The virtue of the day of Arafah
17 August 2018|05 Dhul Hijjah 1439|
The day of ‘Arafah is the most important day for a Haji. The ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the Day of ‘Arafah. It is the day when Hujjaaj stand on the plain of ‘Arafah to pray and beg of Allah’s forgiveness.
Whilst only a select few of the Ummah are chosen by Allah Ta’ala to physically be on the plains of ‘Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, there are several virtues and deeds mentioned regarding the day of ‘Arafah which apply to those afar as well. Hereunder are ten of them.
On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual Hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following ‘Eid ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the Hajj commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness of sacrifice).
Let’s look at the Virtue of the Day
1. The day of ‘Arafah is one of the best days of the year,
Sayyidna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says: “The day of ‘Arafah equals 10 000 days in virtue”!
(At-Targheeb, vol. 2 pg.200 and Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.460)
2. “On the day of Arafah, Allah frees even those who are not physically in Arafah. Therefore the next day is Eid for all”(Ibn Rajab -rahimahullah in Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.482)
3. The Day of ‘Arafah has also been labelled as “Yawmul Eid” by Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as it’s the day in which Allah Ta’ala announced the perfection of Islam. (Sahih Bukhari)
4. Recite abundant Zikr on the Day of ‘Arafah
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would recite the following abundantly on the day of Arafah:
Lailaha illallahu wahdahu lasharika lahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu biyadihil khayru wahuwa ‘ala kuli shayin qadir
(Musnad Ahmad; see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.3 pg.252)
كان أكثر دعاء النبي عليه السلام يوم عرفة
“لاإلٰه إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد بيده الخير وهو على كل شئ قدير“
–أحمد والترمذي
5. What deeds should one engage in on this day:
1. Fast
2. Recite kalimah shahadah a lot
3. Excessive Du’a
4. Sadaqah
6. DON’T:
1. Persist on Sin (i.e, make tawbah -repent- from all sins)
2. Be arrogant
These 2 types of people are deprived on this blessed day.
(Ibn Rajab -rahimahullah- in Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.494)
7. Sayyiduna ‘Ali’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) dua on the Day of ‘Arafah
Allahumma a’tiq raqabati minanar wa awsi’li minar rizqil halal, wasrif ‘anni fasaqatil jinni wal ins
Translation: O Allah! Free me from the fire, increase my lawful sustenance, and keep away the transgressive Jin and humans from me. (Ibn Abi Dunya, see Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.494)
:دعاء سيدنا علي رضي الله عنه يوم عرفة
اللهم أعتق رقبتي من النار، وأَوسِعْ لِيْ مِنَ الرّزقِ الحلال، وَاصْرِفْ عني فَسَقة الجن والإنس
–ابن أبي الدنيا
8. “Fasting on the day of Arafah will expiate the sins of the past and future year.”
(Sahih Muslim)
9. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “He who protects his ears, eyes and tongue on this day (Day of ‘Arafah) will be forgiven” (Musnad Ahmad with a reliable chain, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.3 pg.251)
Shaytan’s Humiliation
10. The day of ‘Arafah is the day when Shaytan is most humiliated (due to Allah’s extensive forgiveness)
(Muwatta Imam Malik, Musnad Ahmad and Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3013)
All of the above will have real significance to us if we implement it and not just share it.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the tawfiq (ability) to practice on all the above and may He bless us with repeated opportunities of physically being on the plains of ‘Arafat. Ameen.
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