Day-Of-Arafat
Arafat is the day on which ALLAH Forgives the sins of Billions of Muslims worldwide. People fast on this day and seek blessings and forgiveness from ALLAH, THE MIGHTY AND MUNIFICIENT. Furthermore, people recite supplications on this day and prepare for the Eid al-Adha. In Islam, the day is known for showing gratitude, so on this day, Muslims praise ALLAH for HIS Immeasurable Gifts to us in this life. The Pilgrims visit Mount Arafat, which is an important religious site. Also written as Arafah, it is a granite hill about 20 km southeast of Makkah and in the plains of Arafat. It reaches about 70m in height and is also known as the Mountain of Mercy. It is approximately 25 km from the Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah and takes about 25 to 30 minutes to reach via road.
What is Arafat Day?
The 9th day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah is known as the day of Arafat. It is the day before Eidul-Adha which occurs on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is considered the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. At the dawn of this day, pilgrims make their way to Mount Arafat from Mina, the city of tents in Saudi Arabia.
Arafat day 2024
The day of Arafat will begin on the evening of 14th June and end on evening of 15 June. The day will be observed by offering prayers to ALLAH THE LORD OF all that exists and those on Hajj will go to reach mount Arafat.
Importance of the Day of Arafat
Mount Arafat holds massive importance among Muslims as it is the hill where Prophet Mohammed ﷺ stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to Muslims who accompanied Him For Hajj towards the end of His life. On this Day, the Qur’anic verse announcing that the religion of Islam had been perfected was revealed. One hadith says that ‘Hajj is Arafat’ (Abu Dawud).
This means Arafat is the sum and substance of Hajj. On this day ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFULLY of all mercifull Forgives every sinner who asks for forgiveness. The Arafah day is also important because this amazing Ayat was revealed on this day:
“This day I Have Perfected for you your religion and completed MY Favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
(Surah al Maa’idah 5:3).
Fasting on the Day of Arafat
If you are not on a pilgrimage, fasting on the Day of Arafat is a highly recommended Sunnah. It brings you a great reward in the form of ALLAH forgiving the sins of two years. It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Arafat and He replied, “It expiates sins for the past and coming years.” However, it is advisable to not fast while performing Hajj so one can pray with all strength.
Arafat Prayer
On this day, one must pray to ALLAH for forgiveness as he forgives immensely on this day. Here’s what to recite on Arafat day. It is a special dua for Arafah:
“La ilaha ILLALLAHU WAHADAHU LA SHARIKA lah RAHUL-MULKU WALAHUL-HAMDU WA HUWA ALA KULLI SHAYIN QADIR”
Mean, ”There is no god but ALLAH ALONE WHO has no partner, TO WHOM DOMINION BELONGS, TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE, and WHO HAS POWER over all things.”
It is the Sunnah of our Most Beloved Prophet Mohammed ﷺ to recite Tahleel (‘Laillaha ILLALAH ’), Takbeer (‘ALLAHU AKBAR ’), Tahmeed (‘ALLHAMDULILLAH ’), and Tasbeeh (‘SUBHANALLAH ’) as many times as possible on this day.
Note: The best time to make dua on Arafat Day is during the last hour of Maghrib Prayer.
What to do on the Day Of Arafat?
The Day Of Arafat is considered as the day of blessings and every person can be blessed with their wishes if they ask it from ALLAH THE ALL-ABLE. On this day seeing that ALLAH Has Opened HIS ARMS for all the people seeking forgiveness for their sins, Satan becomes abject, lowly, expelled, and angrier than other days. Here are a few things to do on the Day Of Arafat:-
It is recommended to take Ghusl (full ablution) before noon.
The best deed of the day is to pray to ALLAH. Pray to HIM for the good of oneself, brothers and sisters, alive and dead, and the Muslim Ummah in general.
At noon, it is recommended to offer the prayer of Zuhur and Asr Salat under the open sky.
After obligatory prayers it is recommended to offer two rakat of prayers reciting Surah Al- Fatiha and Surah Al-Tawhid in the first rakah and Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah Al-Kafirun in the second rakah.
After the prayer of Asr, one may offer two rakats of prayer and ask for ALLAH’S Forgiveness.
One who performs all rituals of Hajj and staying on Mount Arafat will have all his/her sins forgiven.
Benefits of fasting on Arafat day
There are many benefits of fasting alone. However, fasting on this auspicious day multiplies the rewards. Some of the benefits of fasting on the day of Arafat are:
*People who fast with pure Arafat fasting niyat get riddance from past sins and hope for a better future
As Islam was perfected and made complete on this day, fasting helps in showing gratitude to ALLAH for the Blessings of Islam.
*ALLAH Forgives Muslims who fasts on this day and prevents them from the experiencing hellfire
*On this day, ALLAH Forgives the sins of the believers even if the individual has done many wrong deeds.
Day of Arafah Ahadith
Abu Huraira (Radhiallahu Anhu) reported that the Messenger ofALLAH ﷺ Said, “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the day of Arafat, and the witnessing day is Friday (85:2-3). The sun does not rise or set over a day better than it. In it is a moment in which a believing servant does not supplicate to ALLAH for good but that ALLAH WILL Answer him, and he does not seek refuge from any evil thing but that ALLAH WILL Grant him refuge.”
In Sahih Muslim, it was narrated from Aisha that the Prophet, peace upon ﷺ Said, “There is no day on which ALLAH frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. HE Comes close and expresses HIS fulfillment to the angels, saying, “What do these people want?”
Another Hadith mentions that on the Day of Arafah, GOD Descends and SAYS, “Come unto ME are MY slaves, disheveled, from every faraway place, longing for MY Mercy. Then [HE SAYS to the Pilgrims] “be your sins be as much as the grains of sand, the drops of rain, the foam on the sea, yet I forgive them! So go forth, MY slaves, with MY forgiveness, and for whatever and whomever you have pleaded.”
Fasting on the day of Arafat hadith
When Aisha was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, She said that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said: “There is no day on which ALLAH frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He comes close and expresses HIS Fulfillment to the angels, saying, “What do these people want?” – Sahih Muslim
Also known as Jabal Al-Raḥmah, mount Arafat has extreme importance in Islam, hence the day means a lot to Muslims all over the world. Praying and fasting on this day is sure to garner the best rewards for believers.
Arafah Day FAQs
When is the day of Arafah observed?
According to the Hijri calendar, The Day of Arafah is on the 9th day of the 12th month that is Dhul Hijjah.
How should I pray on Arafat day?
After the purification bath, one must perform Zuhr and Asr prayers, followed by reciting Surah Al- Fatiha and Surah Al-Tawhid, and then Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah Al-Kafirun.
When is Arafat 2024?
According to the Gregorian calendar, the day of Arafat in 2024 is falling on the 15th of June.
What Dhikr to read on Arafat day?
Muslims should recite “La ilaha ILLALLAHU WAHADAHU LA SHARIKA lah RAHUL-MULKU WALAHUL-HAMDU WA HUWA ALA KULLI SHAYIN QADIR” on the day of Arafat. It means, There is no god but ALLAH ALONE WHO has no partner, TO WHOM DOMINION BELONGS, TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE, and WHO HAS POWER over all things.
What happens on the day of Arafat?
Pilgrimage to hajj move to Mount Arafat from Mina on day of Arafat.
By Dr Omar Ayoub
May ALLAH THE ALL-ABLE Give us the privilege to worship HIM diligently and thereby earn HIS Forgiveness and Blessings. ALLAHUMMA Ameen.
