As Muslims around the world prepare to observe the Day of Arafat, also known as the Day of Arafah, it is important to understand the significance of this holy day. The Day of Arafat is the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah and marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj. This day holds great significance in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the most sacred days of the year.
In this article, we will explore the historical and religious significance of the Day of Arafat, the rituals and practices associated with it, and its importance in the life of a Muslim.
What is the Day of Arafah?
the day of Arafah is the ninth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, and it is considered one of the best days for Muslims, as it is one of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. In it, the pilgrims stand on Mount Arafa, as standing at Arafat is considered the most important pillar of Hajj.
Mount Arafa is located east of Makkah on the road linking it with Taif. About 22 km, 10 km from Mina, and 6 km from Muzdalifah, and it is the only shrine that is located outside the borders of the campus.
The Historical Significance of the Day of Arafat
The Day of Arafat commemorates the day when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his famous farewell sermon to the Muslim community during his final pilgrimage to Mecca in 632 CE. The Prophet’s speech, which is known as the Farewell Sermon, emphasized the importance of unity, brotherhood, and social justice in Islam. The sermon is considered one of the most important speeches in Islamic history and serves as a guide for Muslims on how to live a righteous and just life.
The Farewell Sermon was delivered on the plain of Arafat, a vast expanse of desert located about 20 kilometers east of Mecca. It is believed that the Prophet spent the entire day on the plain of Arafat, seeking forgiveness from Allah and supplicating for the welfare of the Muslim community.
The importance of the Day of Arafah
If you wondered why is the day of Arafat so important? the importance of the Day of Arafah is represented in the following points:
- The day of Arafah is considered a feast for those who stood at Mountain Arafat.
- As Allah swears thanks to this day.
- The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, praised the virtue of this day in many hadiths.
The Religious Significance of the Day of Arafat
In addition to its historical significance, the Day of Arafat holds immense religious significance for Muslims. It is considered the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage, and millions of Muslims from around the world gather on the plain of Arafat to perform the main ritual of the Hajj.
According to Islamic tradition, the Day of Arafat is the day when Allah forgives the sins of those who repent sincerely and seek His forgiveness. Muslims believe that by spending the day on the plain of Arafat, they can attain spiritual purification and forgiveness of their sins. It is believed that the supplications made on this day are more likely to be answered by Allah than on any other day of the year.
The Virtues of fasting on the Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is the penultimate day of the ten virtuous days. So the Muslim takes advantage of it by drawing closer to his Creator through obedience and worship, and among the blessings of the day of Arafat are the following:
1. Allah Almighty swore by it by saying: (وَالْفَجْرِ* وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ); Which draws human attention to the virtue of the one who is divided by it, and the word nights came in the indefinite form. To increase its magnification. the best days of the world; The Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – said: (The best days of the world are the ten days).
2. Working in it is like jihad in the way of Allah Almighty. The Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – said: (There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days, meaning the ten days. They said: O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the way of Allah? He said: Not even jihad in the way of Allah unless a man goes out with himself and his money, and he did not return anything from that).
The Messenger – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – did not specify a specific action. Rather, he circulated everything that is called a good deed.
The Sunnah acts of the Day of Arafah
The Muslims are keen to take advantage of the good seasons. In it, there are many good deeds, as they are times that pass quickly, and among the recommended deeds on the day of Arafah:
- Fasting; Among the virtuous deeds on the day of Arafah is his fasting, and the virtue of his fasting is that he expiates for two years. The year you water it, and the year after it.
- Repentance and a lot of seeking forgiveness; Because sins are a reason for distance from Allah Almighty, and from repentance, and from Paradise, the Almighty said: (فَاسْتَقِيمُوا إِلَيْهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ).
- The feeling of short life and term; Death does not differentiate between the young and the old, and remembering this matter helps in obedience and taking advantage of the good seasons.
- Dua on the day of Arafat, as the Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – used to start his day by supplicating Allah – the Almighty – to grant him success in obedience and worship, and from what a Muslim might call upon: “Oh Allah, I ask you for success in goodness, O Lord, do not make me wretched or deprived because of my sin,” and other things. Supplications that help the servant to obey, and in which he acknowledges his shortcomings and weaknesses. Following the example of the Prophet Muhammad – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – and ask about his gift in the seasons of goodness. He, the Almighty, said: (قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ).
The recommended acts for the Day of Arafah
- Credit and reward are not limited to acts of worship only, such as prayer and fasting. Rather, giving alms on this day has great and great virtue.
- Visiting relatives and upholding ties of kinship also have great virtue, in addition to other acts of worship such as prayer and fasting.
How to make the most of the Day of Arafat
After we know why is the day of Arafat so important?, Here are some other steps that help you sense the day of Arafah:
- Get up early this day.
- Increase Dua on the day of Arafat.
- Increase the prayers for the day of arafat and reading of the Holy Quran and the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
- Fasting is one of the Sunnahs of this day.
Dua for the day of Arafat
It is recommended to pray a lot of dua on the day of Arafat. Because it is one of the greatest supplications and the most days in which supplications are answered, and one of the best supplications that a Muslim calls on the day of Arafah: “There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner.
This dua is considered one of the best supplications on the day of Arafah, as it was reported from the Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace -: (The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah).
Read about: Umrah, The Lesser Pilgrimage In Islam
Summary
The Day of Arafat serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of seeking forgiveness and living a righteous and just life. It is a day of reflection, self-evaluation, and repentance. Muslims are encouraged to use this day as an opportunity to reflect on their lives, seek forgiveness for
FAQs
What is the reward of fasting on Arafat day?
Fasting on the day of Arafah has a great and great virtue, and there are many hadiths that show the virtue of this day, including that fasting on the day of Arafah is a reason for the forgiveness of sins.
What does Quran say about the Day of Arafah?
The virtue of the Day of Arafat is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an, as Allah Almighty says: وَالْفَجْرِ* وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
Why is the day at Arafat the most important of the Hajj?
The day of Arafah is considered one of the most important days in the rituals of Hajj, because this day includes many and the most important rituals, such as standing at Arafat, which is the greatest pillar of Hajj.