In the name of Allāh, ar-Raḥmān (the most merciful), ar-Raḥīm (the bestower of mercy).
A day preferred over all other days; a day in which sins are forgiven and supplications are answered; a day in which Allāh descends from his throne and says to the angels,
‘What do these people desire and seek?’
It is befitting therefore that we, as Muslims, know about this day and appreciate its virtue.
Corresponding to 9th Dhul Hijjah, wherein our brothers and sisters who have departed to perform Ḥajj stand together, ‘Arafah remains the core and essence of Ḥajj. This day Allāh descends to the nearest heaven; He is proud of his slaves on the earth and says to those in heaven,
Allāh boasts to the inhabitants of the Heavens (i.e. the angels) about the people of ‘Arafah, saying: look at my worshippers. They have come from far and near, with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek my mercy…
Virtues
1. Allāh perfected His religion on this day, and completed his favour upon us.
{This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion} [05:03]
‘Umar, radiaAllāhu ‘anhu, said regarding the above āyah,
‘We know the day and place in which it was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. It was when he was standing in ‘Arafah on a Friday.
2. Allāh took an oath by this day.
He said,
{By the witnessing day, and by the witnessed day} [85:03]
Abu Hurayrah, radiaAllāhu ‘anhu narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said, “the “Witnessed day” is the Day of ‘Arafah”
It is known that Allah would only take an oath by something of great importance.
3. It is the best day and the most beloved day to Allāh in the year.
Jābir, radiaAllāhu ‘anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,
There is no day better in the sight of Allāh than the Day of ‘Arafah.
4. Allāh frees more people from the Fire.
Muslim and others have reported from ‘Aishah, radiaAllāhu ‘anha that the Prophet ﷺ said,
Allāh frees more people from the Fire on the Day of ‘Arafah than on any other day, and Allāh draws closer this day and proudly says to the angels, ‘What do these people want and seek?’
5. It is a day held dear to all the prophets before us.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,
The best supplication is that of the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said, is: ‘Lā ilāha illa Allāh, waḥdahu la sharīka lahu; lahul mulk wa lahul ḥamd wa huwa ‘alā kulli shayin qadīr.’ [1]
The Day of Arafah for those not performing Ḥajj.
To attain the reward of this blessed day, and thereby follow the example of the Prophets who came before, one should:
1. Fast the day of ‘Arafah.
Abu Qatādah, radiaAllāhu ‘anhu, narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said,
Fasting the day of’Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one.
One should therefore fast on this day, and encourage friends and family to fast, so that our sins may be forgiven and we may be favoured amongst the righteous servants of Allāh.
2. Make an abundance of du’ā.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
The best of supplications is the supplication on the Day of ‘Arafah.
3.. Make dhikr of Allāh – praising and glorifying him.
Ibn Umar states:
We were with the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of ‘Arafah. Some of us would glorify Allāh (by saying Allāhu Akbar) whilst others would praise Allāh (by saying Lā ilāha illa Allāh).
Through the above, the benefits, blessings and favours of the pilgrim are shared, and Allāh draws near; his generosity and kindness overflowing, as he boasts to his angels:
“He says ‘My slaves have come to me so lovingly,
and indeed I am, to them most kind and merciful.
Bear witness, I have forgiven their sins,
blessed them and granted them their hopes.”
[Ibn Al-Qayyim Al Jawziyyah]
Footnotes
[1] Translated as: There is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh, alone and he has no partner; to him belongs all dominion and to him belongs all praise, and he has complete ability over everything.
