The Day of Arafah (Arabic: يوم عرفة) is an Islamic Holy Day, in which the verse of the Qur'an was revealed which explained that is said that the religion had been perfected. The Day falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic Calendar. This happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha. At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafa and the Plain of Arafa. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.
There are numerous virtues claimed for the 9th of Dhu ’l-Hijjah which is known as yawm al-‘Arafat. This is the day where the pilgrims assemble on the plain of ‘Arafat to complete one of the essential rituals of the Hajj.
It is claimed that this is the day the religion was perfected and the blessings of Allah were complete. The following verse was revealed to Muhammad on the day of ‘Arafat:Allah says: “Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Dīn (religion and a way of life) for you”. (Al Maidah: V3)
The completion of Allah’s blessing refers to forgiveness for ones sins by Allah, as without it the blessings of Allah cannot be complete. This brings to light the importance of being forgiven by Allah.
Fasting on Arafat day is an expiation for sins committed the year before and the year after:
حدثنا أحمد بن عبدة أنبأنا حماد بن زيد حدثنا غيلان بن جرير عن عبد الله بن معبد الزماني عن أبي قتادة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صيام يوم عرفة إني أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله والتي بعده
Abu Qatadah is reported to have said that Muhammad said: "Fasting on the day of 'Arafat is an expiation (of sins) for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. (Reported by Ibn Majah)[3]
Allah frees slaves from the fire on Arafat more than any other day
Likewise, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [Jaami’ut-Tirmidhee (3/377)]
Allaah expresses His pride to His angels
In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from Aa'ishah that Muhammad said:[4]
'There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, 'What do these people want?'
The standing on ‘Arafaat is the hajj.
The standing on ‘Arafaat is the hajj. The crowds should remind you of the Day of Resurrection. Humble yourself to Allaah, manifest your ‘uboodiyyah to Him Alone through du’aa, sincere intention and strong determination to free yourself from the sins of the past and to build up a commitment to rush for doing what is good. Think of becoming a better person when you return. Rid yourself of false pride and showing off because it may ruin what you gain on this day.
