Virtues and RemembranceArafah: Its Virtue and the Best Words to Say
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
The Day of Arafah is among the greatest days of the year. It is the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims stand at Arafah and Muslims increase their supplication, remembrance, and repentance. It is a day of forgiveness and release from the Fire, a day on which Allah's grace and mercy toward His servants are manifest.
The Virtue of the Day of Arafah
Among the greatest reports concerning the virtue of Arafah is the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:
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؟
"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 before the angels, saying: 'What do these people seek?'"
Reported by Muslim (1348).
This shows the greatness of this day and the vastness of Allah's mercy. It is a day on which a Muslim should turn sincerely and humbly to their Lord.
وإنه ليدنو
We believe in the Prophet's statement, peace and blessings be upon him, "He draws near," as it has been reported. We affirm for Allah what His Messenger has told us in a manner befitting His majesty, without specifying how or likening Him to His creation, as Allah, the Exalted, says:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
{Nothing is like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [al-Shura: 11]; translation of the meaning.
Another distinction of the Day of Arafah is that these words of Allah were revealed on it:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
{Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and approved Islam as your religion.} [al-Maidah: 3]; translation of the meaning.
Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that these words were revealed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while he was at Arafah on a Friday; reported by al-Bukhari (45). They are part of the third verse of Surat al-Maidah and remind us of the blessing of Islam and the perfection of the religion.
The Importance of Du'a on the Day of Arafah
Supplication is among the greatest deeds of a pilgrim on Arafah, and a well-known hadith has been reported about the virtue of supplication on this day. Arafah is a day of turning to Allah, humbling oneself before Him, and asking for forgiveness, mercy, and release from the Fire.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
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
"The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belong sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things."
Reported by al-Tirmidhi (3585) and graded hasan by al-Albani. Hammad ibn Abi Humayd appears in its chain, and al-Tirmidhi drew attention to his weakness. Scholars differ over whether the hadith is established.
According to those who grade the hadith hasan, it indicates a special virtue of supplication on Arafah and the merit of this remembrance that expresses tawheed. Among the etiquettes of supplication is to begin by praising Allah and extolling Him, and sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then asking one's Lord for the good of this world and the Hereafter while recognizing one's need for Him.
Is Du'a Only for Pilgrims?
Supplication is prescribed for non-pilgrims at all times. They may increase it on this day in hope of Allah's grace and mercy, without asserting that all the virtues specifically associated with standing at Arafah apply to those who are not standing there. For a pilgrim standing at Arafah, the emphasis on supplication is stronger and clearer.
The pilgrim should make the most of the time after the combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers until sunset with supplication, remembrance, and the talbiyah, and may raise their hands while supplicating. There is no need to strain to use long expressions. Ask using words whose meaning you understand and for what you need, combining transmitted supplications with your own requests.
Fasting Arafah for the Non-Pilgrim
Fasting the Day of Arafah is a great Sunnah for someone not performing Hajj.
When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about fasting the Day of Arafah, he said:
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ
"It expiates the preceding year and the coming year."
Reported by Muslim (1162).
The majority of scholars understand this expiation to concern minor sins. Major sins require repentance, and other people's rights are not removed merely by fasting. The promise of expiation for the coming year is not permission to commit sins or delay repentance.
For a pilgrim standing at Arafah, the Sunnah is not to fast, following the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He drank milk while standing at Arafah, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (1988). Not fasting helps the pilgrim with supplication and remembrance, and its recommendation is not limited to someone whom fasting weakens.
Details about intention, make-up fasts, and Arafah falling on a Friday are discussed in Fasting Dhul-Hijjah and the Day of Arafah.
The Best Words to Say on the Day of Arafah
Among the best words to say on Arafah are those in the preceding hadith:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
"None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belong sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things."
لا إله إلا الله
This remembrance is also established in the general Sunnah, including the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, in Sahih al-Bukhari (3293). "La ilaha illallah" means that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. A Muslim remembers their Lord with their tongue, devotes worship sincerely to Him, and praises Him for His sovereignty, His praiseworthiness, and His perfect power, then makes whatever permissible supplications they wish.
What Should a Muslim Ask for on the Day of Arafah?
A Muslim asks their Lord for what benefits their religion and worldly life: forgiveness, mercy, steadfastness upon Islam and the Sunnah, a sound heart and righteous deeds, Paradise, and salvation from the Fire. They supplicate for their parents, family, and descendants, and for the Muslims to receive guidance, victory, and well-being, without forgetting the good they need in their livelihood and family life.
One comprehensive supplication is:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
{Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.} [al-Baqarah: 201]; translation of the meaning.
Among the supplications of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
"O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and freedom from need."
Reported by Muslim (2721). These supplications are prescribed on Arafah and at other times, without a repetition count specific to this day. Find other supplications in Comprehensive Duas from the Quran.
How Can the Non-Pilgrim Make the Most of Arafah?
Begin by maintaining obligations, foremost among them the five daily prayers, and fast if able and if there is no religious impediment. Set aside time for supplication and the Quran, frequently affirm that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, praise Him, and say the takbir prescribed during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Give whatever charity you can.
Making the most of the day also involves sincere repentance, restoring others' rights, and guarding the tongue against backbiting and quarrels. Do not let voluntary worship distract you from an obligation or a right you owe. Those unable to fast may increase remembrance, supplication, and other good deeds. Arafah shares in the virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; making the most of it is not limited to fasting.
Important Notes
It is not established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, assigned a particular supplication to each hour of Arafah. Do not attribute circulating schedules or invented repetition counts to the Sunnah, or accept a promise of particular forgiveness or an answer to supplication without evidence. Personally organizing time for reading and supplication, without believing a particular schedule has a prescribed religious virtue, is not what this caution concerns.
Supplication is not merely repeating a long text. A Muslim should ask with an attentive heart and hope, and continue asking Allah without impatience. The best guidance is that of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the du'a of Arafah only for pilgrims?
Supplication is more strongly emphasized for a pilgrim standing at Arafah. Non-pilgrims may also hope for the virtue of supplication on this blessed day and increase it wherever they are. However, one should not assert that every virtue specific to those standing at Arafah is attained by someone who is not there.
Is fasting the Day of Arafah obligatory?
It is not obligatory simply because it is Arafah, but it is a strongly emphasized Sunnah for non-pilgrims. For the pilgrim standing at Arafah, the Sunnah is not to fast. Fasting it with a voluntary intention does not fulfill the obligation of making up a missed Ramadan fast.
Is there one required du'a on the Day of Arafah?
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير
There is no single obligatory supplication, nor must you memorize a special list. Among the words of remembrance in the preceding hadith are: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, with no partner. To Him belong sovereignty and all praise, and He has power over all things. A Muslim may make transmitted supplications and ask for the good they need.
When does du'a begin on the Day of Arafah?
Supplication is prescribed throughout the day. A non-pilgrim does not have to wait for a particular hour. The pilgrim should make the most of the time after midday and after the combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers until sunset while at Arafah. Non-pilgrims should also seek the times for answered supplication known from the Sunnah.
Does this remembrance have a repetition count specific to Arafah?
The preceding hadith does not establish a repetition count specific to Arafah. Saying this remembrance one hundred times in a day is established in the general Sunnah; reported by al-Bukhari (3293), and this includes Arafah and other days. A different count or special arrangement should not be treated as a Sunnah for this day without evidence.
What can a woman do during menstruation or postpartum bleeding on Arafah?
She does not fast while menstruation or postpartum bleeding continues, but she may supplicate, remember Allah, and give charity. If she is certain that she became pure before dawn and intended to fast, her fast is valid even if she performs ghusl after dawn. However, she must not delay ghusl so that the time for Fajr prayer ends.
She does not have to make up the Arafah fast because it is voluntary, unlike missed Ramadan fasts, which must be made up after she becomes pure, as in the hadith of Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her; reported by Muslim (335).
Will every supplication on Arafah be fulfilled exactly as requested?
One cannot assert with certainty that every request will be fulfilled in the way or at the time chosen by the person supplicating. A Muslim asks their Lord with sincerity and hope, thinks well of Him, does not ask for sin or the severing of family ties, and does not abandon supplication out of impatience. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, explained these etiquettes in Sahih Muslim (2735). A delay in what someone hopes for is not evidence that Allah does not love them.
Conclusion
Arafah is a day of forgiveness, release from the Fire, supplication, and tawheed. Whoever reaches it should turn to Allah with a sincere heart, increase remembrance and supplication, and strive in repentance and righteous deeds. Allah's grace is vast, and His mercy is near to those who do good.
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