Day Of ArafahThe Day of Arafah: Its Virtue and the Best Words to Say
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
The Day of Arafah is one of the greatest days of the year. It is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah. On it, the pilgrims stand at Arafah, and Muslims increase in du'a, remembrance, and repentance. It is a day of forgiveness, freedom from the Fire, and a day in which Allah's grace and mercy toward His servants become manifest.
Great VirtueThe Virtue of the Day of Arafah
Among the greatest reports about the virtue of the Day of Arafah is the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
"There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then boasts of them to the angels and says: What do these people want?"
مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَدْنُو، ثُمَّ يُبَاهِي بِهِمُ المَلَائِكَةَ، فَيَقُولُ: مَا أَرَادَ هَؤُلَاءِ؟
Narrated by Muslim.
This shows the greatness of this day, the vastness of Allah's mercy, and that it is a day when a Muslim should turn to his Lord with sincerity and humility.
Du'aThe Importance of Du'a on the Day of Arafah
Du'a is one of the greatest deeds on the Day of Arafah. The text specifically mentions its virtue on this day. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"The best du'a is the du'a of the Day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said is: There is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things capable."
خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.
Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and graded hasan by Al-Albani.
This indicates that du'a on the Day of Arafah has a special virtue, and that a Muslim should ask Allah abundantly while praising Him and affirming His oneness.
Pilgrim And Non-PilgrimIs Du'a Only for Pilgrims?
Du'a is not limited to the pilgrim alone. The pilgrim has the greatest share while standing at Arafah, but the non-pilgrim is also encouraged to make abundant du'a on this blessed day and hope for Allah's grace and mercy.
FastingFasting Arafah for the Non-Pilgrim
Fasting the Day of Arafah is a great Sunnah for the non-pilgrim. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about fasting Arafah and said:
"It expiates the previous year and the coming year."
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ.
Narrated by Muslim.
As for the pilgrim, it is better for him not to fast if fasting weakens him from du'a and standing at Arafah, following the example of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Best DhikrThe Best Words to Say on the Day of Arafah
Among the best words to say on the Day of Arafah is what came in the previous hadith:
There is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things capable.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.
This dhikr gathers tawhid and praise of Allah. It is among the greatest things said on this day, and a Muslim may add whatever lawful du'a he wishes.
Doors Of Du'aWhat Should a Muslim Ask for on the Day of Arafah?
A Muslim may ask for whatever good he wishes from this world and the Hereafter. Among the greatest du'a is:
- Asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy.
- Asking for firmness upon Islam and the Sunnah.
- Asking for Paradise and safety from the Fire.
- Making du'a for parents, family, and children.
- Asking for rectification of the heart and deeds.
- Making du'a for Muslims to receive guidance, victory, and well-being.
A comprehensive Qur'anic du'a is:
"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." [Al-Baqarah: 201]
{رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ} [البقرة: 201].
Practical PlanHow Can the Non-Pilgrim Make the Most of Arafah?
- Fast the day if able.
- Make abundant du'a.
- Increase in saying: La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lah.
- Say takbir, tahlil, and tahmid.
- Recite the Qur'an.
- Give charity.
- Repent and return people's rights.
- Guard the tongue from backbiting and arguments.
NotesImportant Notes
- There is no established specific du'a for every hour of the Day of Arafah.
- One should not become occupied with long, unauthenticated messages about du'a and worship.
- The best guidance is the guidance of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, so increase in lawful du'a and dhikr.
- Whoever cannot fast should not leave du'a and dhikr, for the doors of good are wide.
FAQIs the du'a of Arafah only for pilgrims?
The virtue of du'a on Arafah is greatest for the pilgrim, but the non-pilgrim also hopes for the virtue of du'a on this blessed day and should make abundant du'a wherever he is.
FAQIs fasting the Day of Arafah obligatory?
No. It is not obligatory, but it is a strongly recommended Sunnah for the non-pilgrim and has great virtue.
FAQIs there one required du'a on the Day of Arafah?
No. There is no single required du'a, but among the best words to say is: La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadir.
FAQWhen does du'a begin on the Day of Arafah?
The whole day is virtuous. For the pilgrim, the greatest time is after zawal until sunset while standing at Arafah. The non-pilgrim should make du'a throughout the day, especially during times when du'a is answered.
ConclusionConclusion
The Day of Arafah is a day of forgiveness, freedom from the Fire, du'a, and tawhid. Whoever reaches it should turn to Allah with a sincere heart, increase in dhikr and du'a, and strive in repentance and righteous deeds. Allah's grace is vast, and His mercy is near to the doers of good.
