The Day of Arafah is one of the most blessed days in the Islamic calendar.
It falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha, and it is the heart of the Hajj pilgrimage.
On this day, millions of pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah outside Makkah, raising their hands in dua, weeping and seeking the forgiveness of their Lord.
For Muslims who are not performing Hajj, the day is no less precious.
It is a day of fasting, remembrance and hope, a day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than on any other.
This article explains the virtues of the Day of Arafah, what makes it so special, the ruling and reward of fasting it, the best dua to make, and a practical plan for spending the day well, whether you are at home, at work or with your family.
Where and What Is Arafah?
Arafah, also called Arafat, is a wide plain about twenty kilometres east of Makkah. At its edge stands the Mount of Mercy, Jabal ar-Rahmah.
Pilgrims arrive there on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah and remain from after midday until sunset. This standing, known as wuquf, is the most essential pillar of Hajj.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Hajj is Arafah.” Whoever misses the standing at Arafah has missed the Hajj.
The name Arafah is linked by some scholars to the Arabic word for knowing or recognising.
Several explanations have been mentioned, including that it is where people acknowledge their sins before Allah and recognise His greatness and mercy.
Whatever the origin of the name, it is a place and a day of deep acknowledgement, humility and return to Allah.
The Virtues of the Day of Arafah
The day on which the religion was perfected
On the Day of Arafah during the Farewell Hajj, Allah revealed the verse: “This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favour upon you and approved for you Islam as religion” (Al-Ma’idah 5:3).
A Jewish man once said to Umar ibn al-Khattab that if this verse had been revealed to them, they would have taken that day as a celebration.
Umar replied that he knew exactly when and where it was revealed: on the Day of Arafah, which was a Friday. The day is already a celebration of the completion of the religion.
The day of freeing from the Fire
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He draws near, then He boasts about them to the angels and says: What do these people want?”
This hadith shows the immense mercy that descends on this day.
The pilgrims standing in humility are the subject of Allah’s pride before the angels, and His forgiveness extends widely.
An oath sworn by Allah
Many scholars explain that the “witnessed day” in Surah Al-Buruj and the “odd” in Surah Al-Fajr refer to the Day of Arafah.
Allah swears by the ten nights, the even and the odd at the opening of Surah Al-Fajr, and these are commonly explained as the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, with the odd being Arafah.
When Allah swears by something, it is a sign of its greatness.
The best day for dua
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best dua is the dua on the Day of Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.”
This makes Arafah the supreme day for asking Allah for everything you need in this world and the next.
Part of the best ten days of the year
The Day of Arafah falls within the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, about which the Prophet ﷺ said that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah. Arafah is the peak of these blessed days.
Fasting on the Day of Arafah
The reward
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah and said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”
This is an extraordinary reward for a single day of fasting. Scholars explain that the sins referred to are generally the minor sins, while major sins require sincere repentance.
Even so, this is one of the greatest opportunities of the year to wipe the slate clean.
Who should fast
Fasting on the Day of Arafah is a highly recommended sunnah for those who are not performing Hajj.
For the pilgrims themselves, the Prophet ﷺ did not fast on Arafah, and scholars generally say it is better for pilgrims not to fast so that they have strength for dua and worship during the standing.
Which day to fast
The fast is on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah.
Muslims living outside Saudi Arabia sometimes wonder whether to follow the day of the standing in Makkah or the ninth according to their local moon sighting.
Scholars have discussed this question, and many communities follow the local calendar while others follow the day of the standing.
Follow the guidance of the scholars and community you trust, and do not let this difference become a source of argument.
Making up Ramadan and Arafah
Some people who have missed fasts from Ramadan ask whether they can fast Arafah while also intending to make up a missed fast. Scholars have different views on combining intentions.
The safest approach is to make up obligatory fasts as soon as possible, and if you fast on Arafah, ask a trusted scholar about your specific situation.
The Best Dua for the Day of Arafah
The dua mentioned in the hadith is:
“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.”
Its meaning is: “There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over all things.”
This phrase is a declaration of tawheed, praise and trust in Allah’s power.
Repeating it many times throughout the day, especially in the afternoon, is a beautiful way to follow the Sunnah.
Beyond this, make dua for everything that matters to you: forgiveness, guidance, your family, your health, your provision, the ummah and the people who are suffering around the world.
Make dua in your own language and with your own words, from the heart.
Ideas for Your Arafah Dua List
Many people prepare a written list of duas before Arafah so they do not forget anything when the day arrives. Some ideas to include:
- Forgiveness for all your past sins, big and small, known and unknown.
- Steadfastness on the straight path until death.
- Acceptance of your prayers, fasting and good deeds.
- Guidance and righteousness for your spouse and children.
- Mercy and forgiveness for your parents, living or deceased.
- Halal, blessed provision and freedom from debt.
- Healing for the sick among your family and friends.
- Love of the Quran and the ability to learn and memorise it.
- Relief for oppressed and suffering Muslims around the world.
- A good end and entry into Paradise without reckoning.
A Practical Plan for the Day of Arafah
The night before
Prepare your suhoor, set an alarm and write your dua list. Sleep early so that you have energy for the day.
If possible, pray a few rak’ahs of night prayer and begin the day already in a state of remembrance.
Suhoor and Fajr
Wake for suhoor, eat a nourishing meal and drink water. Make the intention to fast.
Pray Fajr and remain in remembrance for a while afterwards, reciting the morning adhkar.
The morning
Recite the takbeer of Dhul Hijjah: “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.” The takbeer is a sunnah throughout these days.
Spend some time reading the Quran with reflection, perhaps choosing surahs about the Day of Judgement and the mercy of Allah.
Midday
After Dhuhr, the standing of the pilgrims begins at Arafah. This is the time to increase your dua and remembrance.
Even if you are at work, use your break to sit quietly and make dua.
The afternoon until Maghrib
The time from Asr until sunset is especially precious. Many scholars recommended dedicating this time entirely to dua.
Turn off your phone, face the qiblah, raise your hands and go through your dua list slowly, with sincerity and hope. Repeat the best dua of Arafah many times.
Iftar and the evening
Break your fast with dates and water and make dua at the moment of breaking the fast.
Then prepare for Eid al-Adha, which begins the next day, by purifying your intention for the sacrifice and planning the Eid prayer.
Arafah for Working People and Busy Parents
Not everyone can spend the whole day in the mosque or at home.
If you are working, fasting is still possible, and you can turn small moments into worship: say the dua of Arafah while commuting, recite takbeer under your breath, use lunch time for Quran and dua, and leave a little earlier if possible to spend the final hour before Maghrib in focused dua.
Busy parents can involve children by explaining what the pilgrims are doing, reciting takbeer together and asking each child to make their own dua list.
Even a few minutes of sincere dua on this day can be life-changing.
Arafah for Women Who Are Not Praying
Women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding cannot pray or fast, but they can still benefit greatly from the Day of Arafah.
They can make dua, recite dhikr, say the takbeer, seek forgiveness, give charity and listen to the Quran. The doors of dua are open to everyone on this day.
Lessons From the Day of Arafah
The scene of Arafah is a powerful reminder of the Day of Judgement.
Millions of people stand on one plain, dressed in simple white garments, with no distinctions of wealth or status, all turning to the same Lord.
It reminds us that one day we will all stand before Allah in a similar way. It also teaches equality and unity, as people of every race and nation stand side by side.
The Day of Arafah also teaches hope. No matter how many mistakes a person has made, Allah opens the door of forgiveness wide on this day.
The Prophet ﷺ described Shaytan as never being more humiliated or enraged than on the Day of Arafah, because of the mercy that descends and the sins that are forgiven.
Finally, the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet ﷺ was delivered at Arafah.
In it he spoke about the sanctity of life, wealth and honour, the rights of women, the abolition of injustice and the equality of all people.
Reflecting on this sermon on the Day of Arafah renews our commitment to justice and good character.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Day of Arafah?
It is the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha.
What is the reward for fasting on the Day of Arafah?
The Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.
Should pilgrims fast on Arafah?
Pilgrims generally do not fast on Arafah, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ, so they have strength for worship.
What is the best dua for the Day of Arafah?
“La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.”
Can I make dua in my own language?
Yes. Dua can be made in any language, and speaking to Allah from the heart is encouraged.
Final Thoughts
The Day of Arafah comes only once a year, and it carries mercy, forgiveness and opportunity unlike any other day.
Prepare for it in advance, fast if you are not on Hajj, write your dua list, and dedicate the afternoon to sincere supplication.
Ask Allah for everything you need, for yourself, your family and the whole ummah. A single day spent well on Arafah may change the course of your life and your hereafter.
Prepare the duas you want to make on Arafah.