What Is the Day of Arafat?
The Day of Arafat is one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar. This day falls one day before Eid al-Adha and is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the month of the Hajj. On this blessed day, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat near Makkah to pray, make duas, and seek Allah's forgiveness.
When is the Day of ‘Arafah 2025?
In 2025, the Day of Arafat is expected to be on Thursday, June 5 in Saudi-Arabia and June 6 in Pakistan.
Why Is the Day of Arafat Important?
It is a day for purification, seeking Allah’s pleasure, and redemption.
It is a chance to renew our intentions and become closer to Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his Farewell Sermon on this day.
For those performing Hajj, standing at Arafat is the most crucial ritual. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Hajj is Arafah.” (Abu Dawud)
What Is Hajj?
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a unique pilgrimage that Muslims should strive to perform at least once in their lives if able.
Merits of the Day of Arafat:
Arafah is so honoured that Allah swore by it in His Book, as Arafah is the odd numbered day (the ninth) which is mentioned in Surat Al-Fajr:
وَالْفَجْرِ ﴿١وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ ﴿٢وَالشَّفْعِ وَالْوَتْرِ ﴿٣
“By the dawn. And (by) ten nights. And (by) the even and the odd.” (Al-Fajr 89:1-3)
A Day of Immense Forgiveness:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafat…” [Muslim]
Perfection of Islam:
Allah(SWT) revealed this verse on the day of Arafa when Prophet Muhammed (SAW) performed his Hajj
...الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” [Qur’an, 5:3]
It was during the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) final Hajj—known as Hijjatul Wida (the Farewell Pilgrimage)—that he delivered his famous Last Sermon on the plain of Arafat. In this sermon, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized justice, equality, the rights of others, and the importance of holding firmly to the teachings of Islam.
What Do Pilgrims Do on the Day of Arafat?
Pilgrims gather at the plains of Arafat on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. They combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers and spend the day making dua, facing the Qiblah until sunset, seeking forgiveness. This ritual is so crucial that Hajj is not valid without it.
Five Recommended Actions for the Day of Arafat
1. Make Dua
The Prophet ﷺ said,
"The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafat, and the best that I and the Prophets before me have said is:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
"There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He is over all things powerful."
[Tirmidhi]
2. Fast
For those not performing Hajj, fasting on the Day of Arafat expiates the sins of the previous and coming year. (Muslim)
Pilgrims at Arafat do not fast, focusing instead on worship and supplication.
3. Seek Forgiveness
Arafat is a day of great forgiveness. Even if not at Arafat, you can seek Allah’s mercy from anywhere.
Recommended Dua for Forgiveness:
اللهم إنك عفو كريم تحب العفو فاعف عني
(O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, Generous, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.)
أستغفر الله ربي من كل ذنب وأتوب إليه
(I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed, and I turn to Him in repentance.)
4. Make Dhikr: Takbir & Tahleel
The Prophet ﷺ recommended frequent recitation of Tahleel (لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ), Takbir (اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ), and Tahmeed (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ) throughout the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially on the Day of Arafat.
Talbiyah (تَلْبِيَة) should also be recited, especially by pilgrims:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
These phrases should be repeated often throughout the day.
Tip: Encourage children and family members to repeat these phrases throughout the day, as much as possible.
5. Give a Prophetic Qurbani
After arranging your own Qurbani, consider offering an extra sacrifice on behalf of others, following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Other Significant Duas for the Day of Arafat
You may make any personal dua, but here are some recommended ones:
The Best Dua of Arafat
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Dua for Goodness in This Life and the Next
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Tasbeeh for Purification
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
How Parents Can Guide Their Children about the Day of Arafat
- Explain the Significance Simply: Use child-friendly language to describe Arafat as a day of forgiveness and mercy.
- Share Stories and Lessons: Teach about Hajj, Mount Arafat, and the Prophet’s Last Sermon.
- Encourage Worship: Involve children in age-appropriate worship, such as fasting (for older kids), prayer, and making dua lists.
- Lead by Example: Let children see you engaging in extra prayers, Qur’an recitation, and acts of kindness.
- Create a Meaningful Atmosphere: Decorate the home, prepare a special meal, or set aside time for reflection.
- Promote Good Deeds: Encourage acts of kindness, charity, and forgiveness.
- Use Fun and Creative Tools: Engage children with coloring pages, crafts, storytelling videos, and “10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah” good deed charts.
Teaching children about the Day of Arafat helps them develop a love for Allah and a deeper understanding of Islam. By sharing stories, encouraging worship, and modeling good behavior, parents can make this day meaningful and spiritually uplifting for the whole family.
May Allah accept your worship and duas on this blessed day!
