Understanding the Importance of the Day of ‘Arafah: Rituals, Fasting, and Divine Mercy
THE DAY OF ‘ARAFAH
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is called the day ‘Arafah. On this day, those performing the hajj pilgrimage converge and stand in prayers and supplications at ‘Arafah. That is the most important ritual of pilgrimage, so much so that pilgrimage is deemed incomplete without it. On that day, the pilgrims become engaged in the remembrance of ALLĀH, supplication and prayer as that is the most important act of worship on that day.
The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said: “There is no day on which ALLĀH frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafah. HE comes close and expresses HIS pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’” {Muslim #1348}
He (ﷺ) also said: "The best of supplication is the supplication of the Day of 'Arafah. {At-Tirmidhi #3585}As much as standing on the plain of A’rafah on the day of A’rafah is very important for the Hujjāj, fasting on this day also has a special merit for those who are not performing the holy pilgrimage. Its importance and merit can be derived from the fact that It expiates sins committed in two consecutive years. Fasting on that day becomes also a means of elevation of one’s status. The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said: “It (fasting on the day of A’rafah) expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” {Muslim #1162}
As for the prohibition that has come to single out Friday or Saturday with fasting then that prohibition refers to singling them out because of the day of the week. As for ‘Arafah, then it is fasted because it is ‘Arafah whether it falls on Saturday or other than it; and this shows that Saturday is not what is intended.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) mentioned five scenarios for fasting on Saturday. One of those scenarios, he said:
“If it happens to be one of the days when it is prescribed to fast, such as Ayyam al-Beed (the 13th, 14th and 15th of each hijri month), ‘Arafah, ‘Ashura, six days of Shawwāl for one who has fasted Ramadān, and the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. There is nothing wrong with that because he is not fasting because it is Saturday, rather it is because it is one of the days when it is prescribed to fast.” {Majmu’ Fatawa wa Rasail al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin, 20/57}
This annual occasion is a golden chance for a Muslim to enhance his positive image in front of ALLĀH as well as get his sins forgiven. Most importantly is to repent to ALLĀH to forgive one’s sin.
The Day of ‘Arafah will fall on Saturday, June 15th, 2024.