The Day of Arafah
10 Points about the 9th of Dhul Hijjah also known as the Day of Arafah
The day of ‘Arafah is the most important day for a Haji. Whilst only a select few of the Ummah are chosen by Allah Ta’ala to physically be on the plains of ‘Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, there are several virtues and deeds mentioned regarding the day of ‘Arafah which apply to those afar as well. Here are ten of them.
The Virtue of the Day
1. The day of ‘Arafah is one of the best days of the year.
Sayyidina Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says:
“The day of ‘Arafah equals 10,000 days in virtue”!
(At-Targheeb, vol. 2 pg.200 and Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.460)
2. “On the day of ‘Arafah, Allah frees even those who are not physically in ‘Arafah. Therefore the next day is ‘Eid for all’
(Ibn Rajab - Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.482)
3. The Day of ‘Arafah has also been labelled as “Day of Eid” by Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as it’s the day in which Allah Ta’ala announced the perfection of Islam.
(Sahih Bukhari)
Deeds for this Day
Fast [recommended for those not physically in ‘Arafah]
Recite kalimah shahadah a lot
Excessive Du’a (The Du’a of a fasting person is accepted)
Give Sadaqah (To Family,Neighbors, and Memebers of the community)
What NOT to do on this blessed day:
Persist in Sin (knowingly continue a sin)
Be arrogant (think you are better than others because you are fasting etc)
Zikr on the Day of ‘Arafah
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would recite the following abundantly on the day of Arafah:
Lailaha illallahu wahdahu lasharika lahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu biyadihil khayru wahuwa ‘ala kuli shayin qadir
(Musnad Ahmad; see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.3 pg.252)
كان أكثر دعاء النبي عليه السلام يوم عرفة
*“لاإلٰه إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد بيده الخير وهو على كل شئ قدير“*
–أحمد والترمذي
7. Sayyiduna ‘Ali’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) dua on the Day of ‘Arafah
Allahumma a’tiq raqabati minan naar wa awsi’li minar rizqil halal, wasrif ‘anni fasaqatil jinni wal ins
Translation: O Allah! Free me from the fire, increase my lawful sustenance, and keep away the transgressive Jin and humans from me.
(Ibn Abi Dunya, see Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.494)
:دعاء سيدنا علي رضي الله عنه يوم عرفة
اللهم أعتق رقبتي من النار، وأَوسِعْ لِيْ مِنَ الرّزقِ الحلال، وَاصْرِفْ عني فَسَقة الجن والإنس
–ابن أبي الدنيا
8. “Fasting* on the day of Arafah will expiate the sins of the past and future year.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Note: This is recommended for the non-Hajis.
9. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“He who protects his ears, eyes and tongue on this day (Day of ‘Arafah) will be forgiven”
(Musnad Ahmad with a reliable chain, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.3 pg.251)
Shay-tan’s Humiliation
The day of ‘Arafah is the day when Shaytan is most humiliated (due to Allah’s extensive forgiveness)
(Muwatta Imam Malik, Musnad Ahmad and Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3013)
Conclusion
The day of Arafah is an extremely important day for Muslims but unfortunately we have not given it it’s due importance. Our culture tends to focus so much on the the Day of Eid that we forget what we are celebrating.
The day of Arafah is the day when Allah forgives the most sinners. Let us try to include ourselves in that forgiveness by doing the above mentioned actions on this day.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the tawfiq (ability) to practice on all the above and may He bless us with repeated opportunities of physically being on the plains of ‘Arafah.
Ameen.
(Source: www.al-miftah.com) with some minor edits made by As Salaam Center