. He also eloquently addressed the challenges of racism, gender equality, and human rights. Make the time to read his last sermon on this day and think about how to operationalize the advice as an individual, as a family, and also as a community.
4. It is the day Allah releases souls from Hell.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon, said:
“There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah.”
(Muslim)
5. It is when Allah descends down from the sky to offer forgiveness.
For the people who stay in Arafah, Allah descends to the sky and says to His angels:
“My slaves have come to me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for my mercy, so if their sins are 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 for what and whom you have interceded for.”
(At-Tabarani)
6. Fasting is not required but holds huge rewards on this day.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins from the past and coming year.”
(Muslim)
Fasting is one of the most favorable acts of worship for Allah and provides the believer with another chance to reflect and gain closeness to Allah without any worldly distractions.
Recommended Schedule for the Day of Arafah
Here is a nice itinerary1 to help you gain the maximum rewards on this special day.
- Sleep early the night before to energize yourself for worship on this special day.
- Wake up one hour before the Fajr time to eat Suhoor.
- Pray at least four rakat of night prayers and supplicate to Allah while in a state of sujood and thank Him for allowing you to witness this blessed day and ask Him to give you success on this day.
- Spend the remaining time before Fajr reciting Istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) so that you may be written as those who ‘’seek forgiveness before dawn.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:18)
- Get ready for the Fajr by performing wudu and imagine your sins being forgiven with every last drop of water.
- Recite the dua for the completion of wudu.
- Attend Fajr in the masjid (or at home for women) and remain in your place until 15-20 minutes after sunrise.
- During this time, read Quran, remember Allah with tasbeeh (SubhanAllah), tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (la ilaha ila Allah), and takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and recite the morning Adhkar.
- Pray two rakat of Salatul Duha (sunrise) so it is recorded for you the reward of Hajj and Umrah, inshaAllah.
- On your way walking to/from the mosque, give charity to anyone in need.
- If you are able to stay awake and continue making dua, reading Quran, and making lots of Dhikr, then do so.
- Or, if you prefer to take a nap during this time, make the intention of doing so to re-energize yourself for the worship of Allah.
- After you wake up, make wudu and pray two rakat or more of Duha prayer (this can be prayed 15-20 min before Zuhr).
- Pray the Zuhr with the included sunnah prayers (4 rakat before Zuhr and 2 after)
- Increase the recommended duaa of the Day of Arafah:
لا اله الا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير
La ilaha ila Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir
(There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His the praise, and He has power over everything).
- Listen to the Prophet Muhammad’s, peace and blessings be upon him, Last Sermon.
- Pray the Asr and recite the evening Adhkar.
- Read as much Quran as possible and especially increase your dua before the adhan of the Magrhib. Pray for yourself, loved ones, and the Ummah.
- Make dua that the sun of Arafah doesn’t set until you are saved from the Hell-fire.
- Break your fast with an odd number of dates.
End Notes
1 The itinerary was developed by Dr. Muhammad Salah, a well-known Islamic scholar in the United States and the Religious Adviser for Huda Satellite TV. This schedule has been circulated widely on social media.
Zahirah Lynn Eppard is the managing editor of the Muslim Home parenting newsletter project. As Sound Vision’s Director of Education, she has also spearheaded the production of more than 500 online classes serving children ages 3-12 in the Adam’s World and Colors of Islam Clubs. Eppard has also worked in the field of education as a teacher, homeschooler, and Islamic school principal, as a marriage and crisis intervention counselor, and as a lobbyist and social justice activist. She lives with her husband, children, and grandchildren in Maryland.
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