What is the Day of Arafah?

📅 What is the Day of Arafah?

The Day of Arafah (Yawm Arafah) is observed on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the Islamic lunar calendar’s final month. It’s the most important day of Hajj and one of the holiest days in Islam. Millions of pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, in deep prayer and repentance.Even for those not performing Hajj, this day is a powerful opportunity for spiritual growth, forgiveness, and rewards.

Date: 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final Islamic month)

Event: The day before Eid al-Adha.

Location significance: The Day when pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat, near Makkah.

The main ritual of Hajj takes place on this day:

• Standing in prayer and supplication at Mount Arafah is essential to a valid Hajj.
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Hajj is Arafah.” — (Tirmidhi)
• Pilgrims stand from Zuhr (midday) to Maghrib (sunset), asking Allah for forgiveness and making du’a.

• It’s a chance to wipe away all past sins.
• Many return from Hajj like a newborn child, sinless.

You don’t have to be on Hajj to benefit from the Day of Arafah:

• Reward: Expiation of sins for 1 years (past and future).
• Hadith (Sahih Muslim): “Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, will expiate the sins of the year before and the year after.”
• Note: Only non-pilgrims are encouraged to fast. Pilgrims should not fast, as they need energy for the rituals.

• Prophet ﷺ said: “The best supplication is the one on the Day of Arafah.”
  — (Tirmidhi)
• Best dhikr (remembrance): لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
  (La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah…)
• This dhikr was most frequently recited by the Prophet ﷺ on this day.

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than on the Day of Arafah.”
  — (Muslim)
• A powerful day of repentance, mercy, and hope.

• While millions gather at Arafah, the rest of the Ummah joins spiritually through fasting, worship, and du’a.
• It’s a day of global Islamic unity and collective devotion.

“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 verse was revealed on the Day of Arafah, during the Prophet’s (ﷺ) last Hajj.

“Al-Hajj ‘Arafah.”
— (Sunan Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i – Sahih)

• Meaning: “Hajj is Arafah” – standing at Arafah is the central pillar of Hajj.

“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah.”
— (Sahih Muslim, 1348)

• Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are at their peak.

“Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”
— (Sahih Muslim, 1162)

• Enormous reward: 2 years of sins forgiven for one fast.

“The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah. And the best that I and the Prophets before me have said is:

‘Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahu’l-mulku wa lahu’l-ḥamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.’”**
— (Tirmidhi, Hasan)

• This is the greatest dhikr (remembrance) on that day.

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (first 10 of Dhul-Hijjah).”
— (Sahih Bukhari, 969)

• The Day of Arafah is the best among these ten.

“But Allah is ever Accepting of repentance and Merciful.”
— (Surah An-Nisa 4:16)

• Arafah is the best time to seek forgiveness, renew faith, and resolve to change.

• While millions gather at Arafah, the entire Muslim world fasts and prays—symbolizing unity in worship.