The Blessed Day of ‘Arafah
While we know that the last 10 nights of Ramadan are the best 10 nights of the year, did you know that the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best 10 days of the year? The Day of Arafah falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. On this day the pilgrims gather on the plain of Mount ‘Arafah, praying and supplicating to Allah ﷻ.
But do we really understand the importance of this day?
The Covenant
It is the day Allah ﷻ took the covenant from the progeny of Adam.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۛ شَهِدْنَآ ۛ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَـٰذَا غَـٰفِلِينَ
❝And ˹remember˺ when your Lord brought forth from the loins of the children of Adam their descendants and had them testify regarding themselves. ˹Allah asked,˺ “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes, You are! We testify.” ˹He cautioned,˺ “Now you have no right to say on Judgment Day, ‘We were not aware of this.❞
Allah ﷻ Frees Slaves From The Fire On The Day of ‘Arafah More Than Any Other Day
Our mother Aisha (may Allah ﷻ be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
❝There is no day upon which Allah frees more of His servants from the Hellfire than the day of ‘Arafah. He draws near and then he boasts of them to the angels, saying: What do these servants want?❞
On this day “Allah ﷻ expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on The Day of Repentance and Acceptance of Supplications, about the people of ‘Arafah.
Many believe that the virtues of this blessed day are reserved for people performing Hajj. However, this is not true. It is a day of immense blessings that all Muslims around the world should partake in.
وَٱخْشَوْنِ ۚ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا ۚ
❝This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion❞
So how can we reap the benefit of this rewarding day, the best of days?
Fasting
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah. He said, ❝It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.❞
Imagine all our sins from last year and the coming year, forgiven?
Making Dua
The best of supplications is the supplication on the day in which Allah ﷻ perfected the religion of Islam, the day ‘Arafah.
Seize this moment where Allah ﷻ opens his doors and answers all supplication!
May Allah ﷻ accept our good deeds!