Among the countless blessings Allah has given this Ummah, the Day of Arafah stands out as one of the greatest. It is the day when pilgrims stand at the plain of Arafah during Hajj, their hearts humbled and their tongues busy in supplication. Yet, even for those not performing Hajj, the Day of Arafah holds immense virtue. It is the day of dua, forgiveness, and mercy a day when the gates of the heavens are wide open for those who sincerely call upon their Lord.
THE DAY ALLAH COMPLETED OUR RELIGION
The Day of Arafah is not just any day; it is the day Allah revealed the verse:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)
This monumental moment happened on the plain of Arafah during the Prophet’s ﷺ Farewell Hajj. It was a declaration that Islam is complete, a mercy for all generations to come.
THE BEST DUA IS THE DUA OF ARAFAH
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah, and the best that I and the prophets before me have said is:
‘La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.’”
(Reported by Tirmidhi)
This simple yet powerful declaration of tawheed is the essence of dua. On this day, we are reminded that all needs, hopes, and dreams rest only with Allah, the One without partner.
A DAY OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY
Arafah is the day Allah frees more people from Hellfire than any other day. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He draws near and then boasts about them to the angels, saying: ‘What do these people want?’”
(Sahih Muslim)
This hadith highlights Allah’s generosity and mercy. It is a day when sins can be wiped away, hearts purified, and futures rewritten through sincere dua.
NOT JUST FOR THE PILGRIMS
While the pilgrims stand physically at Arafah, Muslims around the world are not deprived of its blessings. Fasting on the Day of Arafah for those not on Hajj is a sunnah that carries immense reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”
(Sahih Muslim)
For non-pilgrims, fasting, making dua, and remembering Allah allows them to share in the mercy of this sacred day.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE DAY
The Day of Arafah is too valuable to be wasted. Some ways to maximize it include:
Engage in constant dhikr, especially the dua of tawheed taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Raise your hands in sincere dua for yourself, your family, the Ummah, and the Hereafter.
Fast, if not performing Hajj, to earn expiation of sins.
Seek forgiveness and repent sincerely, as the gates of mercy are wide open.
Give charity and perform good deeds, as rewards are multiplied.
CONCLUSION
The Day of Arafah is a once-in-a-year opportunity that no believer should neglect. Whether standing on the plains of Arafah or in the quiet of your own home, it is the day to pour out your heart, seek forgiveness, and renew your connection with Allah.
The dua of Arafah teaches us that the best supplication is rooted in tawheed recognizing that there is no god but Allah, the One who holds all power, mercy, and provision.
