IMPORTANCE OF THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH
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| The day of 'Arafah |
We often get so much involved in our lives that we tend to forget the real purpose of our existence. This dunya is full of uncertainty and there is no assurity of us making it to the next day, leave alone next year.
While this thought is scary, it is worth acknowledging that Allah سبحانه وتعالى , The Most Merciful, has favoured few days over others and HE has greatly multiplied the rewards of simple acts of worship in these days.
Then is it not our duty to make the most of it? Won't we be losers if we let the opportunity go with the excuse that it is not fard and only a sunnah !
As most of you know I am referring to fasting the day of 'Arafah which is an expiation for the sins of two years. However there is much more to the day of 'Arafah that most of us do not know.
WHAT IS THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH IN ISLAM ?
The day of Arafah falls on the 9th of dhul hijjah (12th month of the Islamic calender) every year. It is the day when pilgrims on hajj gather on the plain of Arafah, remembering Allah and seeking HIS forgiveness.
Also, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم gave his farewell sermon during his farewell pilgrimage on Mount 'Arafah.
After the sunrises on 9th dhul hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina and head towards Arafah, stopping at Namirah in between.
On Mount 'Arafah, pilgrims ask for duas, submit themselves to Allah عزوجل with humility, hoping for HIS Mercy and Reward.
Learn about Hajj and it's origin here.
Learn about Hajj and it's origin here.
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| Millions of Pilgrims on Hajj in Makkah |
HAJJ IS 'ARAFAH
Standing in 'Arafah is one of the important and essential pillars of Hajj. It is said that whoever misses the standing in 'Arafah has missed Hajj.
This is because of the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم,
" Hajj is Arafah"
[At-Tirmidhi (889) and an-Nasaa’i (3016)]
IMPORTANCE OF THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH IN ISLAM ?
It is interesting to learn about the importance of this day. Let's have a look at it.
1. THE DAY BY WHICH ALLAH SWEARS AN OATH
Swearing an oath by something indicates it's extreme importance. In The Quran, Allah سبحانه وتعالى swears an oath by places and objects to draw our attention towards the subject and emphasize on it.
“By the promised day. By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafaah].”
[Al-Burooj 85:3].
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafaah, and the witnessing day is Friday.”
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]
2. THE DAY ON WHICH THE RELIGION WAS PERFECTED
"A Jewish man said to `Umar bin Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه,
`O Leader of the Believers! There is a verse in your Book, which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration.'
`Umar bin Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه asked,
`Which is that verse?'
The Jew replied:
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion."
[The Quran 5:3]
Umar رضي الله عنه replied,
"By Allah! I know when and where this verse was revealed to Allah's Messenger.It was the evening on the Day of `Arafah on a Friday."
(Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol 1 Hadith 45)
3. THE DAY ON WHICH COVENANT WAS TAKEN FROM ALL MANKIND
The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"Allah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. He (Allah) brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him (Allah), then He (Allah) addressed them, and said:
'Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] - lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware.'
'Or [lest] you say, "It was only that our fathers associated [others in worship] with Allah before, and we were but descendants after them. Then would You destroy us for what the falsifiers have done?"
(The Quran 7-173)
(Sahih Al Jaami Hadith #1701)
What it means is that Allah عزوجل inspired the progeny of Adam with the fact that HE is their Lord who deserves to be worshipped.
The covenant here are the words - "They said, Yes, we have testified"
Therefore, it is not acceptable that on the day of Judgement people make excuses or blame their fathers for their misguidance.
4. ALLAH FREES HIS SLAVES FROM HELL
It was narrated from Aishah رضي الله عنها that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
"There is no day when Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafah. He draws near, then boasts of them to the angels, Saying, ‘What do these [slaves] want [that I may give them]?
[Sahih Muslim]
5. ALLAH EXPRESSES HIS PRIDE TO THE ANGELS
It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty."
[Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by Al-Albaani]
6. Fasting on Arafah is an expiation for the sins of two years
Abu Qutaadah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah.
He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.”
(Muslim)
Fasting is recommended only for those who are not on Hajj.
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| Hajj Pilgrims on the Mount of Arafah |
WHAT CAN THE NON-HAAJIS DO ON 'ARAFAH ?
Only around 2 million muslims get the chance to go on Hajj each year. So how can those who are not on Hajj make the most of this day?
1. FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFAH
Allah says “Fasting is for Me (Allah), and it is I who give reward for it"
(Al Bukhari)
Fasting indeed is one of the most highest forms of worship and it is highly recommended to fast on the day of Arafah.
Fasting on the day of 'Arafah expiates for the sins of the previous year and the coming year.
2. CONSTANT DHIKR (Remembrance of Allah)
“...And mention the name of Allah on known [i.e., specific] days...”
[Qur’an 22: 28]
Increase the utterance of Takbeer (“Allaahu Akbar”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”), Tahleel (“La ilaaha illallaah”) and Tasbeeh (“Subhaanallaah”) as it is recommended during this time.
Read the adhkar after prayers, read morning and evening adhkar.
3. MAKE PLENTY OF DUAS
“The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah."
(At Tirmidhi, hasan)
Therefore, call out to Allah with His Most Beautiful Names. Make plenty of duas for yourself, your parents, children and the ummah on this day.
Keep in mind that You are asking The Lord of the Aalameen, for whom nothing is impossible. So improve the quality of your dua and ask whatever you want.
4. ATTACH TO THE QURAN
Quran should be read all year round but this is a day when we should not forget it.
Read the Quran. Read the translation and tafseer of few verses. Listen to a tafseer lecture. Get benefited from it and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
5. STAY AWAY FROM EVIL AND INCREASE IN GOOD
Considering the virtue of this time and this day, the best deed you can do is to stay away from all kinds of sin. Avoid indulging in evil talk and stop others if you see them doing wrong.
Involve in righteous deeds. Increase in nafl. Do not belittle any good deed even if it is just talking politely to your brother.
Lastly, do not forget that the Ummah is going through a really tough time. People are in need of duas so please remember everyone in your valuable duas.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى accept all our deeds done for HIS sake alone. !
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