بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
“In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah is known as ‘the Day of `Arafah,’ because the pilgrims during Hajj gather & spend the day in ibadaah. This day falls before the day of Eid-ul-Adha. The day of ‘Arafah is the best day of the year for everyone, whether they are performing Hajj or not. It is one of the days from the 10 best days of the year (the first 10 days of Dhul hijjah). It is a day of mercy & acceptance of du’aas. The Prophet ﷺ has said: The best of du’aas are those on the Day of `Arafah.” [Tirmidhi]
There is nothing dearer to Allah ﷻ during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah ﷻ before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart. [Tirmidhi]
In one narration it has been mentioned “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr, there is no day on which the Shaytaan is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of ‘Arafah, and indeed all this is only because of witnessing the abundance of mercy descending and Allah’s forgiveness of the great sins of His servants”. [Mishkaat]
We all know that Ramadhan is a special mercy upon us from our most merciful Allah ﷻ. It is an opportunity to reform ourselves & excel in good deeds whilst shaitaan is locked away. Similarly throughout the year there are certain significant days where Allah ﷻ gives us these opportunities, one of them being the first days of Dhul hijjah, especially the day of ‘Arafah.
We should use this opportunity to truly repent, ask for forgiveness & change our life. In one Hadith it has been mentioned: There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of ‘Arafah; and on that day Allah draws near to the earth and, by way of exhibiting his pride, remarks to the angels, “What is the desire of these servants of mine?” [Muslim]
It is highly recommended (mustahab) to fast on the Day of `Arafah. The Prophet ﷺ has mentioned: Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates for the sins of the previous year and the following year. [Tirmidhi]
Note: It is permissible to keep nafl (voluntary) fasts before qadha (missed) fasts, however it is recommended & better to make-up for the missed Ramadhan fasts first. This is simply because Qadha fasts are also fardh. Fardh takes a higher rank above the Mustahab / nafl fasts. Moreover qadha fasts should not be delayed unecessarily.
One may not combine the intention for nafl & qadha fast. However if one keeps their Qadha fasts in this day, it is hoped from the mercy of Allah ﷻ that along with the missed fast being made-up, one will receive the reward of fasting on the day of ‘Arafah Inshā’Allāh.
To do list:
• Lots & lots of du’aa- ask for everything, especially freedom from hellfire. (Please remember me in your pious du’aas too)
• Dhikr in abundance – especially:
-Tahleel (La ilaha illa Allah)
-Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) –
Takbeer (Allahu Akbar)
• Fast
• Seek forgiveness, repent & make an intention to change.
• Other good deeds such as recitation of the Quran / nafl salaah / spending in charity etc.
The Prophet ﷺ said: The best du’a is the du’a on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best [du’a/dhikr] which I and the Ambiya before me have recited is:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu lasharika lahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu wahuwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadir There is no Deity except Allah alone, without partner, to Him belongs all that exists and to Him belongs all praise, and He is powerful over everything.
[Tirmidhi]
Tayyibah Tree 