The Day of Arafah – Shaykh Faid Mohammad Said
* Originally Published on 20/08/18
What is the Day of Arafah? How do we know that it is so special? And what should we do on this day? Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said covers these topics in this article.
In the name of Allah the Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate
Amongst months there are those that are sacred, amongst days there are those that are chosen and among days there or those that hold the utmost blessing. The Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah, and in particular the Day of Arafah, are the most sacred and blessed days in the Islamic calendar for the following reasons.
1) Sacredness
Allah Most High swore by these ten days, showing the importance and blessing of these days over others. [Quran, 89:2]
2) Mention
Allah has mentioned these ten days in the Quran and the culmination of these ten days in the Day of Arafah: “That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.” [Quran, 22:28]
3) Good Action
Good action is loved by Allah Most High in these ten days, with the Day of Arafah being one of these ten [Darimi]
4) Completion of the Blessing on the Muslims
The Day of Arafah is also the day on which the blessing upon us, the Muslim community, was completed. a Jewish man said to Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) that there is a verse in your book that we (if we were you) would take as a day of celebration. Umar asked which day he was referring to, to which the man said the verse in Surah Al-Maidah. Umar responded by saying that he knew this verse and that it was revealed in Arafah while the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was standing before the Companions, and recited: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” [Quran, 5:3]
5) Fasting
For the one who fasts on the Day of Arafah, Allah Most High forgives the year prior and the year to come. [Muslim]
6) Feast
Eid al-Adha is a day of celebration, especially for the people who stand (in supplication/prayer) on the Day of Arafah. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said that the Day of Arafah, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, and the Days of Mina are feasts of Eids for us. [Muslim]
7) Best Supplication
The Best of Dua is that on the Day of Arafah. [Tirmidhi]
8) Salvation
There is no day on which Allah Most High pardons more of His creation than the Day of Arafah. [Muslim]
In all of the days of Hajj, the standing on the Day of Arafah is the greatest moment and the culmination of the Hajj.
In standing on the blessed Day of Arafah, we have been given a great blessing in the time in which we can stand, as the Day begins at sunset/Maghrib (today) and ends at Fajr on the Day of Eid. Hence, we have a full day and two nights, which may be a reason why Allah will forgive us for the year prior and the year to come!
In implementing and following the above, we are in actuality appreciating the advice of our Beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), who wanted nothing for us other than blessings, as Allah Most High told us in the Quran at the end of Surah At-Tawbah: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” [Quran, 9:128]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was the one that Allah told that he is not responsible for the implementation of his message but that he only needs to remind us about it, but the Messenger’s love and care for us went beyond any reminder, and as such, let us love and honor His word of advice for us by honoring this Day of Arafah!
In addition, after the honor and love for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), we should honor this Day for its rights and blessings.
May Allah Most High forgive our sins, and may He give us the success to pray for each other, care for each other, and be kind to one another, all in following our Master, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), as Allah said in Surah Al-Ahzab (21): “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah the greatest example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [Quran, 32:21]
With gratitude to the Nur Team and Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said.
