Not Going for Hajj? Here’s How to Benefit from the Day of Arafat

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year. But the day of Arafat is unlike any other day in the entire year. This blessed day of Arafat is when Islam was completed. It is a day that the Mercy of Allah is highlighted.

 

On this day, Allah comes to the first heaven, drawing nearer to His slaves. On the day of Arafat, Allah frees the greatest number of people from Hellfire.

 

وعنها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال‏: ‏ ‏ “‏ما من يوم أكثر من أن يعتق الله فيه عبدًا من النار من يوم عرفة‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of ‘Arafat.” [Muslim]. (Riyad as-Salihin 1277)

 

Shaytaan is deeply humiliated on this sacred day. Shaytaan spent an entire year trying to make people go astray and sin. Yet on the day of Arafat, Allah forgives His servants. Millions of people stand on the plain of Arafat begging Allah for forgiveness. Millions more around the world fast on that day and also raise their hands asking for Allah’s forgiveness. Shaytaan is reduced to nothing, and the servants of Allah are showered with Allah’s Mercy.

 

When Is the Day of Arafat?

 

Arafat is a day that no believer should neglect. Benefitting from Arafat day is something every believer can do, even if they aren’t going for Hajj. Some people think Arafat is only for the Hujjaj, but it’s not, so don’t let it slip away from you.

 

Arafat Day is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. It starts from Maghrib the evening before, which means the period to benefit from this blessed day is very short.

 

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the day of Arafat, and the witnessing day is Friday (85:2-3). The sun does not rise or set over a day better than it. In it is a moment in which a believing servant does not supplicate to Allah for good but that Allah will answer him, and he does not seek refuge from any evil thing but that Allah will grant him refuge.”( Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3339)

 

Benefitting from the day of Arafat is a means towards our success in this world and the hereafter.  Here are four things you and your family can do to make the most of this gift to the ummah.

 

1.Fast on Arafat Day

 

On the day of Arafat, those that have gone for hajj do not fast. However, those that are not doing Hajj should fast. The Hujjaj are connected to Allah through their pilgrimage, and we are connected to Allah through our fasts. Fasting is the longest deed that can be done because we are in worship of Allah for the entire day. So, fasting for those not in Hajj brings the entire Ummah closer to Allah on these blessed days.

 

The reward for fasting on the day of Arafat is also great. It removes sins from not only the previous years but also the upcoming years. As believers, this is where our success lies.

 

Abu Qatadah reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting the day of Arafat and he said, “It will expiate the sins of the previous and upcoming years.” Then, the Prophet was asked about fasting the day of Ashura and he said, “It will expiate the sins of the past year.”

( Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1162)

2. Plan & Schedule Your Dua

Amr ibn Shu’ayb reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best supplication is that which is made on the day of Arafat. The best of it is what was said by myself and the prophets before me: There is no God but Allah alone, without any partners, unto Him belong the dominion and all praise and He has power over all things.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3585)

The best dua you will ever make is the dua on the Arafat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) on the day of Arafat made dua from dhur time until maghrib time. He had his hands raised the entire time. He made continuous dua, which shows us just how important it is to take the time to make sincere dua on this day. The dua made on this day is powerful! We will be at a great loss if we don’t take the time to beg Allah for forgiveness.

We are all sinful and desperately need this day, so be active and eager to take the time to make dua. Schedule a time specifically for making dua on the day of Arafat. Put it on your phone calendar so you won’t forget or get distracted. Make a list of everything you want from this world and the hereafter.

Types of Dua

Ask Allah for strength,  guidance, a cure, and whatever your needs are. Make dua for the Ummah, those who are struggling, and those who have passed away.

As you make your dua be sure to think good of Allah. Be confident in Allah; do not think He does not hear you. Or that He won’t forgive you. The worst person on the day of Arafat is the person that assumes that Allah won’t forgive him. So, think good of Allah and send Salawat to the Prophet (peace be upon him) while you make your dua.

Ibn Al-Mubarak said, “I came to Sufyan Ath-Thawri on the night of ‘Arafah while he was sitting on his knees and weeping bitterly. He turned to me. I asked him, “Who is the worst in condition among this gathering?” He replied, “Whoever thinks that Allah will not forgive him.”

 

3.Recite the Praises of Allah

During the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, it is especially encouraged to recite the praises of Allah. And within those days, the day of Arafat. One can feel at a loss for those unable to fast on the day of Arafat. Fasting puts us in a state of continuous worship, but if we try to keep ourselves reciting the praises of Allah, we will achieve similar, Insha’Allah.

Keep your tongue moist with the following:

Tahleel – La illaha illallah – لا إله إلا الله – There is no God except for Allah

Takbir – Allahu Akbar – الله أكبر – Allah is Great

Tahmeed – Alhamdulilah  – الحمد لله – Praise be to Allah

Tasbeeh – Subhan Allah – سبحان الله – Glory be to Allah

 

Alongside the above, consider reciting this dhikr. Not only will you be praising Allah, but it is a powerful means of increasing good deeds.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said,” Whoever says: “La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahul- hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,” one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6403)

 

لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل قدير

La ilaha ‘illa Allaahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer

“There is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him; His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is powerful over everything”

 

9th – 13th of Dhul Hijjah

For five days in the month of Dhul Hijjah (9th – 13th) were are supposed to recite the Takbir (see below) after every obligatory prayer. This begins from Fajr salat on the day of Arafat and ends on the third day of Eid after Asr salat. As a reminder, stick a note on your wall or add notifications on your phone. Also, remind each other as a family, so no one forgets.

Takbirat e Tashreeq

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Ilallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillahil Hamd.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only.

4.Increase Good Deeds

Do something to help others! Your goal on this day is to receive Allah’s forgiveness. In asking Allah for such a great gift, it’s best to raise our hands humbled and with good deeds to support us. So, look for opportunities to increase in doing good deeds.

 

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked, “Which deeds are best?” The Prophet said, “To bring happiness to a believer, to satisfy his hunger, to clothe his nakedness, or to fulfill his needs.” (al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ 5081)

 

Try and do as much as you can! The list below will help motivate you, and you can even use it as a “to-do” list. The rewards of good deeds during the early days of Dhul Hijjah are immense, so don’t hesitate even if you’re feeling a bit lazy.

Finally, would you like to learn more about this important day and others in Islam? We have classes just for you! Signup for an evaluation today!

 Summarized: Benefitting from Arafat Day