The days and nights, months and years are treasuries of actions, and the fortunate ones are those who seize their opportunities. As Allah Almighty says, "And He is the one who made the night and the day for those who desire to be mindful of Him or desire to be grateful." (Quran 25:62) Among these virtuous times, Allah has bestowed special favor, reward, and blessings upon certain occasions, and one of them is the Day of Arafah.
The Day of Arafah holds immense importance and numerous texts from the Quran and Sunnah highlight its virtues and honor. In this article, we will outline some of the key virtues of this auspicious day to facilitate its remembrance and understanding.
The Completion of Faith and Blessings upon the Ummah: In the authentic narrations, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a Jew said to him, "O Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful), there is a verse in your Quran that, if it had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day as a festival." Umar asked, "Which 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.}" (Quran 5:3) Umar said, "We know the day, the place, and the occasion on which this verse was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). It was revealed on a Friday, on the Day of Arafah." Therefore, the Day of Arafah marks the completion of the religion of Islam and the perfecting of Allah's blessings upon the Muslim ummah.
A Festive Day for People of the Pilgrimage: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The Day of Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Days of Tashreeq are our festival, O people of Islam, and they are days of eating and drinking." Hence, these days are considered an occasion of joy and celebration for the believers.
A Day Sworn by Allah: Great indeed is the significance of a day sworn by the Almighty. Allah mentions in the Quran, "By the witness and the witnessed." (Quran 85:3) Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The Promised Day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of Arafah, and the witness is Friday." Thus, Arafah is the momentous day witnessed by Allah, and Friday is the day of witness.
Fasting on this Day Expiates Two Years: Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah. He said, "It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year." This applies to those who are not performing the Hajj pilgrimage. As for the pilgrims, it is not recommended for them to fast on the Day of Arafah, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not observe fasting on this day while being in Arafah. However, for those who are not on Hajj, fasting on this day is highly recommended for its expiatory benefits.
One of the Ten Blessed Days: Arafah is one of the ten blessed days mentioned in the Quran, where Allah says, "And [by] the ten nights." (Quran 89:2) Scholars interpret these ten nights to refer to the first ten days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, which includes the Day of Arafah. These ten days are highly virtuous and filled with opportunities for worship and seeking Allah's blessings.
Forgiveness of Sins: The Day of Arafah is a time of immense mercy and forgiveness from Allah. It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah. He draws near and then boasts about them to the angels, saying, 'What do these people want?'" On this day, sincere repentance, supplication, and seeking forgiveness are highly recommended, as Allah's mercy is abundantly available.
The Standing at Arafah: The essential ritual of Hajj is the standing at Arafah, where pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafah and engage in acts of worship, including supplication, remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Quran, and seeking His forgiveness. The standing at Arafah is the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage and holds great significance in the eyes of Allah.
A Day of Supplication: The Day of Arafah is a prime opportunity for believers to engage in heartfelt supplication and dua. It is a time when the gates of the heavens are open, and Allah is particularly receptive to the pleas of His servants. Muslims are encouraged to spend the day engaged in remembrance of Allah, seeking His forgiveness, and making sincere supplications for themselves, their loved ones, and the entire Ummah.
Reflection and Contemplation: Arafah is a day that calls for reflection and self-evaluation. It is a time to ponder over one's actions, seek repentance for past mistakes, and strive for self-improvement. Muslims are encouraged to take advantage of this day by assessing their spiritual state, renewing their commitment to Allah, and setting goals for personal growth and development.
Blessings Extend to Those Not on Hajj: While the Day of Arafah holds special significance for pilgrims performing Hajj, its blessings extend to those who are not on Hajj as well. Muslims around the world are encouraged to observe acts of worship, such as fasting, recitation of the Quran, giving charity, and engaging in acts of kindness and goodness on this day.
In conclusion, the Day of Arafah is a sacred occasion of great significance in the Islamic calendar. It marks the completion of faith, offers an opportunity for forgiveness and mercy, and is a time of celebration and supplication. Muslims are encouraged to observe this day with sincerity, devotion, and a deep sense of gratitude to Allah for His countless blessings.
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