Arafat is the day on which Allah forgives the sins of millions of Muslims worldwide. People fast on this day and seek blessings and forgiveness from Allah, the almighty. Further, people also recite duas and 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 gifts and this life. They also 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 Dhu al-Hijjah is known as the day of Arafat. It is the day before Eid al-Adha which occurs on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is considered the holiest day in the Islamic calendar and the night is considered as the Night of Power. At the dawn of this day, pilgrims make their way to Mount Arafat from Mina, the city of tents in Saudi Arabia.
Arafat day 2023
The day of Arafat will begin on the evening of 27 June, Tuesday, and end on 28 June Wednesday. The day will observe the day offering prayer to almighty Allah and those on Hajj will reach mount Arafat.
Arafat meaning
Arafat is a mountain located in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The mountain is known as the Mountain of Recognition and plays a vital role during Hajj. Further, the Day of Arafat meaning can be translated to the day on which Muslims travel from Mina to Arafat before the festival of sacrifice.
Importance of the Day of Arafat
Mount Arafat holds massive importance among Muslims as it is the hill where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to Muslims who accompanied him to Hajj towards the end of his life. Some hold the belief that part of the Quranic verse announcing that the religion of Islam had been perfected was revealed on this day. One hadith says that ‘Hajj is Arafat’ (Abu Dawud).
This means Arafat is the sum and substance of Hajj. On this day Allah mercifully 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 approved for you Islam as 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 (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafat and he replied, “It expiates 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:
“Lailaha illalahu wahadahu lasharikalahu lahulmulku walahu hamdu wahuva alakulli shayin kadir”
It translates as follows, ”There is no God but Allah alone Who has no partner, to whom dominion belongs, to whom praise is due, and who has power over anything.” It is the Sunnah of our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to recite Tahleel (‘Laillaha illalah’), Takbeer (‘Allahuakbar’), Tahmeed (‘Allhamdulillah’), and Tasabeeh(‘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 Arafah is considered as the day of blessings and every person can be blessed with their wishes if they ask it from Allah Almighty. 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 one’s brothers and sisters, alive and dead.
• The day marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Muslim Ibn Aqeel(PBUH). Muslim Ibn Aqeel(PBUH) was the son of Aqeel Ibn Abi Talib and therefore was a first cousin to Imam Husayn (PBUH). Imam sent him as his ambassador to Kuba where he was brutally murdered by the Umayyads on this day.
• One should recite his Zayarah on this day.
• At noon, it is recommended to offer the prayer of Zohar and Asr under the open sky.
• After obligatory prayers it is recommended to offer two rakats prayers reciting Surah Al- Fatiha and Surah Al-Tawhid in the first and Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah Al-Kafirun in the second.
• After the prayer of Asr, one must offer two rakats of prayer and ask for Allah’s forgiveness.
• One who performs these rituals receives the reward of staying on Mount Arafat and having all sins forgiven. At the end of the day, one should recite dua Al-Asharat.
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 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 hadiths
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) 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, God’s blessings and peace upon him 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 pass, longing for My mercy. Then [He says to the Pilgrims] be your sins like unto the grains of sand, the drops of rain, the foam on the sea, yet I forgive them! So go forth, My slaves, with all 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 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 fetch the best rewards for believers.
Arafah Day FAQs
What should one do on Arafat day?
This is a holy day when one must pray to Allah, recite duas and ask for forgiveness. It is recommended to fast on the day of Arafat if you are not a pilgrim in travel.
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 Zohar 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 2023?
According to the Gregorian calendar, the day of Arafat in 2023 is falling on the 27th June.
What surah to read on Arafat day?
Muslims should recite “SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Adheem” on the day of Arafat. It means, Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Him.
What happens on the day of Arafat?
Pilgrimage to hajj move to Mount Arafat from Mina on day of Arafat.
*Credit: Zamzam.com
