While many may know the day of Eid-ul-Adha, because it is the major Muslim Holiday; there is a significant day that comes right before it: Arafat Day.
So, let us know more about that blessed day so we can benefit the most from it.
Here we will learn the following:
When is Arafat day 2023?
Arafat day is on Tuesday 27th June 2023.
When is the day of Arafat?
The Day of Arafat is the ninth day in the Last month in Hijri (Islamic) calendar. It is the day right before Eid-ul-Adha.
Meaning of Arafah
Arafat Day is named for Mount Arafat in Makkah near the Kaaba. The mountain and the area around it are called Arafah or Arafat, where those doing Hajj (Pilgrimage) stay on that day.
According to Lane’s Lexicon, Mount Arafat is described by Burckhardt, [a historian,] as a granite hill, about a mile, or a mile and a half, in a circuit, with sloping sides, rising nearly two hundred feet above the level of the adjacent plain.
Arafat was thus named because Adam and Eve knew each other (تَعَارَفَا) thereafter their descent from Paradise: or because Gabriel, when he taught Abraham the rites and ceremonies of the pilgrimage, said to him “ Hast thou known? ” (أَعَرَفْتَ), and he replied “ I have known ” (عَرَفْتُ): or because it is a place sanctified and magnified, as though it were rendered fragrant (عُرِّفَ i. e. طُيِّبَ): or because the people know one another (يَتَعَارَفُونَ) there: or, accord. to Er-Rághib, because of men’s making themselves known (نِتَعَرُّفِ العِبَادِ) there through religious services and prayers.
Also, the name of Arafah shows the deep link between the day and the rites of worship of Hajj, but that doesn’t mean it is exclusive to those who are in Makkah; As we will see, the virtues and good deeds that can be done in it can be shared by those who are in their homelands.
What to do on the day of Arafah?
The best thing to do on the day of Arafah is pilgrimage and spending the day on Arafah mountain, but there are other things Muslims can do spending the day at their homes.
Muslims can fast the day of Arafah which has great benefits and rewards. Muslims can also spend the day in Dua’a (Supplications) and reciting the Quran.
It is narrated that Prophet Muhamed (Peace be upon him) said: “The best Dua’a is the duaa on the day of Arafah, and the best of what I and all the prophets before me said is “There is no God but Allah, Alone without a partner”
أَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَأَفْضَلُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ له
Muwatta Malik USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 20, Hadith 255
Ruling of Arafat Day Fasting
Fast the day of Arafat is Recommended for its great rewards. And here are some benefits of Arafat day fasting.
Prophet Muhamed peace be upon him was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, and he answered: “It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.”
وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ فَقَالَ ” يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ
(Source)
However, the Prophet (PBUH) also sometimes didn’t fast on the day of Arafah, which is how it was known that it is a recommended deed and not an obligation. (Source)
Also, It is not recommended to Fast the day of Arafah while doing Hajj, so that the person can focus on the journey.
Fasting the day of Arafah before feasting the next day and sacrificing for the sake of Allah, shows Muslim obedience to Allah (God). Stop eating to worship Him, and eat to worship Him. Those who are at Hajj don’t fast, to obey Allah and His prophet; And Those who aren’t Fast to obey Allah and His prophet.
Read: What is Umrah?
What to Recite on Day of Arafah?
There are no special verses or Dua’a to recite on Arafah day. A Muslim can spend his time reciting whichever he can from the Quran, generally praising Allah and contemplating His Creation, repeating various Dua’a that came in the Quran if there is nothing specific to ask for.
Dua on the day of Arafat is the best Dua as the prophet mentioned in the hadith. In the Quran there is a good example given for Dua on the days of Hajj in general:
(There are some who say, “Our Lord, give us in this world,,” and will have no share in the Hereafter.” But among them is he who says, “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allāh is swift in account.)
فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍۢ ٢٠٠ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٢٠١ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ ٢٠٢
[Quran, 2:200-202]
Finally, a personal recommendation regarding what surah to read on Arafat day, one can read Chapter 22 “Al-Hajj” and verses speaking about Hajj and Arafat day in the second chapter. While it is relevant to the timings and helps the reader appreciate the blessed timings and what he can do in it.
Read: What are the types of Hajj?
Virtues of The Day of Arafah
Arafat Day is one of the illustrations of Allah’s Mercy as it’s the day of salvation from Hell and forgiveness of sins. Some of the Virtues of The Day of Arafah as following:
1- Arafah Day is part of the ten best days of the year.
The Best days of the year are the ten days of (Thuo Al-Hijja) (The month of pilgrimage). The best day of them are the last two days: (9th) Day of Arafah, 10th (Eid-ul-Adha). Allah mentioned the ten days of Thou-Al-Hijja in the Quran and swore by them to emphasis the great blessings in them. And in the prophetic tradition, these days are the most beloved to Allah to do good deeds in.
This is comparable to (The Best Nights) of the Year are the last ten nights of Ramadan, where blessings and mercy of Allah are being given in heaps and folds. The Ten nights in Ramadan and Ten days of (Thuo Al-Hijja) are linked to two of the great five pillars of Islam: Fasting and pilgrimage.
Read: Places to Visit in Mecca.
2- One of the greatest days of the year
Arafah day is one of the greatest days in the year; comparable to the night of Destiny (Lilatu Al-Qadar) in Ramadan.
3- Arafah is the Core of Hajj
When people came to Prophet Muhammad and asked him about Hajj. The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Hajj is Arafat. (Source)
4- Islamic Teachings was completed on the Day of Arafah
Also, Arafat day is a very special day because Allah (God) declared Islam complete and the only religion he accepts.
A Jew said to `Umar, “O prince of the Believers, if this verse: ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favors upon you, and approved of Islam as your religion.’ (https://quran.com/5/3) had been revealed upon us, we would have taken that day as an Eid (holiday) .” `Umar said, “I know definitely on what day this Verse was revealed; it was revealed on the day of `Arafat, on a Friday.a great verse in the Quran was revealed on the prophet while he was standing on Arafah in his farewell pilgrimage: “” (Source)
5- A Day to free more souls from hell fire
The great day of Arafah hadith that highlights its virtue is when Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him said: “There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafa. He draws near, then praises them to the angels, saying: What do these want?”
Praising them to the angels. And in another narration (There is no day that Allah forgives and frees more souls from hell fire, than in the day of Arafah)
قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَدْنُو ثُمَّ يُبَاهِي بِهِمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ فَيَقُولُ مَا أَرَادَ هَؤُلاَءِ ”.
(Source)
Conclusion
To conclude, Arafat Day is one of the illustrations of Allah’s Mercy as it’s the day of salvation from Hell and forgiveness of sins. For you also, dear reader, you still have a chance to share the same reward by becoming a Muslim so that you become like a newborn. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice; our team is here to help you. Just start a conversation now!
